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The Sydney Quartet
Flank Street: In The Sydney Underworld
Career criminal Micky DeWitt washes up in Sydney with nothing more than a run down yacht and his wits. He’d no CV, and no skills other than those earned by any dedicated career criminal. His twisted inertia draws him to the only place where he can survive; Kings Cross, Sydney's red-light district.
He takes a job as barman, and after a while, he's approached by the sultry and seductive Carol. She needs something stolen from a lawyer's safe and sweet-talks Micky into helping her.
Nothing is what it seems as Micky falls into a honey trap that spins his life out of control, backs him into a corner, and no matter which way he jumps, someone’s going to get hurt.
His decision leads him into a hedonistic free-fall that pushes him to the edge of insanity before finally finding a warped redemption.
He takes a job as barman, and after a while, he's approached by the sultry and seductive Carol. She needs something stolen from a lawyer's safe and sweet-talks Micky into helping her.
Nothing is what it seems as Micky falls into a honey trap that spins his life out of control, backs him into a corner, and no matter which way he jumps, someone’s going to get hurt.
His decision leads him into a hedonistic free-fall that pushes him to the edge of insanity before finally finding a warped redemption.
- GenresThriller
310 pages, ebook
First published May 15, 2015
38 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Sendall
12 books42 followersA.J. Sendall is the author of gritty suspense novels, including The Sydney Quartet.
His latest novel, ‘Waterloo Bridge' was released in November 2022.
The next novel, a psychological suspense thriller set in northeast England, is due for release autumn-2025.
His latest novel, ‘Waterloo Bridge' was released in November 2022.
The next novel, a psychological suspense thriller set in northeast England, is due for release autumn-2025.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 11, 2015
There is something to be said about an author who writes a book that is so captivating you forget everything else that is happening around you. Flank Street did this to me. Mickey's exploits are so descriptive and so captivating, you cannot put this book down for a minute without wondering what you are missing out on.
I did feel as if the dialogue was a stilted on a few occasions. Otherwise the writing is excellent. The plot is suspenseful, the characters well-developed and most of all the action scenes were realistic.
Despite the very minor setbacks of this story, this is an author who shows promise and I will keep reading books by him.
Reviewer Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I did feel as if the dialogue was a stilted on a few occasions. Otherwise the writing is excellent. The plot is suspenseful, the characters well-developed and most of all the action scenes were realistic.
Despite the very minor setbacks of this story, this is an author who shows promise and I will keep reading books by him.
Reviewer Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 15, 2018
Flank Street - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Micky DeWitt's a loner and a chancer, unafraid to live under the radar of everyday legalities and rules that bind the upright citizens who comprise his meal tickets in between sporadic jobs to enable him to find his next 'marks'.
Arriving on his yacht in Australia, he picks up a bar manager's job and schmoozes Meagan the smart, sassy barmaid into keeping the bar (and his bed) fully functioning, before getting manager for the Mob', Lenny sacked and taking over the whole shebang. It seems life is pretty rosy for Micky, but he's never satisfied - even when he knows he's playing with fire!
Who is Carol and where do they meet? What does Carol ask Micky to do for her? Does he agree?
How does Micky please the club's owner Sonny? How does he amend his orders? Who's the target?
What happens to them? Why is Carol's car left on a cliff top? Why does Micky go on a bender?
How is Meagan killed? Who was responsible? Who ordered it done? What happens next?
This clever, psychological murder-mystery is an absolute must for fans of Ruth Rendell, Clive Cussler and Agatha Christie, with its twists and turns and sub-plots and a ruthless criminal mastermind, who appears a completely laid-back and debonair wanderer of the high seas, when the opposite is true. A definite winner for AJ Sendall, an author I'd like to read much more from!
Micky DeWitt's a loner and a chancer, unafraid to live under the radar of everyday legalities and rules that bind the upright citizens who comprise his meal tickets in between sporadic jobs to enable him to find his next 'marks'.
Arriving on his yacht in Australia, he picks up a bar manager's job and schmoozes Meagan the smart, sassy barmaid into keeping the bar (and his bed) fully functioning, before getting manager for the Mob', Lenny sacked and taking over the whole shebang. It seems life is pretty rosy for Micky, but he's never satisfied - even when he knows he's playing with fire!
Who is Carol and where do they meet? What does Carol ask Micky to do for her? Does he agree?
How does Micky please the club's owner Sonny? How does he amend his orders? Who's the target?
What happens to them? Why is Carol's car left on a cliff top? Why does Micky go on a bender?
How is Meagan killed? Who was responsible? Who ordered it done? What happens next?
This clever, psychological murder-mystery is an absolute must for fans of Ruth Rendell, Clive Cussler and Agatha Christie, with its twists and turns and sub-plots and a ruthless criminal mastermind, who appears a completely laid-back and debonair wanderer of the high seas, when the opposite is true. A definite winner for AJ Sendall, an author I'd like to read much more from!
August 30, 2015
The author's imagination of Australia's underworld was quick to captivate me and draw me into the story. Every time the action got heated up, I was sure my heart rate sped up too. The author's writing style makes this a quick read and following Micky on his pursuits became my favourite pastime as long as I had this book open. The Sydney Underworld is exposed in all its glory from Micky's point of view but this did not mean the story lacked in mystery or suspense. Sendall goes out of his way to ensure the reader receives a full dose of both.
The bad guy / good guy images in this book are predictable but despite Micky's flaws, he will have you rooting for him. At a glance, the women in Micky's life are not treated as they should be but Sendall's portrayal of this is not entirely to demean a woman's role in life or fiction. You understand more of why women are depicted the way they are and like much of the story, these potrayals do not run from the era of when the story is set in. Highly recommended for any crime noir fans.
*****I received a free book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The bad guy / good guy images in this book are predictable but despite Micky's flaws, he will have you rooting for him. At a glance, the women in Micky's life are not treated as they should be but Sendall's portrayal of this is not entirely to demean a woman's role in life or fiction. You understand more of why women are depicted the way they are and like much of the story, these potrayals do not run from the era of when the story is set in. Highly recommended for any crime noir fans.
*****I received a free book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 24, 2015
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a noir thriller, and especially to anyone who has visited the seedy side of Kings Cross, Sydney, in the last century.
Sendall has a terse but appealing style that works well for this book, and it's never really clear what's going to happen around the corner as he provides some unpredictable surprises en route.
Crime, underworld, personal and business relationships, along with some good descriptions of the Sydney environment make this well worth a read.
Sendall has a terse but appealing style that works well for this book, and it's never really clear what's going to happen around the corner as he provides some unpredictable surprises en route.
Crime, underworld, personal and business relationships, along with some good descriptions of the Sydney environment make this well worth a read.
June 24, 2020
Setting: Sydney, Australia. The main character and unreliable narrator of the story is career criminal Micky DeWitt, recently sailed into Sydney harbour with his yacht and little else - so he immediately seeks out the dark underbelly of the city in order to make a living and seek further criminal opportunities. The way Micky tells his story led me as the reader to have quite a degree of empathy with the character - even when he reveals his 'unreliability' as a narrator at the end! - and I quite enjoyed this 'crime story with a difference' as it was centred around the criminal fraternity rather than the law enforcers. Will probably look for more in the quartet although it is apparent from the blurb that there is little that links the books together apart from their setting - 9/10.
March 5, 2023
Un buon libro con una sorpresa inaspettata alla fine. Devi leggere l'epilogo.
August 21, 2021
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include FLANK STREET (The Sydney Quartet #1) by A.J. SENDALL in the library of Awesome Indies'
Seal of Excellence
recipients.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (5 stars):
Grifter Micky deWitt sails into Sydney. It’s the 1990s and all we know about him is that he knows how to handle a gun and has had to keep moving. From Hamburg to London, to Boston and Antigua, every time Micky ties up his boat in a new country, he lands himself in a heap of trouble. Is he merely moving on, or is he running away, even Micky doesn’t really know.
So why would Australia be any different? He becomes a ‘burglar, barhop and arsonist’ in King’s Cross, Sydney’s red light district, where tourists, locals, gangsters and sex workers go about their daily business.
Written in the first person, Micky’s observes the dysfunctional world around him with suspicion. And he’s right. You can’t trust anyone who inhabits Sydney’s underbelly, least of all Micky. In Micky, the author has created a most unreliable narrator. And even though this reader didn’t particularly like him, the characterisation is utterly convincing, as is the depiction of King’s Cross at the time (pre-Olympics and before the high earning corporates moved in.)
When Micky needs to escape the grimy inner city, he jumps on board his boat Nina, raising the mainsail, sailing from the relative calm of Pittwater out to the open sea at North Head. Rich in detail, Flank Street is so skillfully written, that it hooked this reader, despite lacking a subplot that might have allowed the writer to vary the pace. We never do find out what was Micky’s back story as the writer withholds this information from us, but that just adds, rather than detracts from the mystery.
Micky’s casual sexism may annoy, but it isn’t out of place in this story or genre, particularly given the setting and the era. And Micky’s characterisation is sufficiently complex for this reader to overcome any negative aspects of the world he inhabits.
The two female characters, worldly-wise Carol and the sweet and vulnerable Meagan, come across as fully realised, three-dimensional characters. When Micky first meets Carol he makes assumptions about her based on the way she presents herself to the world. But as he gets to know her, he (and we) find out that she has depth and intelligence that are not immediately revealed. The dialogue is short, sharp and terse, with just the right amount of street talk to make Flank Street a compelling read for fans of hard-boiled crime fiction. Five stars.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (5 stars):
Grifter Micky deWitt sails into Sydney. It’s the 1990s and all we know about him is that he knows how to handle a gun and has had to keep moving. From Hamburg to London, to Boston and Antigua, every time Micky ties up his boat in a new country, he lands himself in a heap of trouble. Is he merely moving on, or is he running away, even Micky doesn’t really know.
So why would Australia be any different? He becomes a ‘burglar, barhop and arsonist’ in King’s Cross, Sydney’s red light district, where tourists, locals, gangsters and sex workers go about their daily business.
Written in the first person, Micky’s observes the dysfunctional world around him with suspicion. And he’s right. You can’t trust anyone who inhabits Sydney’s underbelly, least of all Micky. In Micky, the author has created a most unreliable narrator. And even though this reader didn’t particularly like him, the characterisation is utterly convincing, as is the depiction of King’s Cross at the time (pre-Olympics and before the high earning corporates moved in.)
When Micky needs to escape the grimy inner city, he jumps on board his boat Nina, raising the mainsail, sailing from the relative calm of Pittwater out to the open sea at North Head. Rich in detail, Flank Street is so skillfully written, that it hooked this reader, despite lacking a subplot that might have allowed the writer to vary the pace. We never do find out what was Micky’s back story as the writer withholds this information from us, but that just adds, rather than detracts from the mystery.
Micky’s casual sexism may annoy, but it isn’t out of place in this story or genre, particularly given the setting and the era. And Micky’s characterisation is sufficiently complex for this reader to overcome any negative aspects of the world he inhabits.
The two female characters, worldly-wise Carol and the sweet and vulnerable Meagan, come across as fully realised, three-dimensional characters. When Micky first meets Carol he makes assumptions about her based on the way she presents herself to the world. But as he gets to know her, he (and we) find out that she has depth and intelligence that are not immediately revealed. The dialogue is short, sharp and terse, with just the right amount of street talk to make Flank Street a compelling read for fans of hard-boiled crime fiction. Five stars.
July 22, 2015
This engrossing story of the Sydney underworld is based in Kings Cross in the early nineties, home to prostitutes, gambling, drugs, and violence, run by a crime boss who is determined to hold onto his lucrative patch.
British Micky turns up on his boat in Sydney, looking for criminal opportunities to make money and he heads for The Cross. The book charts his highs and lows; he goes from having hundreds of thousands of dollars and blowing them on gambling, women, and alcohol, to living on the street.
He's a complex character with an indeterminate past, all we know is he's been around a bit, but we learn this isn't his first encounter with crime.
It's very much a crime noir novel, in terms of style, characters and dialogue, and with the protagonist playing the anti-hero for the most part, yet, he appears to have some scruples. The writing is terse, simple, and in the first person. We see the world through Micky's eyes and his alone. And, we come to know the women he meets, or we know them as much as he does. With everyone, there is always a question about who they truly are. The story focuses on how people establish relationships when no one can really trust anyone.
Sendall keeps the mystery and intrigue going throughout the book, with an amazing epilogue.
He also uses the prologue in an interesting way, in that he starts with the ending of the story to introduce how he arrived at his current position in Sydney. I liked the originality with the way he has used traditional novel construction for his own ends. Somewhat like his main character uses everyone, and who is after all, the narrator. Rather than chapter numbers, Sellars uses clever and appropriate titles for each chapter too.
This book is a page-turner for anyone who likes noir thrillers/mysteries/ I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.
British Micky turns up on his boat in Sydney, looking for criminal opportunities to make money and he heads for The Cross. The book charts his highs and lows; he goes from having hundreds of thousands of dollars and blowing them on gambling, women, and alcohol, to living on the street.
He's a complex character with an indeterminate past, all we know is he's been around a bit, but we learn this isn't his first encounter with crime.
It's very much a crime noir novel, in terms of style, characters and dialogue, and with the protagonist playing the anti-hero for the most part, yet, he appears to have some scruples. The writing is terse, simple, and in the first person. We see the world through Micky's eyes and his alone. And, we come to know the women he meets, or we know them as much as he does. With everyone, there is always a question about who they truly are. The story focuses on how people establish relationships when no one can really trust anyone.
Sendall keeps the mystery and intrigue going throughout the book, with an amazing epilogue.
He also uses the prologue in an interesting way, in that he starts with the ending of the story to introduce how he arrived at his current position in Sydney. I liked the originality with the way he has used traditional novel construction for his own ends. Somewhat like his main character uses everyone, and who is after all, the narrator. Rather than chapter numbers, Sellars uses clever and appropriate titles for each chapter too.
This book is a page-turner for anyone who likes noir thrillers/mysteries/ I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.
July 8, 2015
Flank Street by A J Sendall
I really enjoyed Heather by Sendall, so decided to read Flank Street as well. The story sees Micky become embroiled in the Sydney underworld by firstly upsetting the locals and then accepting a few jobs to correct his mistakes. I enjoyed the story and Sendall weaves a good plot and his knowledge of Sydney and sailing is obvious. I will recommend this book to those who like an easy read thriller; however there is a twist at the end and quite honestly I wished I had not read the epilogue, for me it ruined the whole book and I felt it was a better book without it.
I really enjoyed Heather by Sendall, so decided to read Flank Street as well. The story sees Micky become embroiled in the Sydney underworld by firstly upsetting the locals and then accepting a few jobs to correct his mistakes. I enjoyed the story and Sendall weaves a good plot and his knowledge of Sydney and sailing is obvious. I will recommend this book to those who like an easy read thriller; however there is a twist at the end and quite honestly I wished I had not read the epilogue, for me it ruined the whole book and I felt it was a better book without it.
September 26, 2016
We are proud to announce that FLANK STREET by A.J. Sendall is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
April 4, 2018
S good read
Very enjoyable read but what a Bayard the so called hero is ..you get to like him feel sorry for him then the end hits you
Very enjoyable read but what a Bayard the so called hero is ..you get to like him feel sorry for him then the end hits you
May 11, 2015
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author for review.
This is the second book in the Sydney Underworld series and takes place before the events set in Heather but remains connected to the life at Kings Cross and includes many familiar faces. It was interesting to read about what the Cross was like before Loretto Reed took over and where certain characters started out, and knowing how the story pans out it was great to see little clues and references scattered throughout. Reading this also made me realise I had made assumptions in Heather which I hadn't noticed, and having read Heather it made this a better read as well because there was a deeper understanding of even minor characters.
Told from a first person perspective Flank Street focuses on Micky, a guy with a mysterious past who turns up to Sydney on his boat with the intention of getting involved with the underbelly of Sydney life. I liked Micky's no-nonsense approach, he knew what he wanted and he went out and got it. His history is not really known and while he makes passing references to where he has been, there is still not a lot known about him. While I would love to know more about Micky's history it isn't important to the story and it also made him fit in well with his new life, someone with secrets, a vague past, with a certain set of skills.
Having only heard about Carol in snippets previously it was easy to see her as a victim, but getting to know her makes you realise she isn't the nicest person, nor is she that innocent. From early on Carol got little sympathy for me, she was manipulative and selfish and it appears she has secrets of her own. Her association with Micky was curious, never quite trusting one another and both trying to get something from the other. Micky isn't a fool, he is smart and he is wary but he does get talked into things. Even after telling himself she is not to be trusted that she is playing him, he still goes along with her ideas, against his gut instinct.
I loved getting back into the gritty Underworld of Sydney, albeit from a different angle. Sendall captures the atmosphere of that life and the control one person can have over a place but doesn't make it too over the top, unrealistic, or even overly dramatic. The hidden threat and the secret agenda of nearly everyone involved means that everyone can be hiding something and not really knowing what people are thinking or are capable of makes for an enthralling read.
Much like Heather this story is one of boats, the underworld, and an outsider looking for a way in, but Sendall makes it much more than that. He has managed to create an elaborate story with intricate connections and complex and mysterious characters that all come together in an engaging and clever read. Flank Street is a wonderful continuation of the series and with a conclusion that boggles your mind and makes you rethink everything you have read Sendall makes sure to uphold your interest and eagerness for the next book in the series.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
This is the second book in the Sydney Underworld series and takes place before the events set in Heather but remains connected to the life at Kings Cross and includes many familiar faces. It was interesting to read about what the Cross was like before Loretto Reed took over and where certain characters started out, and knowing how the story pans out it was great to see little clues and references scattered throughout. Reading this also made me realise I had made assumptions in Heather which I hadn't noticed, and having read Heather it made this a better read as well because there was a deeper understanding of even minor characters.
Told from a first person perspective Flank Street focuses on Micky, a guy with a mysterious past who turns up to Sydney on his boat with the intention of getting involved with the underbelly of Sydney life. I liked Micky's no-nonsense approach, he knew what he wanted and he went out and got it. His history is not really known and while he makes passing references to where he has been, there is still not a lot known about him. While I would love to know more about Micky's history it isn't important to the story and it also made him fit in well with his new life, someone with secrets, a vague past, with a certain set of skills.
Having only heard about Carol in snippets previously it was easy to see her as a victim, but getting to know her makes you realise she isn't the nicest person, nor is she that innocent. From early on Carol got little sympathy for me, she was manipulative and selfish and it appears she has secrets of her own. Her association with Micky was curious, never quite trusting one another and both trying to get something from the other. Micky isn't a fool, he is smart and he is wary but he does get talked into things. Even after telling himself she is not to be trusted that she is playing him, he still goes along with her ideas, against his gut instinct.
I loved getting back into the gritty Underworld of Sydney, albeit from a different angle. Sendall captures the atmosphere of that life and the control one person can have over a place but doesn't make it too over the top, unrealistic, or even overly dramatic. The hidden threat and the secret agenda of nearly everyone involved means that everyone can be hiding something and not really knowing what people are thinking or are capable of makes for an enthralling read.
Much like Heather this story is one of boats, the underworld, and an outsider looking for a way in, but Sendall makes it much more than that. He has managed to create an elaborate story with intricate connections and complex and mysterious characters that all come together in an engaging and clever read. Flank Street is a wonderful continuation of the series and with a conclusion that boggles your mind and makes you rethink everything you have read Sendall makes sure to uphold your interest and eagerness for the next book in the series.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
September 26, 2015
^^Thank you to the author/publisher for sharing this book with me. I received this book free of charge in return for an unbiased review.^^
Well worth the time time with colourful characters and an interesting set up based in Australia. The beginning dragged a little bit but a high sense of suspense came later in the story and I didn't want to stop reading. Micky's point of view has an Al Pacino feel and I loved any action scene in the story because of him.
Sometimes the story moved to unpleasant territory which I wasn't a big fan of. I know the book title clearly indicates "Sydney Underworld", however, some images I could have done without. If it's mystery and suspense you are after, this book delivers.
Well worth the time time with colourful characters and an interesting set up based in Australia. The beginning dragged a little bit but a high sense of suspense came later in the story and I didn't want to stop reading. Micky's point of view has an Al Pacino feel and I loved any action scene in the story because of him.
Sometimes the story moved to unpleasant territory which I wasn't a big fan of. I know the book title clearly indicates "Sydney Underworld", however, some images I could have done without. If it's mystery and suspense you are after, this book delivers.
December 7, 2015
Well, well, well ... What a read! I decided to read this book because it was recently given a 5 star review by Awesome Indies, which is a pretty good recommendation. That, and it's set in Australia. And I certainly wasn't disappointed! This book has intrigue, romance, mystery - and it all takes place in the famous Kings Cross district in the heart of Sydney. The main character and narrator, Micky Dewitt, is the most likeable thug I've ever encountered, and his story kept me engaged from start to finish. Well written in every respect.
October 7, 2016
This was okay. The writing was fine and it was well-edited on a sentence to paragraph level, but I didn't like any of the characters and didn't understand why they did what they did so as a story, it didn't work for me.
March 1, 2016
If you enjoy good crime stories, you will enjoy this author. I would never make a 'good' criminal!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews