Vinnie Got Blown Away

by Jeremy Cameron

Darkly comic, stylish and violent, this offers a radical contrast from the British tradition of a murder mystery among the middle classes. Nicky Burkett finds his childhood friend Vinnie dead at the bottom of a tower block and he and his mates' code of conduct makes revenge inevitable. The result is a hilarious hybrid of Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino.

Genres: Crime

180 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[Graham Hardman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a real pleasure reading this. It’s different to anything else I have read. I couldn’t help liking the narrator Nicky even if I had to work hard at understanding him.
Highly recommended.

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most British crime novels tell their tale from the perspective of the police, or have a middle-class sensibility running through them. Vinnie Got Blown Away, first published in 1995, however, is told from the perspective of a habitual petty criminal and is set amongst the working and benefits class estates of Walthamstow in outer London. More than that, Cameron writes in a style that captures the inner dialogue and thoughts of his protagonist, nineteen year old, Nicky Burnett. The result is a tale that captures the social realities of urban youth, casual crime, single parenthood and broken families. Yet the story is not a grim, grey read, but rather has a vibrancy sustained by dark humour and well penned characters. The tale is told through two intersecting plotlines: Nicky’s attempt to persuade friends and acquaintances to seek revenge for the murder of his best friend, Vinnie; and an account of Nicky’s time behind bars and his observations about how to survive. Although relatively linear and short, it’s an engaging and compelling read that at times really sparkles (I particularly liked the section on learning French and a school trip to France). Overall, an interesting tale of loyalty, courage and revenge that ends with a hack of bang.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your crime plunked firmly in the gritty environs of East London, triple-glazed with slang, and peopled by a colorful hodge-podge of the petty criminals and a few hard cases, here 'tis. The story is a basic first-person account by a young hustler of his efforts to revenge the killing of his childhood(lum) friend, Vinnie. He's got to hustle to stay alive and put all the pieces together to pull it off, and each chapter alternates between that tale and him writing from behind prison bars. Between the two, we get a good idea of who our hero is and where he comes from. It's a fun romp. If you like this, check out the following: Throwing the House out the Window, Diamond Geezers, A White Merc With Fins, London Noir, and the film Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely superb little book, written in a unique style reminiscent of Clockwork Orange - but it works so very well. Fizzes along at a blistering pace. Highly recommended.

[Linda Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed, but sometimes a little hard to get into and not really interested in more of this style.