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Boxer Boys #1-3
Boxer Boys Collection
Some Family feuds just won’t go away…
For 40 years the Marshalls and the Dolans have lived side by side on the same rundown London housing estate.
Gary Marshall and Arnie Dolan forge a close friendship in CROSSING THE WHITEWASH, forming a teen gang called the Boxer Boys to fight constant battles both on the streets and at home. But while they are inseparable, the relationship between their parents is complicated and, at times, toxic.
Their animosity has its roots in the early 80s when Margaret's Thatcher Government was in power and the country's armed forces were fighting over a group of islands 6,000 miles away in the South Atlantic, a period covered in second novel SPARK OUT.
As Gary and Arnie grow older and tragedy strikes, they begin to realise in DYING SECONDS that their entire upbringing has been built on a web of secrets and lies.
For 40 years the Marshalls and the Dolans have lived side by side on the same rundown London housing estate.
Gary Marshall and Arnie Dolan forge a close friendship in CROSSING THE WHITEWASH, forming a teen gang called the Boxer Boys to fight constant battles both on the streets and at home. But while they are inseparable, the relationship between their parents is complicated and, at times, toxic.
Their animosity has its roots in the early 80s when Margaret's Thatcher Government was in power and the country's armed forces were fighting over a group of islands 6,000 miles away in the South Atlantic, a period covered in second novel SPARK OUT.
As Gary and Arnie grow older and tragedy strikes, they begin to realise in DYING SECONDS that their entire upbringing has been built on a web of secrets and lies.
ebook
Published September 9, 2019
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About the author
Nick Rippington
9 books57 followersNick Rippington is the award-winning author of gangland and psychological thrillers.
The first novel in his Boxer Boys series Crossing the Whitewash received an honourable mention in the genre category in the Writer's Digest 2016 self-published eBook awards. Judges describing it as "Evocative, unique, unfailingly precise and often humorous".
The prequel Spark Out was released in July 2017 at the Books Go Social Dublin Writers' Conference, winning a readers' award from Chill With A Book. Readers felt it was "compelling" with an "unexpected twist".
The next book in the series Dying Seconds topped the Amazon Chart for Contemporary Urban Fiction giveaways with 350 downloads in two days and the fourth book in the seris was Bare Lies.
The Boxer Boys Collection containing the first three books is available as a digital box-set and hit the top 20 in the Contemporary Urban Fiction category for paid-for titles.
In a departure from the genre, Nick released the psychological thriller Rabette Run which was followed by a successful blog tour in April 2020.
In March 2024 a Boxer Boys spin-off The Jagged Scar , focusing on London's Soho district in the 1970s, was released on digital and in paperback.
A former Welsh sports editor of the News of the World, Nick now works on the Daily Star sports desk. He is married to Liz and has two daughters. He lives in Suffolk.
The first novel in his Boxer Boys series Crossing the Whitewash received an honourable mention in the genre category in the Writer's Digest 2016 self-published eBook awards. Judges describing it as "Evocative, unique, unfailingly precise and often humorous".
The prequel Spark Out was released in July 2017 at the Books Go Social Dublin Writers' Conference, winning a readers' award from Chill With A Book. Readers felt it was "compelling" with an "unexpected twist".
The next book in the series Dying Seconds topped the Amazon Chart for Contemporary Urban Fiction giveaways with 350 downloads in two days and the fourth book in the seris was Bare Lies.
The Boxer Boys Collection containing the first three books is available as a digital box-set and hit the top 20 in the Contemporary Urban Fiction category for paid-for titles.
In a departure from the genre, Nick released the psychological thriller Rabette Run which was followed by a successful blog tour in April 2020.
In March 2024 a Boxer Boys spin-off The Jagged Scar , focusing on London's Soho district in the 1970s, was released on digital and in paperback.
A former Welsh sports editor of the News of the World, Nick now works on the Daily Star sports desk. He is married to Liz and has two daughters. He lives in Suffolk.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 8, 2019
The Boxer Boys collection presents three thrilling, interconnected stories about the exploits of the Dolan and Marshall crime families and the friction between them. I would advise these be read in order for the best experience as each book very much continues the story from the previous.
Crossing the Whitewash starts the series off with a bang and we are taken on a compulsively readable journey with twisty surprises galore and writing that has grit and drama to it. It follows the impact of a traumatising event witnessed by Arnie Dolan and Gary Marshall when they were teenagers. What could be so bad that Gary upped sticks and moved away from the area as well as changed his name? This is a gripping cross between a family saga and a gritty gangland thriller and never failed to keep me reading. The way the family and gangland issues are intertwined here is mighty impressive and makes the book all the more compelling. You are never given a moment to breathe, so if this is anything to go by I am really excited about the two upcoming instalments.
I immediately moved on to the second book, Spark Out, and it didn't disappoint. This is a more politicised novel; I definitely enjoyed that aspect of it in particular but don't want to give too much away as these books work best when you go in blind. The story is well written and thought out with plenty of action and the tension slowly rising with each turn of the page. Rippington has a keen eye for detail and the sharp dialogue is realistic and well done. The setting of 1980s London, with Margaret Thatcher in power, tension running high regarding the Falklands War, and a general sense of unease and disillusionment amongst the populace, was portrayed superbly. This is another page-turner from the pen of award-winner Mr Rippington with an unexpected ending.
Dying Seconds, the third and final novel in the series is a stonker of a gangland thriller. Gritty, intense and impossible to put down, this is certainly not for the faint-hearted or those distressed by graphic violence. The sense of time and place are both fantastic, references to current events help with that, just as they did in previous instalments. The characters are larger than life, demand your attention and truly come alive on the page, and although this is a criminal world most of us will have never experienced ourselves, I felt the characters remained believable and authentic. It has an excellent array of ingredients that added up to a very tasty urban thriller - emotion, humorous moments, an exciting plot, mesmerising characters, and a satisfying climax. Many thanks to BOTBS for an ARC.
Crossing the Whitewash starts the series off with a bang and we are taken on a compulsively readable journey with twisty surprises galore and writing that has grit and drama to it. It follows the impact of a traumatising event witnessed by Arnie Dolan and Gary Marshall when they were teenagers. What could be so bad that Gary upped sticks and moved away from the area as well as changed his name? This is a gripping cross between a family saga and a gritty gangland thriller and never failed to keep me reading. The way the family and gangland issues are intertwined here is mighty impressive and makes the book all the more compelling. You are never given a moment to breathe, so if this is anything to go by I am really excited about the two upcoming instalments.
I immediately moved on to the second book, Spark Out, and it didn't disappoint. This is a more politicised novel; I definitely enjoyed that aspect of it in particular but don't want to give too much away as these books work best when you go in blind. The story is well written and thought out with plenty of action and the tension slowly rising with each turn of the page. Rippington has a keen eye for detail and the sharp dialogue is realistic and well done. The setting of 1980s London, with Margaret Thatcher in power, tension running high regarding the Falklands War, and a general sense of unease and disillusionment amongst the populace, was portrayed superbly. This is another page-turner from the pen of award-winner Mr Rippington with an unexpected ending.
Dying Seconds, the third and final novel in the series is a stonker of a gangland thriller. Gritty, intense and impossible to put down, this is certainly not for the faint-hearted or those distressed by graphic violence. The sense of time and place are both fantastic, references to current events help with that, just as they did in previous instalments. The characters are larger than life, demand your attention and truly come alive on the page, and although this is a criminal world most of us will have never experienced ourselves, I felt the characters remained believable and authentic. It has an excellent array of ingredients that added up to a very tasty urban thriller - emotion, humorous moments, an exciting plot, mesmerising characters, and a satisfying climax. Many thanks to BOTBS for an ARC.
September 7, 2019
Here is my review of each of the books separately.
Crossing the Whitewash
When I picked this up I didn’t realise there’d be sports in it. Now I’m not a sporty person and when sports is mentioned I usually tune out. However I really enjoyed this read so well done to the author for keeping my attention.
Gary Marshall and Arnie Dolan are two completely different kinda characters who became friends when they were thirteen.
One afternoon something happens that changes their lives forever.
When the story jumps forward we find that Gary has moved away and changed his name to Gareth.
Although Gareth wants to forget his past it’s about to come back and haunt him.
This is a brilliant read and I can’t wait to jump into book two.
Spark Out
This is book two in the Boxer Boys series. I highly recommend you read Crossing the Whitewash before you read this one.
Another subject I don’t like reading or talking about is politics yet this author managed to keep me reading.
Big Mo is a force to be reckoned with. He is a nasty crook who will do anything to get what he wants.
Well told story with a good storyline
Dying Seconds
This is the third book in the Boxer Boys series. I do recommend you read the previous two books.
Bad guy Arnie Dolan is back.
Gary Marshall now known as Gareth Prince is trying again to put his past behind him.
A murder forces these two together to find out who killed Marshall’s father.
There is lots going on in this story yet it kept my attention throughout. This may have been my favourite of the three books.
Crossing the Whitewash
When I picked this up I didn’t realise there’d be sports in it. Now I’m not a sporty person and when sports is mentioned I usually tune out. However I really enjoyed this read so well done to the author for keeping my attention.
Gary Marshall and Arnie Dolan are two completely different kinda characters who became friends when they were thirteen.
One afternoon something happens that changes their lives forever.
When the story jumps forward we find that Gary has moved away and changed his name to Gareth.
Although Gareth wants to forget his past it’s about to come back and haunt him.
This is a brilliant read and I can’t wait to jump into book two.
Spark Out
This is book two in the Boxer Boys series. I highly recommend you read Crossing the Whitewash before you read this one.
Another subject I don’t like reading or talking about is politics yet this author managed to keep me reading.
Big Mo is a force to be reckoned with. He is a nasty crook who will do anything to get what he wants.
Well told story with a good storyline
Dying Seconds
This is the third book in the Boxer Boys series. I do recommend you read the previous two books.
Bad guy Arnie Dolan is back.
Gary Marshall now known as Gareth Prince is trying again to put his past behind him.
A murder forces these two together to find out who killed Marshall’s father.
There is lots going on in this story yet it kept my attention throughout. This may have been my favourite of the three books.
July 19, 2021
Good read
Took a while to get into the 1st book, kept at it glad I did as it really picked up in the 2nd one as to how it all started
Took a while to get into the 1st book, kept at it glad I did as it really picked up in the 2nd one as to how it all started
September 9, 2019
This is a box set of three novels by Nick Rippington.
First:
CROSSING THE WHITEWASH
Gary Marshall and Arnie Dolan have been friends since they were 13 years old, and had named themselves the Boxer Boys.
Gary had dreams of being a professional footballer, but after a night out, a series of events put an end to his dream.
This tells of their lives to the present day, their friendship, the laughs and their criminal and sometimes violent activities.
As they grow up, lives change, but then the past catches up with Gareth.
A thriller full of humour, sport and action.
SPARK OUT (prequel)
This is set in the 1980’s , the politics, music and the Falklands War.
Mo Dolan, is a really nasty piece of work and really wants to be a big time gangster type. Violent and brutal. Will his son end up the same?
Lots of descriptive writing the political atmosphere of the time and about the horrors of the Falklands War. A thriller with a political edge.
DYING SECONDS(sequel)
Again the story revolves around the violent Dolan crime family.
Gareth, who used to be Gary is working for a welsh newspaper as a sports journalist after moving on from his earlier way of life. But then his father is murdered, his old friend Arnie Dolan has been arrested. Is he responsible or was some one else responsible? And why?
Again, set with a backdrop of politics (Brexit) and sports with the murder mystery too in a totally engrossing read.
Thank you to Sarah at Book On The Bright Side for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
First:
CROSSING THE WHITEWASH
Gary Marshall and Arnie Dolan have been friends since they were 13 years old, and had named themselves the Boxer Boys.
Gary had dreams of being a professional footballer, but after a night out, a series of events put an end to his dream.
This tells of their lives to the present day, their friendship, the laughs and their criminal and sometimes violent activities.
As they grow up, lives change, but then the past catches up with Gareth.
A thriller full of humour, sport and action.
SPARK OUT (prequel)
This is set in the 1980’s , the politics, music and the Falklands War.
Mo Dolan, is a really nasty piece of work and really wants to be a big time gangster type. Violent and brutal. Will his son end up the same?
Lots of descriptive writing the political atmosphere of the time and about the horrors of the Falklands War. A thriller with a political edge.
DYING SECONDS(sequel)
Again the story revolves around the violent Dolan crime family.
Gareth, who used to be Gary is working for a welsh newspaper as a sports journalist after moving on from his earlier way of life. But then his father is murdered, his old friend Arnie Dolan has been arrested. Is he responsible or was some one else responsible? And why?
Again, set with a backdrop of politics (Brexit) and sports with the murder mystery too in a totally engrossing read.
Thank you to Sarah at Book On The Bright Side for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
September 11, 2019
The three stories combine to give a fabulous insight in two main families and the trials and tribulations that go with them. There are so many things that happen along the way for not only the families but also the boys as well.
The style of the story is gritty and it fits so well with the gangland setting. As much as there is violence with the story as you would expect, there is also much more than that. It is a story that show the dynamics of family and society of the respective times the stories are set in. It is about loyalty and friendship and how long they can be stretched before something gives.
This has been a really good collection of 3 stories that are intertwined and linked and that span the years. They each have a connection to each other and yet at the same time each have a different feel in the way they read. After reading Nick’s Bio I can see that he brings his own knowledge and experiences to his writing. This is a collection that I thoroughly enjoyed each one of the books and I would suggest that they are definitely read in order, you could argue that they could be read as stand alone books but for me they worked perfectly as they were set out.
It is one of those collections that falls into several categories. I add my own tags and the ones I have chosen for this is, Urban Fiction, Family Drama, Family & Lifestyle and Contemporary Fiction as well as General Fiction. I think it is one would interest many readers.
A fabulous collection and one I would Definitely Recommend.
The style of the story is gritty and it fits so well with the gangland setting. As much as there is violence with the story as you would expect, there is also much more than that. It is a story that show the dynamics of family and society of the respective times the stories are set in. It is about loyalty and friendship and how long they can be stretched before something gives.
This has been a really good collection of 3 stories that are intertwined and linked and that span the years. They each have a connection to each other and yet at the same time each have a different feel in the way they read. After reading Nick’s Bio I can see that he brings his own knowledge and experiences to his writing. This is a collection that I thoroughly enjoyed each one of the books and I would suggest that they are definitely read in order, you could argue that they could be read as stand alone books but for me they worked perfectly as they were set out.
It is one of those collections that falls into several categories. I add my own tags and the ones I have chosen for this is, Urban Fiction, Family Drama, Family & Lifestyle and Contemporary Fiction as well as General Fiction. I think it is one would interest many readers.
A fabulous collection and one I would Definitely Recommend.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews