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Soho Noir #6
Smalltown Boy
A CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH MURDER ON THE MENU
It’s Christmas Eve, 1988 and Russell and Joe are among the guests at a lavish party in a celebrity mansion in the heart of Soho.
Television presenter and national treasure, Nathan Bentley has a formidable reputation for legendary parties—with wall-to-wall celebrities, drink flowing, drugs, dancing, ill-tempered Cordon-Bleu chefs laying on the food and world famous musicians providing the entertainment. What could be better for a bunch of waifs and strays on Christmas Eve?
But when a body is found in the courtyard garden before the dessert has been served, questions begin to fly. Did he fall or was he pushed? And who of the many guests and hangers-on had either the means or motive for murder?
Hidden pasts and present jealousies all threaten to destroy a life carefully built in this festive crime caper set in the heart of London’s Soho.
SMALLTOWN BOY IS THE SIXTH IN THE SOHO NOIR SERIES.
It’s Christmas Eve, 1988 and Russell and Joe are among the guests at a lavish party in a celebrity mansion in the heart of Soho.
Television presenter and national treasure, Nathan Bentley has a formidable reputation for legendary parties—with wall-to-wall celebrities, drink flowing, drugs, dancing, ill-tempered Cordon-Bleu chefs laying on the food and world famous musicians providing the entertainment. What could be better for a bunch of waifs and strays on Christmas Eve?
But when a body is found in the courtyard garden before the dessert has been served, questions begin to fly. Did he fall or was he pushed? And who of the many guests and hangers-on had either the means or motive for murder?
Hidden pasts and present jealousies all threaten to destroy a life carefully built in this festive crime caper set in the heart of London’s Soho.
SMALLTOWN BOY IS THE SIXTH IN THE SOHO NOIR SERIES.
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About the author
T.S. Hunter
7 books15 followers Claiming to be at least half-Welsh, T.S. Hunter lived in South Wales for much of his latter teens, moving to London as soon as confidence and finances allowed. He never looked back.
He has variously been a teacher, a cocktail waiter, a podium dancer and a removal man, but his passion for writing has been the only constant.
He's a confident and engaging speaker and guest, who is as passionate about writing and storytelling as he is about promoting mainstream LGBT fiction.
He now lives with his husband in the country, and is active on social media.
He has variously been a teacher, a cocktail waiter, a podium dancer and a removal man, but his passion for writing has been the only constant.
He's a confident and engaging speaker and guest, who is as passionate about writing and storytelling as he is about promoting mainstream LGBT fiction.
He now lives with his husband in the country, and is active on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 22, 2020
I've been part of the various blog tours that ran for the novellas in the Soho Noir series. This one being the last book, I'm so sad that the adventures of Joe and Russell are over and again, this story was enjoyable. Set during a Christmas party, one of the waiters is found dead in at first a supposed accident, until more clues come to light throughout the evening and shocking confessions are revealed. The length of the novella makes it good for light reading on commuting journeys. It was a good conclusion with the ending one I didn't see coming. If you haven't picked up this mystery series yet on Kindle or physically, you need to do so!
January 11, 2020
I am starting this review by saying I did not want to read this book nor did I want to write this review. To do so is to accept that the series has (temporarily) finished, and this is something I do not want to accept but hey ho here we are!
However, I can tell you I loved being back with the guys again, letting loose at a Christmas party they don’t want to be at and then bam we have a dead body.
When reading this all I kept thinking of the scandal that happened with Michael Barrymore over the death of Stuart Lubbock. Not sure if this was an influence or not but it is what I had in mind when reading it. There are so many similarities and in SmallTown Boy, we have a celebrity who has come out as being gay, an ex-wife living with him and a lot of drugs, scandal and an interesting twist. I also have to mention what a fitting book title to go with the story, every title has been so fitting upon reflection and this one definitely so!
This was a riveting storyline and I flew through this novella, sadly so, as I just did not want this to end and it really was over before it had started!! Too few a pages but so much happens! Obviously you have to groan and facepalm when Skinner turns up on the pages but well it got exciting at the same time when he does. After all of this will see him get his just deserts?! Mike, a welcome introduction from the last novella is in this a bit more and I adore his character and the way he and Joe are. Patty got so much more page time and it was brilliant, she is such a hoot and definitely knows how to get a party started.
I was behind Joe and Russell this time, I did not see the reveal coming, even when the clues had been discovered and as the norm with Mr Hunter it is always such a bittersweet conclusion.
With this being the conclusion, cue the tissues I will wait, I love seeing how much more comfortable Joe and Russell are now in their own skin. They are gay and they are proud and they really do not care who knows it and why should they! From their tentative steps into the community in Tainted Love to their strong stand in SmallTown Boy is gorgeous to see and it really does prove how far they both have come and grown.
I hear there is more in the pipeline for Joe and Russell and I hope it is true. I can not imagine a bookish life without them in it. 2019 had been dominated by this #SohoNoir and I hope 2020 is dominated by the same people and author again…..can I make that my belated New Year’s wish?!
I can easily keep gushing about this series as I do every time I review them but like the series, I must stop sometime…well for now! Just do yourself a favour whether it is to buy each book individually or the gorgeous hardback with them all in one (which is what I am going to do), just buy the damn things!!!
However, I can tell you I loved being back with the guys again, letting loose at a Christmas party they don’t want to be at and then bam we have a dead body.
When reading this all I kept thinking of the scandal that happened with Michael Barrymore over the death of Stuart Lubbock. Not sure if this was an influence or not but it is what I had in mind when reading it. There are so many similarities and in SmallTown Boy, we have a celebrity who has come out as being gay, an ex-wife living with him and a lot of drugs, scandal and an interesting twist. I also have to mention what a fitting book title to go with the story, every title has been so fitting upon reflection and this one definitely so!
This was a riveting storyline and I flew through this novella, sadly so, as I just did not want this to end and it really was over before it had started!! Too few a pages but so much happens! Obviously you have to groan and facepalm when Skinner turns up on the pages but well it got exciting at the same time when he does. After all of this will see him get his just deserts?! Mike, a welcome introduction from the last novella is in this a bit more and I adore his character and the way he and Joe are. Patty got so much more page time and it was brilliant, she is such a hoot and definitely knows how to get a party started.
I was behind Joe and Russell this time, I did not see the reveal coming, even when the clues had been discovered and as the norm with Mr Hunter it is always such a bittersweet conclusion.
With this being the conclusion, cue the tissues I will wait, I love seeing how much more comfortable Joe and Russell are now in their own skin. They are gay and they are proud and they really do not care who knows it and why should they! From their tentative steps into the community in Tainted Love to their strong stand in SmallTown Boy is gorgeous to see and it really does prove how far they both have come and grown.
I hear there is more in the pipeline for Joe and Russell and I hope it is true. I can not imagine a bookish life without them in it. 2019 had been dominated by this #SohoNoir and I hope 2020 is dominated by the same people and author again…..can I make that my belated New Year’s wish?!
I can easily keep gushing about this series as I do every time I review them but like the series, I must stop sometime…well for now! Just do yourself a favour whether it is to buy each book individually or the gorgeous hardback with them all in one (which is what I am going to do), just buy the damn things!!!
December 20, 2021
I can't believe this is the last of the series .... and we have a 'wham-bam' Christmas party fueled by booze, drugs and scantily clad cater-waiters. There are abundant secondary characters (party-attendees) holding long-held hostile intentions and grudges against the host and each other. Our sleuthing duo - Joe and Russell (along with partners and friends) are called upon to sort out the mess of a dead body before the homophobic DI arrives. I didn't expect the victim (thought it would be the party host actually) but did guess the identity of the killer and motivation before Joe and Russell did - hah! I hope the author continues with the series but there seems little evidence of this to date.
January 6, 2020
This is the final episode in the Soho Noir series by T.S. Hunter, oh and what a finale!
It’s Christmas, Joe and Russell have been invited to the flamboyant TV personality’s party. Reluctantly they go, taking their respective partners, Mike and Freddy along but then a body is found and the adventure begins.
With a fabulous cast of characters including my favourite, Patty, there’s much mayhem and drama as ever. Then the reprehensible Skinner arrives…..will he finally get his comeuppance?
While this is a short novella, it packs a lot of story in. There’s the 80’s music references and little mentions of the events of the time too, which all build the atmosphere perfectly of 80’s London. Joe and Russell happy in their relationships too make this a wonderful ending to a thoroughly entertaining series
I have read the whole series now and am bereft! I’ll just have to read them all again….
Thank you to Dylan at Red Dog Press for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
It’s Christmas, Joe and Russell have been invited to the flamboyant TV personality’s party. Reluctantly they go, taking their respective partners, Mike and Freddy along but then a body is found and the adventure begins.
With a fabulous cast of characters including my favourite, Patty, there’s much mayhem and drama as ever. Then the reprehensible Skinner arrives…..will he finally get his comeuppance?
While this is a short novella, it packs a lot of story in. There’s the 80’s music references and little mentions of the events of the time too, which all build the atmosphere perfectly of 80’s London. Joe and Russell happy in their relationships too make this a wonderful ending to a thoroughly entertaining series
I have read the whole series now and am bereft! I’ll just have to read them all again….
Thank you to Dylan at Red Dog Press for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
October 24, 2024
Another great book in the series, the hint of christmas was around and made it a cosy mystery read... Or, listen,as Joe Jamesson once again delivers brilliance.
January 7, 2020
Loved this finale to the most wonderful series of short crime stories set in the 80s. Mr Hunter is a gifted and underrated writer.
January 11, 2020
Featuring Joe Stone and ex cop, Russell Dixon, this final part of this entrancing series by TS Hunter is another absolute Gem
Xmas eve and the guys have been invited to a party being hosted by celebrity tv presenter Nathan Bentley.
These parties are wild affairs, full of celebs and characters, drugs and sex and alcohol.
When a body turns up in the courtyard of the property, Joe and Russell set about finding out if it was an accident or something more sinister.
With plenty of suspects to point the finger at, this story is a cracking finale to an outstanding series of Novellas by T.S Hunter.
Short, snappy, entertaining stories, I almost marvel in how T.S Hunter makes these short stories feel like full length novels.
I hope for more from the guys in future!
Highly Recommended
5 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Xmas eve and the guys have been invited to a party being hosted by celebrity tv presenter Nathan Bentley.
These parties are wild affairs, full of celebs and characters, drugs and sex and alcohol.
When a body turns up in the courtyard of the property, Joe and Russell set about finding out if it was an accident or something more sinister.
With plenty of suspects to point the finger at, this story is a cracking finale to an outstanding series of Novellas by T.S Hunter.
Short, snappy, entertaining stories, I almost marvel in how T.S Hunter makes these short stories feel like full length novels.
I hope for more from the guys in future!
Highly Recommended
5 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
January 1, 2020
This historical detective series is set in Soho, London in the 1980s. The main character is Joe who becomes involved in various murders and is forced to deal with an homophobic police officer while trying to solve the crimes. He does this with a group of supportive friends, one of whom is a former police officer who was forced out when his sexuality was revealed.
The books are well written and a pleasure to read. The emphasis is on the crime and there is little romance involved in the stories, although it is there.
The books are well written and a pleasure to read. The emphasis is on the crime and there is little romance involved in the stories, although it is there.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews