Meet DI Harry Hawkins. ‘H’ to friends and enemies alike. He’s not an easy man to love. But when the chips are down he’s the man you want on your side, the man who’ll get you justice. Whatever it takes. Sharp and Short tracks him through a series of the defining moments that made him who he is. By turns intense, tragic and comic the six stories span 40 years and see H maturing in a world full of … world full of both love and violence.
Can he save a friend from the clutches of an IRA death squad? Escape with his life after meting out rough justice to a gangland boss? Survive a battle with the demon drink as the mounting evil he faces threatens to crush him?
These stories, and more, are an absolute must for anyone who likes a cracking good yarn or has an interest in the development of a flawed but heroic character, a man who will do whatever it takes to do some good in our dark world.
TRIGGER WARNING:
If you require a trigger warning of any kind then this book is NOT for you.
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I’ve read a few of the ‘London Large’ books already when someone told me that I should have read this short story first. It’s featured in the first ‘London large’ bundle, so I followed the advice. Even though I didn’t think it was so important to read this short story first, apart for chronological reasons than, it was a fun read. It must be the first story that features Harry Hawkins when he’s just not 16. He’s been kicked out of school for violence but that was actually for the noble reason of standing up against some bullies. Unfortunately, Harry reacted a bit too violent and is now seen as the culprit. His father isn’t too angry and even offers him a job on his garbage-collecting-crew. It’s 1974 and virtually the whole country is on strike and the garbage piles up higher and higher in the streets. Rich neighbourhoods offer very good money to clean their streets and H.’s father is one of the scabs taking the cash over solidarity. It’s a real eye-opener for Harry when he sees 1st hand what his dad has to put up with on a daily basis. Eventually, he follows the advice of his school-prefect and joins the army. I didn’t live in the UK until a lot later, but I have been told by my friends that this was a situation that was both really disgusting and a dangerous health-hazard, so the description given here may be still on the brighter side of reality;
This is an interesting insight into H’s background and younger years. It doesn’t have much to do with his qualities as a police-detective, but ti introduces us to a young John who’ll turn up later on in the books.
London Large, Blood on the Streets #1 – A well written, action filled, suspense novel set in present day London. The multiple battles of old school vs. new police, Russian and Albanian mafias, and the elites of government. The pace is fast and the reader is intrigued by what is on the pages. I couldn’t put the book down. I contacted the authors to review their books after reading Tipping Point, the intro of the old school raising of several of the major characters. Tipping Point should be read first, if possible. 5*
London Large, Bound by Blood #2 – A well written, action filled, suspense novel set, in present day London, that picks up from Blood on the Streets a few months later with the same characters plus. The prime focus is still the continuing battle against the Albanian mafia. I couldn’t put this book down any more than I did the first book. I contacted the authors to review their books after reading Tipping Point, the intro the old school raising of several of the major characters. Tipping Point should be read first, if possible. 5*
London Large, Bloody Liberties #3- Blood and thunder, to borrow a British phrase. A well written, action packed, suspense filled novel that grabs the reader by the throat and doesn’t let go until the end. Then you think about what you’ve read. I couldn’t put the book down; I was immersed in the horror that is so possible today. Good old fashion soldiering, new technology and human perseverance; the combination making a great read. The twisting plot was well thought out and believable; the dialog realistic; and the technology spot on. If you haven’t read the prequel and the first two books, you need to do so. Liberties can be read without them, but they enhance the story and you understand the viewpoints of the characters better. 5*
London Large, American Lockdown #4 – Absolutely the best of this good series. Fast paced; action packed; suspense filled; evil and deadly. It’s even harder to put this book down, the others were difficult to stop reading, but this one makes the others look like child’s play. Every character is well developed and we have the gang from previous books. The plot is a roller coaster ride of horror, hate, revenge, anger and love. Full of emotions: simmering to full blown; you name it, it’s covered. How much can H take? I wonder what the next book will be since it will be difficult to top this one, but I’m sure the Robson Brothers can handle it. This is a 10 star book! 5*
London Large, Tipping Point, Prequel- Must read Tipping Point first before LL Blood on the Streets. The introduction of the old school raising of several of the major characters of the London Large series. This intro clarify any confusion the reader may experience in LL, Blood on the Streets. 5*
Sharp and Short: A collection of shorts about Harry ‘H’ Hawkins, which should be read, in the sequential order of time, before and during the London Large series, especially Tipping Point. Tipping Point will explain a lot about the type of man he is and how he became Harry of the London Large series. Also, there’s some information in this book that is mentioned in the first book and causes confusion for the reader that hadn’t read TP. The other books have background about how H develops his feelings, good and bad, of the people, good and bad, in his life and work. Also, his mates are featured. Good background stories. 5*
Home Front – November, 2003. Age 45. Harry’s reaction to a string of violated, murdered young girls and health scare and his marriage.
Counter Punch – October, 1984; February, 1985. While still in the army, H handles an extended family problem against a crime lord, with an American GI by H’s side.
On Tour – 1978. Nineteen year-old H, Shy Nervous John and Ronnie as part of the Anglers Athletic under-21s on tour in Amsterdam and Hamburg. Their first time out of England.
That’s Life – November, 1995. Little Ronnie is born and H lives his code about his friends, his “own”.
Unsafe Space – November 2017. As a private investigator, a case leads him to a university where the students are brainwashed by their professor into destruction and hatred.
Tipping Point – January, 1974. Prequel – Must read Tipping Point first before LL Blood on the Streets. The introduction of the old school raising of several of the major characters of the London Large series. This intro clarify any confusion the reader may experience in LL, Blood on the Streets.
Sharp and Short: End