Blacklisted by the police. Being sued by a client. And broke. Things can’t get any worse for Brighton’s No.1 Private Detective, Joe Grabarz, in this blistering debut novel from award-winning writer Tom Trott.That’s until his best friend’s body washes up on the beach.Could it really have been ten years? What happened? How could his life have ended like this? He needs answers.But with the city in … answers.
But with the city in the grips of organised crime, and struggling to deal with an influx of legal highs, who cares about just another dead drug dealer? Joe, that’s who. After all, you can’t make old friends.
Warning: this book contains adult language, sex and drug references, and violence (basically, all the good stuff).
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Favorite Quotes:
I’ve been on the beach at two a.m. and found it just as packed as during the day. Full of people lighting pointless disposable barbecues and pouring vodka into a watermelon for no good reason.
I must be off my game. Being around her was like putting a magnet next to a compass.
‘I love lawyers.’ I smiled as genuinely as I could pretend, ‘Estate Agents. Politicians. Anyone who makes me feel like I have scruples.’
He was wearing a polo-neck with some kind of symbol over the left breast. What symbol doesn’t matter, just the presence of a logo seems to say “I can afford to buy nice things, unlike you”, although a lot of the time it just says “I have more money than sense.”
I have never felt scruffier than when I walked inside those doors. The way the guy on the reception desk’s eyes bulged when he saw me I might have been a marauding crackhead about to chow-down on his limbs.
You know, most people grow up to regret bullying people. The other people are psychopaths. If I was charitable I’d say he hadn’t grown up yet.
You were as thick as thieves then, and look at you now: still thick and still thieves.
My Review:
I have a new author to fangirl and lucky me, I have two more of his books to read already loaded on my shiny new Kindle. I am totally enamored with the cunningly talented Thomas Trott, his agile writing style was top-shelf entertainment with sly snark, colorfully amusing descriptions, prickling intrigue that continually jabbed at my curiosity, and compelling characters who were tattered and besmirched yet remained endearing with a battered but not beaten vibe. I frequently smirked and occasionally cringed, yet I didn’t want to put this captivating tale down despite the periodic gruesome finds and crime scenes, as the quirkiness of the character’s inner musings and unusual encounters kept beckoning to me. Mr. Trott is surreptitiously sneaky and cleverly slipped in wry humor in the most unexpected places; I bet he is a total caution at parties. And score – I have three new additions to my Brit word list with: half-inch – which is to steal; chav – a subculture of aggressive hooligans who wear designer clothes; and nonic – a conical shaped pint glass used in British pubs.
Tom Trott, so like so many British writers, fills his pages with beautiful prose which draws the reader, willingly or not, into the depths of the story to envelope them in the action, suspense, and mystery being woven there. Do not miss Tom Trott.
Boring, no dialogue. Too descriptive all talk in the first person. Did not finish.
Couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Really enjoyed this book.
A really good one. Original characters. Twisty plot. Fun dialogue and clever observations from the protagonist. The plot moves right along.
This is my second read from author, Tom Trott, so I’m hardly surprised that You Can’t Make Old Friends was right up my alley. Tom Trott has the ability to transport readers into the setting of the story, making you feel like you’re there and witnessing the events first hand. I read this in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.
Joe is a really well developed main character that I immediately was drawn to. His life is in shambles and it was interesting to watch how he handled the situations thrown at him.
The first in a series, and it’s off to a great start. I highly recommend checking this one out.
*I read this as part of a blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
A pedestrian who-done-it!
Enjoyed the story
This was a very thought provoking book. Made you see the world from a different prospective. I liked it, entertaining reading.
It dragged and I put it aside. Likely never to open it again.
Enjoyed it very much.
Great book I could not put it down
There is nothing exceptional about this novel. It is highly predictable, and seems more like an introduction of characters for future novels. The author spends more time describing various neighborhoods than in the development of an intriguing plot. Thank goodness it was a quick read.
Too much vulgar language; didn’t read it through.
This is a great book with wonderful characters.
That was intense, engaging, and gritty. I enjoyed the memories of a special childhood friendship; it’s sad that they don’t always continue into adulthood. I love the main character’s wit; I just wish that one thing hadn’t happened. I also love the title, it makes you think. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.
Not for me
Dark, but it kept my attention
It’s not often you enjoy a book in which the protagonist takes the low road……..
This book starts slow -I almost ditched it for another but I found it snuck up and forced me to keep reading to find the action paced delightful hidden gem of a story. Worth the read but plan on some drag before you get there….