Reviewed by: Keith Nixon
Genre: Crime
Approximate word count: 10-15,000 words
Availability
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Author:
Darren
Sant’s childhood was spent living between two large housing estates. The
locations and characters provided the inspiration for Sant’s stories.
To learn
more about the author visit his website.
Description:
An
interlinked series of short stories about the less than law-abiding residents
of the Longcroft Estate.
Appraisal:
Tales from the Longcroft Estate is an interesting group of stories
which I enjoyed reading.
The first
is A Good Day, written in the first
person by a self-confessed drug addict and thief who, in the course of his
daily habit of stealing to gain a fix, actually does the right thing by
stumbling (almost literally) onto a paedophile ring and in the process saving a
four year old boy. Ironically it’s his nose for a dodgy deal that helps the
protagonist save the day. Despite the basis being an unpleasant subject Sant
handles it very well, never allowing sensationalism to drift in and distract
the reader.
The title
of the next short, Community Spirit,
gives a clue as to the theme. Tracy owes a nasty (and cowardly) loan shark
money. She recently moved to the estate and isn’t happy. She feels her
neighbours will do nothing to help her as Taff Hargreaves comes to reclaim his
money (or payment in kind). However, Tracy soon learns the perception of her
neighbours is incorrect. A good story that raises the spectre of debt over a
family and is a position probably many find themselves in today.
Rowan’s Folly is a grouping of stories about the
local hard guys, the Cullen family. Andy Rowan is a self-employed electrician.
He carries out some gratis work for the Cullen’s (no-one would dare charge
them!) but gets involved in a relationship with the daughter, Shona. The
problem is her boyfriend is Mark Temple – gangster and lunatic – and he finds
out about the affair, with drastic consequences.
This was
the best of the tales, it hangs together very well. The characters are
excellent, the events they’re involved with are ordinary, yet not.
Tucked in
the middle is a funny two page short – Mrs
Jones Gets An Unexpected Treat. Two scallies rob the old lady, but she
catches them red handed and ties one to a chair, letting the other go. She gets
some personal satisfaction from the captive (he doesn’t).
Tales From The Longcroft feels like a personal journey, as
if the author has an experience of the events and people. Although the majority
of the characters are unpleasant, Sant displays a touching affection for them
which gives each a broader appeal. A short, but very satisfying read.
FYI:
Some
swearing.
Format/Typo Issues:
None.
1 comment:
Great review. Great read.
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