Reviewed by: Keith Nixon
Genre: Crime
Approximate word count: 20-25,000 words
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Author:
Gerard Brennan lives in Northern Ireland with his family and
recently completed an MA in creative writing at Belfast University and is now
studying full time for a doctorate.
Gerard has previously published several other works including the
novel, Wee Rockets, a novella, The Point, several short story
collections and contributed to a number of anthologies.
You can learn more about Gerard on his website.
Description:
Brian is an
insomniac, troubled by the death of his brother at the hands of his girlfriend,
Rachel. She’s pregnant, unknown to Brian. They’re in hiding, but don’t know
that they’ve been found by Owen, who wants his revenge…
Appraisal:
I have to
confess to being biased. Gerard Brennan has, over 2013, fast become one of my
favourite writers. If he has a new book out, I’m there. However, with elevation
onto a pedestal means gravity can take a stronger hold – big guys have further
to fall. Add in that the predecessor to this novella The Point is my favourite of all then we have an interesting
situation. Has Breaking Point brought
me back down to earth?
NO.
Far from
it. This was another excellent story from the author’s fingertips.
As I
mentioned Breaking Point is a follow
up story, but it works fine as a standalone. In it we revisit a couple of
characters from The Point. All is not
quite well for Brian and Rachel. They’re hiding in a small town, both working
dead end jobs in the local garage. He’s stoned and drunk on an almost permanent
basis and she’s fed up with his slipping into oblivion. To cap it all Rachel is
(unknown to Brian) pregnant. They’re close to the edge.
One night
when struck with insomnia, again, Brian goes to score a bag of weed from his
pothead supplier, Tony, who’s a wannabee dojo master. Trouble is someone has a
vendetta against Brian – Owen, another character from The Point.
That’s
really it for a character list, there are a couple of minor players, but these
four people are what the story revolves around. And it works. Tony is a hoot,
he’s in debt to his supplier and the martial arts element is a way of him
making some cash. Brian, a bit of a follower lost without his brother (an event
from The Point which dogs his
relationship with Rachel), gets sucked along.
Owen is a
nasty piece of work and, in the end, Brian has to perform the ultimate task to
keep his relationship alive.
This is a
really good story. It knits together well and flies along at a great pace. The dialogue
is sharp and snappy. I thoroughly enjoyed Breaking
Point.
Phew.
Potential problem over. If you haven’t read any of this author’s work yet,
please make sure you do.
FYI:
Some
swearing, drug use (not graphic).
Format/Typo Issues:
None.
Rating: ***** 5 Stars
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