Smoke

"Grim, but really good" Ian Rankin

Carlo Salvino returns home missing an arm and a leg. He's keen to win back the affections of his teenage girlfriend and mother of his child. If he can take his revenge on the Ramsays, so much the better.

The Ramsay brothers are keen to move up in the world and get the hell out of town. They gather all their hopes in one basket, 'The Scottish Open' dog-fighting tournament. In Leo they have the animal to win it; all they need to complete the plan is a fair wind.

The Hooks, well they're just a maladjusted family caught up in the middle of it all.

A tale of justice, injustice and misunderstanding, 'Smoke' is a 22,000-word novella that draws its inspiration from characters introduced in the short story 'An Arm And A Leg' (first published by Crimespree Magazine and later in 'The Mammoth Book Of Best British Crime Stories 8').

PRAISE FOR SMOKE

"Nigel Bird takes his readers to some dark places, but there is also beauty in this harsh reality. The twin narratives of Jimmy and Carlo weave through the story like sparing boxers, ducking and diving before closing on each other as bell sounds for the brutal final round. Rarely have I come across an author who writes with such humanity and feeling for the people he creates." Out Of The Gutter Magazine

PRAISE FOR NIGEL BIRD

'A fantastic writer.' Donald Ray Pollock, author of THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME

'I sought out everything I could from him. I dare you to read and not do the same.' Chris F Holm, author of DEAD HARVEST