Breakers by Doug Johnstone

I am looking forward to the launch of Breakers in Edinburgh tonight, so it's the perfect time to be taking part in the blog tour for the new book by Doug Johnstone, published in paperback today by the fabulous Orenda Books. Happy publication day Doug! This is the first of his books I've read, and it definitely won't be my last! Huge big thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part and to the gorgeous Karen Sullivan at Orenda for providing my review copy.

The Blurb:

Seventeen year old Tyler lives in one of Edinburgh’s most deprived areas. Whilst trying to care for his little sister and his drug addicted mother, he’s also coerced into robbing rich people’s homes by his bullying older siblings.

One night whilst on a job, his brother Barry stabs a homeowner and leaves her for dead. And that’s just the beginning of their nightmare, because they soon discover the woman is the wife of Edinburgh’s biggest crime lord, Deke Holt.

With the police and the Holts closing in, and his shattered family in  terrible danger, Tyler is running out of options, until he meets posh girl Flick in another stranger’s house. Could she be his salvation? Or will he end up dragging her down with him?

Breakers is published by Orenda Books today and is available to buy from Waterstones, Amazon and other good bookshops.


My Review:

Where have I been? Why have I not read any Doug Johnstone before? I will be rectifying that mistake, I can tell you! In short, I loved this book!

Tyler is a  good kid in a bad situation. He lives with his drunk, drug addicted mum Angela and his little sister Bean, who he adores. His half brother Barry and half sister Kelly live next door, with two violent dogs, Ant and Dec (lol).

The family live 15 floors up in a high rise block in one of Edinburgh's most deprived areas, and Tyler is forced by Barry to take part in burglaries in posh parts of Edinburgh, until it all goes horribly wrong and the family is thrust into danger.

I don't think I have ever been as invested in characters as I was with Tyler and Bean. I wanted to scoop them up in a big hug, feed them a good hot meal and keep them safe. There is such love and tenderness there, with Tyler doing his best to be mum and dad to his little sister, who obviously worships him. Every decision Tyler makes is made to protect Bean from Barry, and to try to hide the worst of their lives from her. But she is wise beyond her years and has seen things no seven year old should ever see. We also see Tyler being tender and gentle with his mother, and the stray dog and puppies he and Bean have rescued. My heart just broke for him.

Barry is just awful. He's a violent, aggressive drug user, who has a toxic, twisted relationship with his sister Kelly, and respects no one. He expects everyone to do his bidding, or otherwise receive a beating. He has absolutely no redeeming features, and the whole family is terrified of him.

The characters in this book are so well written, well described - they were very real to me. I could picture them in my mind. The same with their living situation. We are fully immersed in the poverty, the deprivation and the filth - Johnstone doesn't spare us. The counterpoint to this is Flick - a posh girl from a posh area who Tyler bumps into one day. But she too has her darkness, and has more in common with Tyler than he realises. It was beautiful to see this budding friendship and to be with Tyler as he fell a little bit in love.

Breakers is violent, bleak, brutal, and sad, but also tender, hopeful, beautiful and full of heart. I went through an emotional rollercoaster reading it. The writing is taut - not a word is wasted. It's pacy with plenty of action. But, for me, this is the tale of a young man in an impossibly difficult situation trying to do the right thing for those he loves. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. Do yourself a favour and read it.


 Author:

Doug Johnstone is an author, journalist and musician based in  Edinburgh.

He’s had nine novels published, most recently Fault Lines.  His previous novel, The Jump, was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year. Several of his other novels have been award winners and bestsellers, and he’s had short stories published  in  numerous anthologies and literary magazines. His work has been praised by the likes of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. Several of his novels have been  optioned for film and television.

Doug is also a Royal Literary Fund Consultant Fellow. He’s worked as an RLF Fellow at Queen  Margaret University, taught creative writing at Strathclyde University and  William Purves Funeral Directors. He mentors and assesses manuscripts for The Literary Consultancy and regularly tutors at Moniack Mhor writing retreat.

Doug has released seven albums in various bands, and is drummer, vocalist and occasional guitarist for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a band of crime writers. He also reviews books for The Big Issue magazine, is player-manager for Scotland Writers Football Club and has a PhD in nuclear physics.