#Blogtour His Fatal Legacy by Heather Atkinson

It's my turn on the Blogtour His Fatal Legacy by Heather Atkinson.

About the Author

Heather Atkinson is the author of over fifty books – predominantly in the crime fiction genre.  Although Lancashire born and bred she now lives with her family, including twin teenage daughters, on the beautiful west coast of Scotland.  Her gangland series for Boldwood, set on the fictional Gallowburn estate in Glasgow begins with the title Blood Brothers. Follow @HeatherAtkinso1 on Twitter, @heathercrimeauthor on Instagram, Sign up to her newsletter here

About the book

Edinburgh 1896 - Amy Alardyce's once-perfect life is in tatters. Her eldest son, Robert, has come of age, become the master of his own home, and married his childhood love Jane.  But with maturity has come a terrible legacy, and the dark desires Robert inherited from his evil father Matthew, are fighting to get loose.

Whilst Jane is working hard to get her and Robert accepted into fashionable society, poor women are being hunted on the streets of Edinburgh, and Amy fears her son is to blame.  And once the infamous Inspector Murphy takes up the case, Amy has to face a stark choice - denounce her son as a monster or risk her own safety to protect him from the consequences of his lethal actions.

Review

This is the third book in the Alardyce Series and can be read as a standalone, although I would recommend reading the first two to get the gist and the the history of the family. How we got to the point that Amy has a grown son suspected of being the worst kind of criminal.

The story actually brings some core questions to the table, the kind that apply to any family and any period in time. Does the love of a mother override any crime or heinous action their child may commit? Is it possible to draw a line in the sand when it comes to emotions and the bond between mother and child, especially when a grown child could potentially be a bad influence or a danger to their siblings. Is the possibility of becoming outcasts in society a factor that makes the decision easier or harder.

The most poignant storyline, that is woven through into this book from the prior books in the series, is the whether evil is nature vs nurture, ergo passed along like a short leg, wonky eye or more a case of learning by seeing. Can Amy make the right choices for herself, her family, and even Robert?

It could have done with a little more depth when it came to characters and relationships, saying that the series is more of a cosy historical crime series and it's about disappearing into the streets of Edinburgh for a while and enjoying the read.

Buy His Fatal Legacy at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher ‏: ‎Boldwood Books pub date 20 Mar. 2023. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Bad Blood by Heather Atkinson

It's my turn on the BlogTour Bad Blood by Heather Atkinson.

About the Author

Heather Atkinson is the author of over fifty books – predominantly in the crime fiction genre.  Although Lancashire born and bred she now lives with her family, including twin teenage daughters, on the beautiful west coast of Scotland.   Her new gangland series for Boldwood, set on the fictional Gallowburn estate in Glasgow began with Blood Brothers in December 2020.

Follow @HeatherAtkinso1 on Twitter, on Instagram, on Bookbub, on Facebook, on Amazon, Visit heatheratkinsonbooks.com, 

About the book

If you can't trust your family, who can you trust...? Glasgow gangster Jamie Gray and his fellow Blood Brothers rule the Gallowburn Estate with an iron fist. No one messes around on their turf without consequences. 

But when Jamie’s erstwhile dad, Jason Gray, reappears after many years away - some of them spent behind bars - the Blood Brothers are drawn into the murky and dangerous world of the toughest gangster of them all – The Queen of Glasgow, Toni McVay.  

Toni is the head of the most powerful organised crime family in Scotland and, as the psychotic leader enjoys scooping out the eyeballs of those who displease her, Jamie has no option but to do her bidding.

 With the love of his life Allegra still missing, his enemies closing in, and his family’s safety at risk, Jamie Gray faces the battle of his life.  But with his father’s bad blood running through his veins, and the bravery and brains he has inherited from his mother Jackie, Jamie has all the tools he needs to survive.

Review

This is the second book in the Gallowburn series, both of which can be read as standalone novels. Jamie is still shaken from his experiences with his girlfriend and her father, and the last thing he needs is his deadbeat Dad turning up to stir things up.

Think estate hooligans morphing slowly into more serious criminals. Low-level crime builds up until the crimes become more serious, even if they fall under the self-titled umbrella and idea of Robin Hood. Jamie and his boys say they are keeping the neighbourhood, family and friends safe by making a violent stand in regards to other vandals or criminals in their area.

It's a gritty urban crime read with a small estate feel to it. The main character is one who conjures up understanding and empathy, but in equal measures the feeling that he is a powder keg waiting to explode. It's as if he walks a thin line between law abiding and way beyond the law.

Atkinson straddles different subgenres and demographics in my opinion. I can see this being a series that NA and YA readers are drawn to, and also just in general adult readers. Being inside Jamie's head and emotional turmoil, but also the young delinquent vibe is probably what will attract a younger readership.

As the series progresses will Jamie and his friends move beyond all of the above and begin to wander even further into a life of crime and prison or will he, much like many young offenders. be able to pull his life on a straighter path? Will Atkinson go full gangland or not - it will be interesting to see where it goes.

Buy Bad Blood at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Boldwood Books pub date 1 Jun. 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Blood Brothers by Heather Atkinson

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Blood Brothers by Heather Atkinson.

About the Author

Heather Atkinson is the author of over fifty books - predominantly in the crime fiction genre. Although Lancashire born and bred she now lives with her family, including twin teenage daughters, on the beautiful west coast of Scotland. Her new gangland series for Boldwood, set on the fictional Gallowburn estate in Glasgow begins with Blood Brothers which will be published in December 2020.

Follow @HeatherAtkinso1 on Twitter, on Instagram, on Bookbub, on Facebook, on Amazon,Visit heatheratkinsonbooks.com, Buy Blood Brothers

About the book

When you’re running the streets, loyalty is everything…Gangs rule the streets of the rough Gallowburn Estate in Glasgow, but the deepest rivalry of all is between Jamie Gray and his friends, known as the Blood Brothers, and their enemies, the Lawsons.

The two gangs clash frequently, but when a phone containing incriminating evidence disappears after a particularly brutal run-in, the stakes are higher than ever.

Jamie’s mother Jackie is as hard as nails and is not going to let anyone hurt her boy – even if she has to roll up her sleeves and get stuck in. What she wants more than anything though, is to see Jamie turn his back on the street life. And when he meets spoilt rich-girl Allegra, who has a penchant for shoplifting, Jackie thinks she could be Jamie’s way out.

But with the Lawsons closing in, and everyone taking sides, there is only one way out for Jamie, and to triumph he must take out his biggest enemy…

Review

It's an urban crime story with the type of estate flair that can only come from certain places. Where gangs run amok and rule the streets, where violence begets more violence. Young men find pleasure in bloody fights and vicious taunts. They think themselves larger than life and indestructible.

For some it isn't enough though. Greed makes people impulsive and lack the caution needed to survive on the streets. The Blood Brothers rule their part of the neighbourhood until an encounter and a missing phone puts everyone in jeopardy. Someone stumbles on information that was supposed to stay hidden. Their rivals the Lawsons are out for blood.

I think Jamie's mother probably deserves a book of her own. Life before Jamie - Jackie as a young woman, who learns to be the tough protector and the kind of girl who wouldn't hesitate to take down someone who threatens her own. Just Saying.

Atkinson writes a Top Boy gangland kind of story, but in more of a lesser criminal league and with a tough Scottish vibe. Atkinson gives the read a bit of a young adult feel, despite the subject matter. Young men on a dead end path to nowhere, which makes some people willing to do dangerous and drastic things. It's a fast-paced read with a realistic vibe.

Buy Blood Brothers at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Boldwood Books; pub date 8 Dec. 2020. Buy at Amazon com. At Hive.