5/5
Book Description
Exiled from his beloved Newcastle sixteen years ago, Detective Sergeant Lee Jamieson is returning home in search of the teenage daughter he’s never met. With a good promotion under his belt and his parents gone, he’s ready to return to his roots and the warm Geordie spirit he has missed so much.
Much to his surprise, his first assignment is in Valley Park, a forgotten sink estate and home to some of the worst social deprivation in the country – the estate where he grew up, and where Nicola Kelly, the wife of a renowned local villain, calls home.
As Lee and Nicola’s lives become entwined through a series of dramatic events, they fall in love and embark on a dangerous affair that will change both of their lives forever. Nicola’s husband, Micky, has few scruples, and, as he feels her slipping away, tightens his grip on her affections.
In order for Lee and Nicola to be together, Micky Kelly has to go.
My review
Love amidst loss.
Originally written for the screen, 'The Prodigal Son' is a cleverly woven, fast-paced, gripping story.
Lee Jamieson has returned to Newcastle after a very long absence. He's back in the role of Detective Sergeant, to assist in the regenaration of a very rundown estate - Valley Park, the very place where he grew up. The area is poor, neglected and blighted by crime, robberies and drugs. The residents live in constant fear and the authorities are resolute to take action.
But Lee is also back for personal reasons. He wants to find his daughter, a girl he'd never met. Will he find her? How will Debbie, her mother, react to his return? Will the girl accept this stranger as her dad?
In Newcastle Lee meets Nicola, the beautiful wife of a local hardened criminal - Micky Kelly and from then on his problems start. Nicola lives in fear of her brutal husband, and Lee finds himself attracted to her and willing to help her in her personal tragedies. However, in doing so, the two fall in love with each other. But no one messes with Micky, his family or business...
This story had me hooked from the start. It is very well-written and fast-paced, making you want to keep on reading to see how things will evolve. It is very sad knowing that such hopeless, rundown areas where crime and corruption are rife exist in real life. Thanks to the author's vivid descriptions, I could clearly visualise all characters and sites.
All characters, both good and bad, are very interesting, well-portrayed and realistic. Like Lee, I felt attracted to Nicola - she's a very strong, determined, but also sensitive and sensuous woman struggling to survive. I also loved Margy, her closest ally and friend. She's a very warm, likeable character everyone wishes to have as friend.
I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy of this book to read and review. I really enjoyed it and was surprised at how good and engrossing it turned out to be. Obviously I would highly recommend it and would definitely be looking out for more books written by this author.
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About the Author
Nicky Black is a collaboration between two friends, Nicky and Julie. Julie originally wrote The Prodigal as a commissioned two-part TV series for Granada back in 2001. It never made it to the screen, but Julie kindly allowed Nicky, ten years later, to attempt to turn the story into a novel. This is the result, and much of the dialogue in the book is taken from the original script. Julie has written for TV in the past, notably Hollyoaks and Casualty, and this is Nicky’s first novel. Both met when they worked in the urban regeneration industry nearly twenty years ago. Nicky was brought up in Northumberland and worked in Newcastle upon Tyne for twelve years before moving to London in 2002. Julie is a born and bred Geordie, and still lives in the Toon. We hope you enjoy reading this story as much as we’ve enjoyed telling it.
Book Description
Exiled from his beloved Newcastle sixteen years ago, Detective Sergeant Lee Jamieson is returning home in search of the teenage daughter he’s never met. With a good promotion under his belt and his parents gone, he’s ready to return to his roots and the warm Geordie spirit he has missed so much.
Much to his surprise, his first assignment is in Valley Park, a forgotten sink estate and home to some of the worst social deprivation in the country – the estate where he grew up, and where Nicola Kelly, the wife of a renowned local villain, calls home.
As Lee and Nicola’s lives become entwined through a series of dramatic events, they fall in love and embark on a dangerous affair that will change both of their lives forever. Nicola’s husband, Micky, has few scruples, and, as he feels her slipping away, tightens his grip on her affections.
In order for Lee and Nicola to be together, Micky Kelly has to go.
My review
Love amidst loss.
Originally written for the screen, 'The Prodigal Son' is a cleverly woven, fast-paced, gripping story.
Lee Jamieson has returned to Newcastle after a very long absence. He's back in the role of Detective Sergeant, to assist in the regenaration of a very rundown estate - Valley Park, the very place where he grew up. The area is poor, neglected and blighted by crime, robberies and drugs. The residents live in constant fear and the authorities are resolute to take action.
But Lee is also back for personal reasons. He wants to find his daughter, a girl he'd never met. Will he find her? How will Debbie, her mother, react to his return? Will the girl accept this stranger as her dad?
In Newcastle Lee meets Nicola, the beautiful wife of a local hardened criminal - Micky Kelly and from then on his problems start. Nicola lives in fear of her brutal husband, and Lee finds himself attracted to her and willing to help her in her personal tragedies. However, in doing so, the two fall in love with each other. But no one messes with Micky, his family or business...
This story had me hooked from the start. It is very well-written and fast-paced, making you want to keep on reading to see how things will evolve. It is very sad knowing that such hopeless, rundown areas where crime and corruption are rife exist in real life. Thanks to the author's vivid descriptions, I could clearly visualise all characters and sites.
All characters, both good and bad, are very interesting, well-portrayed and realistic. Like Lee, I felt attracted to Nicola - she's a very strong, determined, but also sensitive and sensuous woman struggling to survive. I also loved Margy, her closest ally and friend. She's a very warm, likeable character everyone wishes to have as friend.
I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy of this book to read and review. I really enjoyed it and was surprised at how good and engrossing it turned out to be. Obviously I would highly recommend it and would definitely be looking out for more books written by this author.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Author
Nicky Black is a collaboration between two friends, Nicky and Julie. Julie originally wrote The Prodigal as a commissioned two-part TV series for Granada back in 2001. It never made it to the screen, but Julie kindly allowed Nicky, ten years later, to attempt to turn the story into a novel. This is the result, and much of the dialogue in the book is taken from the original script. Julie has written for TV in the past, notably Hollyoaks and Casualty, and this is Nicky’s first novel. Both met when they worked in the urban regeneration industry nearly twenty years ago. Nicky was brought up in Northumberland and worked in Newcastle upon Tyne for twelve years before moving to London in 2002. Julie is a born and bred Geordie, and still lives in the Toon. We hope you enjoy reading this story as much as we’ve enjoyed telling it.
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