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When the Music's Over
When Benny Gower murders his business partner few people doubt his good reasons for doing so. Unlike Benny, it’s not as if Harry Weir was popular. But he was the heir to Birmingham’s most violent and dangerous criminal organisation.For Wynn McDonald, dragged out of retirement for the sake of his old gangland accomplices, motive doesn’t matter. All he cares about is tracking down the nightclub manager turned killer. But before Wynn can extract necessary vengeance he’ll need to turn over every stone on his way to finding answers. And not everybody’s going to be happy with the truths that come crawling out.Praise for Aidan ThornWhen the Music’s Over is a classic crime story of winners and losers among the music, drugs and nightclubs of Britain’s second city."A revenge filled romp into the underbelly of noir." -Just a Guy That Likes to Read"Moves along at a good pace, but the well-developed characters (Wynn in particular) make you savour, rather than gulp the pages down. It is a story filled with sub plots and depth, with equal parts menace and melancholy, beautifully written to a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended." -Robert Cowan (author of The Search for Ethan)"I don’t think the Birmingham tourist bureau is going to be clapping Thorn on the back any time soon, but he brings the city to vivid (albeit criminal) life. Thorn captures the hungry band on the edge of success so well. Even the aged and jaded hired gun finds himself captivated by the secrets of the past — and the brutal payoffs they set in motion." -Graham Wynd (author of Extricate)"When the Music’s Over by Aidan Thorn is a hell of a hit of noir. Everything about it feels right; great characters, perfect plotting, great economy of words, and most importantly, it is a satisfying read that hooks you from the beginning and leaves you no choice but to read it to its blistering end." -Regular Guy Reading Noir"A lethal cocktail of hardboiled crime fiction as well as a touching study of regret and disappointment. The action is brutal, the characters are vividly drawn, the pacing is gripping. Aidan Thorn’s When the Music's Over is a powerful slice of Brit Grit crime fiction that is highly recommended." -Paul D Brazill (author of Guns of Brixton and Cold London Blues)"The ingredients of the story work well, the ending is very satisfying. The characters are well-drawn and the setting is nicely created. Overall, a fun and rewarding visit into dark territories. Definitely one for the list for fans of things Brit Grit." -Nigel Bird (author of Southsiders)"The author knows his roots and it comes across better because of it. The story flows smoothly and the imagery the author created was effective and compelling. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining short read that was told from a refreshing perspective." - Darren Sant (author of The Bank Manager and the Bum and Tales of the Longcroft)"Aidan Thorn writes about the terror and awe of modern life with a clear eye and a courage that is so refreshing, it's nothing less than miraculous. In a literary landscape too often given over to the ephemeral, the commercial and the unashamedly vapid, Aidan writes tales so authentic, so imbued with a true power they could be chiselled on the damn mountains." -Gareth Spark (author of Black Rain, Rain in a Dry Land and Snake Farm)"Rounded, realist stories that are gritty, but believable, inhabited by people you feel you know even after a few pages. A writer to watch." -Robert Cowan (author of The Search for Ethan)"Thugs, gangsters, desperadoes, and the odd good egg... Thorn writes about characters formed on estates, who want to do good, but have had the joy beaten out of them by circumstances. Thorn gets under your skin." -Jason Beech (author of Over the Shoulder and Bullets, Teeth and Fists)
ebook
First published September 13, 2015
About the author
Aidan Thorn
15 books9 followersAidan Thorn is a writer from Southampton, England. Southampton is home to the Spitfire and the greatest footballer ever to have lived, Matthew Le Tissier, however, sadly it's more famous for being the place a big ship left from before sinking and the home of Craig David. Aidan would like to put Southampton on the map for more than sinking ships and bad music.
Aidan's first short story collection, Criminal Thoughts, was released in December 2013. His short fiction has also appeared in the Byker Books Radgepacket series and the Near to the Knuckle Anthology: Gloves Off, as well as online at various eZines. He is currently working on two novella length projects and various short stories for his next collection.
Aidan's first short story collection, Criminal Thoughts, was released in December 2013. His short fiction has also appeared in the Byker Books Radgepacket series and the Near to the Knuckle Anthology: Gloves Off, as well as online at various eZines. He is currently working on two novella length projects and various short stories for his next collection.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 23, 2015
Benny Gower is a stand-up guy caught up in a world of crime sustained by drugs, violence, and intimidation. He's the nice guy of the underworld, running nightclubs and musicians, kicking cash up to the powers that be on the regular. He even manages to turn his junkie girlfriend away from the poison she pumps into her body. So naturally things all go to shit for him in a moment of red rage that leaves the heir apparent to the criminal organisation dead and causes a retired hit man to strap on the tools of the trade to hunt down Benny.
WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER is a revenge fueled romp into the underbelly of noir.
When Benny guns down Weir (the man caught sleeping with his's girlfriend and the supplier of her habit) his world turns for a second time, with the first, being the catalyst for his entry into the underworld - the same underworld he now finds himself on the run from.
The story largely follows Wynn, the hit man commissioned from retirement to track down Benny as he questions all known acquaintances in order to locate his quarry. The tact allows the author to progressively provide the reader with insight into Benny's character and context to the almost justifiable homicide. There are also nice touches of character development that make Wynn more human than just a generic hit man.
WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER is a quick read that sits nicely in the carved out niche of noir.
http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER is a revenge fueled romp into the underbelly of noir.
When Benny guns down Weir (the man caught sleeping with his's girlfriend and the supplier of her habit) his world turns for a second time, with the first, being the catalyst for his entry into the underworld - the same underworld he now finds himself on the run from.
The story largely follows Wynn, the hit man commissioned from retirement to track down Benny as he questions all known acquaintances in order to locate his quarry. The tact allows the author to progressively provide the reader with insight into Benny's character and context to the almost justifiable homicide. There are also nice touches of character development that make Wynn more human than just a generic hit man.
WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER is a quick read that sits nicely in the carved out niche of noir.
http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
September 13, 2015
Revenge is bittersweet for failed musician Benny Gower.
Gower murders Birmingham drug-dealer Harry Weir and goes on the run.
Retired enforcer Wynn McDonald is reluctantly sent to track down Gower.
What ensues is a lethal cocktail of hardboiled crime fiction as well as a touching study of regret and disappointment. The action is brutal, the characters are vividly drawn, the pacing is gripping.
Aidan Thorn’s When The Music’s Over is a powerful slice of Brit Grit crime fiction that is highly recommended.
Gower murders Birmingham drug-dealer Harry Weir and goes on the run.
Retired enforcer Wynn McDonald is reluctantly sent to track down Gower.
What ensues is a lethal cocktail of hardboiled crime fiction as well as a touching study of regret and disappointment. The action is brutal, the characters are vividly drawn, the pacing is gripping.
Aidan Thorn’s When The Music’s Over is a powerful slice of Brit Grit crime fiction that is highly recommended.
February 11, 2019
sweet and crisp five star read !
October 22, 2015
“You’re from an age before online banking and living off credit. You can track Benny down the old-fashioned way. And once you get the money back, you can do him the old-fashioned way as well.”
When The Music’s Over is a tale set in Birmingham’s gangland. It has good guys turning bad, bad guys staying bad and an ex-enforcer who comes out of retirement and isn’t sure which way to turn.
Harry Weir is a nasty piece of work. He’s a drug dealer who has become mean and complacent. He’s also the son of one of the bosses of Birmingham’s biggest crime syndicate. He meets his end at the hands of Benny Gower at the story's opening. Benny then steals from his bosses before doing a good job of covering his tracks with a move to Southampton.
Enter Wynn McDonald. Wynn’s an old-time crook with a big reputation. He is called up by gangsters Castle and Weir to track down Harry’s killer and to locate the cash that has disappeared. Wynn would be happy to stay away from his old business, but his ties are strong and his loyalties clear. As he investigates Benny, however, his feelings begin to change. No one has a bad word to say about Benny Gower and everyone seems to be rooting for the guy.
Wynn’s good at his job and soon has leads on Benny. The only thing he’s not sure of is how he’s going to clean up the situation at hand. A glimpse into Benny’s past life as a rock star and new information about the real reason his band never made the big time only serve to muddy the waters as Wynn becomes increasingly torn between doing the right thing and staying true to his past.
The ingredients of the story work well the ending is very satisfying. The characters are well-drawn and the setting is nicely created. To my mind, keeping the focus in the moment and tightening the prose a little could have added even more to the power and pace the work generates.
Overall, a fun and rewarding visit into dark territories. Definitely one for the list for fans of things Brit Grit.
When The Music’s Over is a tale set in Birmingham’s gangland. It has good guys turning bad, bad guys staying bad and an ex-enforcer who comes out of retirement and isn’t sure which way to turn.
Harry Weir is a nasty piece of work. He’s a drug dealer who has become mean and complacent. He’s also the son of one of the bosses of Birmingham’s biggest crime syndicate. He meets his end at the hands of Benny Gower at the story's opening. Benny then steals from his bosses before doing a good job of covering his tracks with a move to Southampton.
Enter Wynn McDonald. Wynn’s an old-time crook with a big reputation. He is called up by gangsters Castle and Weir to track down Harry’s killer and to locate the cash that has disappeared. Wynn would be happy to stay away from his old business, but his ties are strong and his loyalties clear. As he investigates Benny, however, his feelings begin to change. No one has a bad word to say about Benny Gower and everyone seems to be rooting for the guy.
Wynn’s good at his job and soon has leads on Benny. The only thing he’s not sure of is how he’s going to clean up the situation at hand. A glimpse into Benny’s past life as a rock star and new information about the real reason his band never made the big time only serve to muddy the waters as Wynn becomes increasingly torn between doing the right thing and staying true to his past.
The ingredients of the story work well the ending is very satisfying. The characters are well-drawn and the setting is nicely created. To my mind, keeping the focus in the moment and tightening the prose a little could have added even more to the power and pace the work generates.
Overall, a fun and rewarding visit into dark territories. Definitely one for the list for fans of things Brit Grit.
September 25, 2015
When the Music's Over by Aidan Thorn is British Crime the Crime is Supposed to be and a perfect follow up to last years collection Criminal Thoughts. Can't wait for more from this young author
January 12, 2016
I've been a fan of Aidan Thorn's writing ever since I saw a story of his in an anthology from Byker Books. I've been following his work since then. What I like about When the Music's Over is that it is unashamedly British. I've seen so many English author's trying to replicate the high quality U.S. noir fiction they've obviously read and love. The author knows his roots and it comes across better because of it.
Another thing I like about this novella is that we get to see a large part of it from the perspective of the hit man that has been hired to take out our hero. The killer is a well-drawn character who acts tough and talks tough but has some very human failings. He's confronted with his own mortality in the form of an illness and he finds that this is changing his perspective on things and hampering his ability to do his job. Given his failing health will he be able to close the hit and take his pay out? This is question I asked myself a lot as I read this story.
The story flow smoothly and the imagery the author created was effective and compelling. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining short read that was told from a refreshing perspective.
Another thing I like about this novella is that we get to see a large part of it from the perspective of the hit man that has been hired to take out our hero. The killer is a well-drawn character who acts tough and talks tough but has some very human failings. He's confronted with his own mortality in the form of an illness and he finds that this is changing his perspective on things and hampering his ability to do his job. Given his failing health will he be able to close the hit and take his pay out? This is question I asked myself a lot as I read this story.
The story flow smoothly and the imagery the author created was effective and compelling. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining short read that was told from a refreshing perspective.
March 26, 2016
Music venue manager Benny Gower goes on the run after killing the son of Midlands criminal kingpin Terry Weir. In retaliation Weir and crime partner Alan Castle bring old pro Wynn McDonald out of retirement for one last assignment – track down Gower and deliver savage justice. Author Aidan Thorn takes a fairly straightforward crime plot but works hard to bring an amazing amount of substance and depth to the backstory and characters that results in a shocking yet emotional novella. As crime enforcer Wynn scours Birmingham for clues we see his attitude start to change, as he slowly realises the true consequences of the criminal underworld that he’s spent his whole life working for. The whole narrative builds confidently to the inevitable showdown between the hunter and the hunted, with a surprising yet satisfying ending. I highly recommend When the Music’s Over to any Brit Grit fan and this powerful offering from Number Thirteen Press also leaves me curious to seek out other titles from the publisher in the near future. Enjoy.
August 12, 2016
Thorn’s novella rips along with action from the first page: we follow first time killer Benny Gower and seasoned killer Wynn McDonald in alternating chapters, then jump back to the past to see where the bad blood started. I don’t think the Birmingham tourist bureau is going to be clapping Thorn on the back any time soon, but he brings the city to vivid (albeit criminal) life.
There’s a little bit of head hopping in the ’90s section but it’s not much of a distraction because Thorn captures the hungry band on the edge of success so well. Even the aged and jaded hired gun finds himself captivated by the secrets of the past — and the brutal payoffs they set in motion.
Great fun, a meaty read but still short enough to read fairly quickly — which is good because once you start, you won’t want to stop until you get to the end.
There’s a little bit of head hopping in the ’90s section but it’s not much of a distraction because Thorn captures the hungry band on the edge of success so well. Even the aged and jaded hired gun finds himself captivated by the secrets of the past — and the brutal payoffs they set in motion.
Great fun, a meaty read but still short enough to read fairly quickly — which is good because once you start, you won’t want to stop until you get to the end.
October 2, 2015
Having read and enjoyed Thorns Urban Decay shorts collection I was looking forward to this, his first novella. It's an excellent story centring on retired hitman, Wynn MacDonald, called back by his old bosses to track down and kill the murderer of one of said boss's son. It moves along at a good pace, but the well-developed characters (Wynn in particular) make you savour, rather than gulp the pages down. As the aging heavy hunts his victim he finds himself torn, as what he discovers along the way makes him question not only his mission but also his life's work.
It a story filled with sub plots and depth, with equal parts menace and melancholy, beautifully written to a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.
It a story filled with sub plots and depth, with equal parts menace and melancholy, beautifully written to a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.
April 16, 2016
This novella comes at Brit Grit from an unusual and very satisfying angle: it's a morality tale. Aidan Thorn does a fine job of inverting expectations while at the same time tipping his hat to the genre's history. The underside of Birmingham is well depicted, and I enjoyed the tie-in to the music scene. More than anything, though, two themes stand out: the feelings of loss that his characters experience, and the damage that organized crime wreaks on common folk.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews