This was endorsed by David Peace, whose books I love, and I thought the style was very reminiscent of his writing. This is the first in a planned trilogy and takes place partly in 1978 and partly in 1983, The title comes the Rock Against Racism Carnival in Victoria Park, covered in this book, and was sung by the Clash and Jimmy Pursey of Sham 69.

Much of the novel is set in Hackney, where I work, and the whole novel has nods not only to the music of the time but to my beloved West Ham – with characters having names such as Noble, Rice and Cole – and being set around an area and era that I know well. Perhaps that helped me engage with the story, as I can see reviews are mixed, but I recall this time very well and think Thomas captures it perfectly. The book features many real-life people interspersed with the fictional, so we have Thatcher, Paul Weller, various politicians and also real-life events, including the death of Colin Roach from a gunshot wound in the entrance of Stoke Newington police station in 1983.

For anyone who lived in London at that time, much will be familiar, including the then – as now – polarised political landscape. From Rock against Racism to the National Front ‘NF’ logo, which was painted everywhere and seemingly endless marches and demonstrations. The casual racism and sexism, ‘winter of discontent’ and stop and search laws, the poverty and the poor housing, as well as those trying to make a difference. This is a book about police corruption, drugs, crime and violence and it will not appeal to everyone, but I feel the author has painted a truthful and compelling portrait of that time and I look forward to reading on and discovering where the characters go next. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

Unfortunately I found the writing to be too difficult to get to grips with and I had to put this book to one side. It's a real shame, because the storyline was obviously building and ramping up the tension, but I couldn't concentrate. I got confused about who was speaking and when.

It's a shame, because I love the premise. Thatcher's London and the music to accompany it. I'm sorry to leave a negative review. Thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was disappointed with this book for two reasons. A sentence generally has a subject, a verb and usually an object. There are far too many non-sentences here. I understand they're designed to set the scene or create an atmosphere but they sometimes continued for half a page. The other disappointment lay in the detailed descriptions of how someone got from A to B in Hackney. I don't know Hackney. I don't care what all of the street names are and I don't care if you have to turn left then right, etc.

The story itself is decent enough and was made interesting for me because it covers history that I lived through. The book is the first of a trilogy. I suspect that, if the non-sentences and trip details were removed, the trilogy would make one good book.

Not for me, I'm afraid.

3/5 Good.

A Difficult book both to read and review. Set in London of the late 70s and early 80s, with Thatchers rule beginning, this story told from several voices that really takes you back to the time.

The Racism is the main element of this story, the 2nd class treatment of the Black Man, the dirty corrupt police. With a Government no better.

It’s written in an extremely unique voice - somewhat difficult at times , i did toy with not finishing it once or twice but I continued on to the end.

I’m glad I did read the way through. It’s frightening to see how far we have not come. How little has really changed and how still the government is essentially the same no matter who’s at the head of it.

It’s extremely political, it’s quite brutal to be honest. It’s not an easy read. It’s not what I expected it to be. At the end it becomes apparent it’s set for another book or two. I probably won’t continue the journey.

Unfortunately not to my taste, although I did think I would enjoy it at first. Perhaps it could have grown on me, but decided to put to the side.