thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
Visit the locations in the novel
Doug Johnstone has taken me to some gritty places via his books. I’ve lived in Edinburgh but have never seen this side of the city thank goodness. It’s a unique and gripping premise though; following the house breakers around the city as they case joint after joint.
It makes for uncomfortable reading at times. People who steal from others are hardly going to be sympathetic characters are they? Except some of these are. The family in the novel are from the wrong side of the track and have struggled with life from day one. Their version of life, of the daily grind, of how to survive in an increasingly expensive world is very different from the comfortable version many people have. Doug never excuses them but paints a stained picture of honour, commitment and doing their best when life throws one pile of rubbish after another at them.
This gritty insight paints Edinburgh in a non too favourable light. However, this is a city of rich and poor, of haves and have nots and is typical of any city across the world really. Except, Edinburgh seems to have extremes; houses with turrets and wastegrounds where gangs have to hang out. Craigmillar Castle features as the icon of the area where most of the action takes place. A historically impressive caste – surrounded not by a moat, but the poorest of the city. An icon of wealth bearing down on Tyler and his family.
Doug writes gritty grimy crime fiction like no-one else. It’s a raw visceral visit this one. Top notch writing and dialogue which spits out at you from the page.
noveldeelights's review
5.0
Every once in a while, it really hits home how hard this reviewing malarkey can be. Especially when you come across a book like Breakers. While I was reading, I already realised there was no way any of the words I could possibly come up with would do this book justice.
Having only read Doug Johnstone’s previous book, Fault Lines, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Breakers but it soon became apparent Johnstone is seemingly somewhat of a chameleon who can seamlessly switch genres. In this case, from a dystopian novel to a psychological thriller. But not just any psychological thriller. This is one with a difference, incredibly original and with an amazing level of depth to it that you don’t always find in this genre.
Seventeen year old Tyler lives in Edinburgh with his mother and his seven year old sister. Life is hard in one of the most depraved areas of this city and Tyler is being bullied by his older half-brother into burgling houses of the more affluent residents. But one night, things go horribly wrong when a homeowner returns home unexpectedly and Tyler’s brother stabs her. Unbeknownst to them, this woman is the wife of Edinburgh’s biggest crime lord, Deke Holt, and he is not a man to be messed with.
This isn’t an easy story to read. It’s at times massively uncomfortable and immensely sad. Tyler’s circumstances are extremely heartbreaking and I really felt for him and everything he had to deal with on a daily basis. His love for his sister, Bean, and his fierce determination in protecting her and keeping her safe almost brought a tear to my eye. Stuck in this cycle of poverty, addiction and violence, Tyler goes out of his way to somehow create an environment of normalcy for his sister, a routine, all the while doing whatever he can to shield her from the things that are really going on around her.
A little beacon of light comes from a somewhat unlikely source when Tyler meets Flick. Flick is posh, goes to an expensive boarding school and drives a flashy car. She seems to have everything Tyler wants from life but looks can be deceiving. Watching their friendship develop was truly heartwarming. Flick sees Tyler the same way I, as the reader, did. As a young man who is good, who does good, but is also forced to do bad and unable to see a way out.
Breakers is quite dark and gritty. It’s tense and constantly has this sense of impending doom. I kept feeling deep down this couldn’t end well but was utterly unable to see how things would turn out. Tyler is one of those characters you become completely invested in, one you’ll root for all the way. This gripping, compelling, raw, sometimes brutal and utterly thought-provoking novel will make you reel against the injustice, will make you feel helpless, will put your own life into perspective and appreciate what you have. Breakers is a story that will stay with me for quite some time to come and I’m secretly hoping for a follow-up to see what becomes of Tyler and Bean.
Having only read Doug Johnstone’s previous book, Fault Lines, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Breakers but it soon became apparent Johnstone is seemingly somewhat of a chameleon who can seamlessly switch genres. In this case, from a dystopian novel to a psychological thriller. But not just any psychological thriller. This is one with a difference, incredibly original and with an amazing level of depth to it that you don’t always find in this genre.
Seventeen year old Tyler lives in Edinburgh with his mother and his seven year old sister. Life is hard in one of the most depraved areas of this city and Tyler is being bullied by his older half-brother into burgling houses of the more affluent residents. But one night, things go horribly wrong when a homeowner returns home unexpectedly and Tyler’s brother stabs her. Unbeknownst to them, this woman is the wife of Edinburgh’s biggest crime lord, Deke Holt, and he is not a man to be messed with.
This isn’t an easy story to read. It’s at times massively uncomfortable and immensely sad. Tyler’s circumstances are extremely heartbreaking and I really felt for him and everything he had to deal with on a daily basis. His love for his sister, Bean, and his fierce determination in protecting her and keeping her safe almost brought a tear to my eye. Stuck in this cycle of poverty, addiction and violence, Tyler goes out of his way to somehow create an environment of normalcy for his sister, a routine, all the while doing whatever he can to shield her from the things that are really going on around her.
A little beacon of light comes from a somewhat unlikely source when Tyler meets Flick. Flick is posh, goes to an expensive boarding school and drives a flashy car. She seems to have everything Tyler wants from life but looks can be deceiving. Watching their friendship develop was truly heartwarming. Flick sees Tyler the same way I, as the reader, did. As a young man who is good, who does good, but is also forced to do bad and unable to see a way out.
Breakers is quite dark and gritty. It’s tense and constantly has this sense of impending doom. I kept feeling deep down this couldn’t end well but was utterly unable to see how things would turn out. Tyler is one of those characters you become completely invested in, one you’ll root for all the way. This gripping, compelling, raw, sometimes brutal and utterly thought-provoking novel will make you reel against the injustice, will make you feel helpless, will put your own life into perspective and appreciate what you have. Breakers is a story that will stay with me for quite some time to come and I’m secretly hoping for a follow-up to see what becomes of Tyler and Bean.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.5
Finished reading: May 18th 2019
"Everything with her was a performance, layered in irony, wrapped up in too much self-awareness. It was sweet but fucked up, tiring to go along with, like he was supposed to dig around for the real her."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Anne Cater and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
I knew I had to read Breakers as soon as I first read the blurb. The Edinburgh setting, the devastating home situation of the main character, the mention of a crime lord involved... Oh yes, there were a lot of signs this was going to be an explosive and emotionally harrowing read. My instincts were right, because it turned out to be an absolute scorcher! In fact, the second thriller in a row to make me forget about everything else and finish the whole book in one sitting.
There is a lot to love in Breakers. The first thing that stands out is the writing style: the story is well written, engaging and the descriptions are done exceptionally well. The real power behind Breakers are the main characters though. Both flawed and realistic, Tyler, Flick and little Bean will win over your heart and you will ache for them as things are spinning out of control. Tyler has a very difficult life at home with his drug-addict mother and his violent older brother, but somehow he still manages to grow up pretty decent and protect his little sister Bean. His story is heartbreaking and Tyler's relationship with his little sister earned a lot of brownie points! It's obvious he doesn't have an easy life, and it's interesting to see his situation being contrasted to Flick's life. It shows that having money doesn't necessarily mean a happy life, but it does make things easier... It also shows that in the end they are not as different as Tyler thinks. Barry is a real pain and very easy to dislike, but his character is ment this way and helps show a contrast with his younger brother and that a difficult home situation doesn't mean all kids turn out the same.
Another thing I could really appreciate was the crime lord element; it definitely spiced up the plot! At first we get a dose of minor crime as Barry, Kelly and Tyler rob houses, but then things take a turn for the worse as Barry knifes the wife of local crime lord Deke Holt. Things spin out of control quickly then and it shows in Barry's character as well as he becomes even more unstable and violent. The situation of Tyler's mother is tragic and shows us the effects of drug and alcohol addiction; children left fending for themselves as parents are no longer able to take care of them. Little Bean brings something sweet and innocent to the plot though. Her relationship with Tyler and innocent look on life are used as another contrast between 'good and bad'.
Both character description and development are simply sublime in Breakers. It was fascinating to see how the different characters reacted to the situations that arised! This story was brutal and emotionally draining, but highly satisfying as a whole. Trigger warnings are in place for violence, abuse, alcoholism and drug addiction... Each of these elements is well incorporated into the plot and used to realistically display how tragic the home situation of Tyler and his little sister basically is. It is all a vicious circle almost impossible to escape... As you might have guessed already, Breakers is an absolutely fantastic and brutal story that fans of the genre will most likely devour in one sitting. I know I did!
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
Visit the locations in the novel
Doug Johnstone has taken me to some gritty places via his books. I’ve lived in Edinburgh but have never seen this side of the city thank goodness. It’s a unique and gripping premise though; following the house breakers around the city as they case joint after joint.
It makes for uncomfortable reading at times. People who steal from others are hardly going to be sympathetic characters are they? Except some of these are. The family in the novel are from the wrong side of the track and have struggled with life from day one. Their version of life, of the daily grind, of how to survive in an increasingly expensive world is very different from the comfortable version many people have. Doug never excuses them but paints a stained picture of honour, commitment and doing their best when life throws one pile of rubbish after another at them.
This gritty insight paints Edinburgh in a non too favourable light. However, this is a city of rich and poor, of haves and have nots and is typical of any city across the world really. Except, Edinburgh seems to have extremes; houses with turrets and wastegrounds where gangs have to hang out. Craigmillar Castle features as the icon of the area where most of the action takes place. A historically impressive caste – surrounded not by a moat, but the poorest of the city. An icon of wealth bearing down on Tyler and his family.
Doug writes gritty grimy crime fiction like no-one else. It’s a raw visceral visit this one. Top notch writing and dialogue which spits out at you from the page.
steph1rothwell's review against another edition
5.0
Every so often I read a book where I am reluctant to put it down. Where I need to know what the characters would be facing next. Breakers was one of those books. I needed to know that Tyler, aged seventeen, responsible for his younger sister, Bean, would stay safe.
He isn’t entirely innocent, the danger he is in is because he was breaking the law. But when you start to see how how relationship with his elder siblings Barry and Kelly and the terrible situation his mother was in you know he had little choice.
Each of the siblings had an affect on me. Tyler is still at school, is trying his best to be there for Bean, clean up after his drug addict and alcoholic mother and avoid the local police officer who tries to help, of only he could see it. If it was possible to help a character in a book I would do. Kelly, out of her depth, with a misguided loyalty, probably governed by fear. Barry, a vicious bully, coke head, and capable of anything. Barry was a character who I feared more than many others I have ‘met’ in fiction. And Bean, adorable, outspoken, wise beyond her years.
But Tyler isn’t the only one whose family life is tough. Flick, wealthy, privileged, but whose family are not as perfect as you’d expect them to be. Pearce, the police officer who tried to be a friend because she knew how difficult it was. And who proved that life could be turned around.
The relationship between Tyler and Bean was something special. Warmth, love and devotion in an impossible situation. Their scenes together, even the bedtime stories were special. Even more so when you could see their relationship with Barry.
It is a believable read. I imagine there are families like Tyler’s everywhere.
He isn’t entirely innocent, the danger he is in is because he was breaking the law. But when you start to see how how relationship with his elder siblings Barry and Kelly and the terrible situation his mother was in you know he had little choice.
Each of the siblings had an affect on me. Tyler is still at school, is trying his best to be there for Bean, clean up after his drug addict and alcoholic mother and avoid the local police officer who tries to help, of only he could see it. If it was possible to help a character in a book I would do. Kelly, out of her depth, with a misguided loyalty, probably governed by fear. Barry, a vicious bully, coke head, and capable of anything. Barry was a character who I feared more than many others I have ‘met’ in fiction. And Bean, adorable, outspoken, wise beyond her years.
But Tyler isn’t the only one whose family life is tough. Flick, wealthy, privileged, but whose family are not as perfect as you’d expect them to be. Pearce, the police officer who tried to be a friend because she knew how difficult it was. And who proved that life could be turned around.
The relationship between Tyler and Bean was something special. Warmth, love and devotion in an impossible situation. Their scenes together, even the bedtime stories were special. Even more so when you could see their relationship with Barry.
It is a believable read. I imagine there are families like Tyler’s everywhere.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
I first came across this author after reading his novel, Hit and Run. Since then I have gone on to read nearly every one of his novels, there’s just one that i still need to read, but have enjoyed them all. There was something about Hit and Run that has remained one of my personal favourites and for me Breakers is very much on par with it.
The author has created a young protagonist that will have the reader really caring about. Tyler is a young adult whose life certainly isn’t one he would choose for himself. There is very much a conflict of good versus evil going on in his head. Right from the start I knew he was a good lad but circumstances have him involved with stuff that he knows is wrong but he does it for the easy life to be left alone by his controlling older brother.
The relationship between Tyler and his younger sister Bean (Bethany), was so heart warming. I just wanted to pick them up and take them away from it all. Their childhood is certainly one that no child should endure but sadly they do. The author has created a very credible story of how easy it is for young adults to fall into the life of crime and what life is like in the poorest parts of a big city where crime and drugs are rife.
Breakers is a hard hitting and at times, heart wrenching, story. There is so much depth and meaning in this novel that it was hard not to get emotional at times. It is dark and gritty and had me gripped throughout. This is a novel where the main character really captured my heart and whose story will stay with me for a long time to come. Would love for the author to do a follow up book at some point.
My thanks to Orenda and Anne Cater for inviting me to be part of the blog tour and for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The author has created a young protagonist that will have the reader really caring about. Tyler is a young adult whose life certainly isn’t one he would choose for himself. There is very much a conflict of good versus evil going on in his head. Right from the start I knew he was a good lad but circumstances have him involved with stuff that he knows is wrong but he does it for the easy life to be left alone by his controlling older brother.
The relationship between Tyler and his younger sister Bean (Bethany), was so heart warming. I just wanted to pick them up and take them away from it all. Their childhood is certainly one that no child should endure but sadly they do. The author has created a very credible story of how easy it is for young adults to fall into the life of crime and what life is like in the poorest parts of a big city where crime and drugs are rife.
Breakers is a hard hitting and at times, heart wrenching, story. There is so much depth and meaning in this novel that it was hard not to get emotional at times. It is dark and gritty and had me gripped throughout. This is a novel where the main character really captured my heart and whose story will stay with me for a long time to come. Would love for the author to do a follow up book at some point.
My thanks to Orenda and Anne Cater for inviting me to be part of the blog tour and for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
eleellis's review against another edition
4.0
Breakers by Doug Johnstone is a crime novel where Tyler Wallace, a young teen boy, is forced to be the adult in his dysfunctional family while living in a subsidized, high-rise tenement building while his mother proves incapable of tending to her family.
Tyler also is responsible for his younger sister nicknamed Bean and is groomed into participating in residential burglaries by his violent, older half-brother and half-sister. Along the way, unbeknownst to Tyler, the three end up burglarizing the wrong house in a burglary that goes wrong and ends up resulting in the three being hunted by the dangerous homeowner.
Breakers is well written and flows really nicely and is the type of novel where the author has created a mostly believeable story that includes characters the reader does care about.
Breakers is one of the best novels I have read this year and recommended to readers that like the writing of authors like Richard Price, George Pelecanos and crime tales that are both morality tales and tales that leave a mark.
Tyler also is responsible for his younger sister nicknamed Bean and is groomed into participating in residential burglaries by his violent, older half-brother and half-sister. Along the way, unbeknownst to Tyler, the three end up burglarizing the wrong house in a burglary that goes wrong and ends up resulting in the three being hunted by the dangerous homeowner.
Breakers is well written and flows really nicely and is the type of novel where the author has created a mostly believeable story that includes characters the reader does care about.
Breakers is one of the best novels I have read this year and recommended to readers that like the writing of authors like Richard Price, George Pelecanos and crime tales that are both morality tales and tales that leave a mark.
lisara1979's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kellylacey's review against another edition
5.0
I went into Breakers expecting something quite extraordinary after reading all the reviews and book blogs, the bar was set very high. I finished Breakers exhausted, humbled and truly satisfied. Doug Johnstone has done something truly unique in capturing the very essence of a place and portraying it so honestly and bringing it to life like it was a character and not a place.
We meet Tyler who lives in Niddrie with his junkie mum and his little sister Bean. Tyler's lifestyle is tragic and unfortunately true to life for some people. For me, I had the bonus of knowing the places in the book. I have grown up around them, I live in Musselburgh where the character Flick is from. Niddrie has always in my almost 40 years been known as the "rough" area. I remember dating a boy in high school and that got short shift when my parents knew he lived in Niddrie. Over recent years it has had a huge overhaul and an influx of immigrants have moved into the area. Niddrie Mains was demolished, and private houses went up. There is a difference as you drive through it you can see it, but the past still lingers almost haunting the suburb. There is still trouble in the area and it’s not somewhere you would want to go alone on a nighttime. Niddrie plays a huge role in Breakers and Doug Johnstone captures it perfectly.
Tyler meets Flick who is worlds away from his Niddrie life. Even though it is only about twenty minutes away. She lives in Musselburgh and attends Loretto private school which is a real place and is about a fifteen walk from my house. Growing up
I went to the local grammar school we would never have spoken or hung about with the Loretto girls. Even now, the schools don't mix even though they are very close to each other. Tyler and Flick's worlds colliding has drastic consequences. I enjoyed the balance of the two extremes. Rich and very poor and the dynamic of them coming together was genius.
My journey with Breakers was so enjoyable I didn't want it to stop. It is so realistic, and the characters are so believable. Little Bean has a starring role and I think everyone who reads the book will fall in love with her. The whole reading journey you are disgusted and disturbed that people live like this. It really is one step up from being completely homeless. Living in squalor with little to no food and surrounded with junkies and dangerous people. It feels hopeless and that is the very core of the book. Feeling stuck with the inability to see change or have hope.
Breakers deserves all praise it has been given and then a whole lot more. Doug Johnstone has achieved what many authors attempt but fail to do. He has written fresh and original Scottish crime fiction that has the potential for an amazing series.
Breakers is disturbing, dangerous and heart-breaking, more, please!
We meet Tyler who lives in Niddrie with his junkie mum and his little sister Bean. Tyler's lifestyle is tragic and unfortunately true to life for some people. For me, I had the bonus of knowing the places in the book. I have grown up around them, I live in Musselburgh where the character Flick is from. Niddrie has always in my almost 40 years been known as the "rough" area. I remember dating a boy in high school and that got short shift when my parents knew he lived in Niddrie. Over recent years it has had a huge overhaul and an influx of immigrants have moved into the area. Niddrie Mains was demolished, and private houses went up. There is a difference as you drive through it you can see it, but the past still lingers almost haunting the suburb. There is still trouble in the area and it’s not somewhere you would want to go alone on a nighttime. Niddrie plays a huge role in Breakers and Doug Johnstone captures it perfectly.
Tyler meets Flick who is worlds away from his Niddrie life. Even though it is only about twenty minutes away. She lives in Musselburgh and attends Loretto private school which is a real place and is about a fifteen walk from my house. Growing up
I went to the local grammar school we would never have spoken or hung about with the Loretto girls. Even now, the schools don't mix even though they are very close to each other. Tyler and Flick's worlds colliding has drastic consequences. I enjoyed the balance of the two extremes. Rich and very poor and the dynamic of them coming together was genius.
My journey with Breakers was so enjoyable I didn't want it to stop. It is so realistic, and the characters are so believable. Little Bean has a starring role and I think everyone who reads the book will fall in love with her. The whole reading journey you are disgusted and disturbed that people live like this. It really is one step up from being completely homeless. Living in squalor with little to no food and surrounded with junkies and dangerous people. It feels hopeless and that is the very core of the book. Feeling stuck with the inability to see change or have hope.
Breakers deserves all praise it has been given and then a whole lot more. Doug Johnstone has achieved what many authors attempt but fail to do. He has written fresh and original Scottish crime fiction that has the potential for an amazing series.
Breakers is disturbing, dangerous and heart-breaking, more, please!