truecrime - Softcover

Arnott, Jake. Truecrime. First Edition. London, Sceptre, 2003. Octavo. 338 pages. Original Softcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Jake Arnott (born 11 March 1961) is a British novelist, author of The Long Firm and four other novels. He identifies as bisexual. However, in 2005 Arnott was ranked one of Britain's 100 most influential gay and lesbian people. It was declared that 'he is widely regarded as one of Britain's most promising novelists, quite regardless of sexuality'. Arnott was born in Buckinghamshire. Having left Aylesbury Grammar School at 17, he had various jobs including labourer, mortuary technician, artist's model, theatrical agency assistant, actor with the Red Ladder Theatre Company in Leeds and appeared as a mummy in the film The Mummy. He came out as bisexual in his twenties. His sister, Deborah Arnott, is Chief Executive of the campaigning charity Action on Smoking and Health, ASH. (Wikipedia).

Sparklingly witty, immensely profound ... It should be read as a matter of urgency. (Erwin James, Guardian)

Sparklingly witty, immensely profound ... his fictional (or, more accurately, factional) characters bristle with authenticity, ensuring that the reader is drawn willingly alongside them into the mire ... an ironic, postmodern morality tale that I found the most compelling in the series ... It should be read as a matter of urgency. (Erwin James, Guardian)

The most expansive, ironical and funny novel of the series. (David Isaacson, Daily Telegraph)

Arnott delivers a beacon-bright satire ... [a] literary triumph (Metro)

Arnott earned his spurs in [his] first two novels, both pin-sharp and tough as hide. In the conclusion there's a little less action and a little more conversation, but that only furthers Arnott's credentials, allowing his ear for dialogue to cut through ... The prose is as hard, stylish and memorable as our antihero himself. (Arena)

Arnott's satire is right on the money (Observer)

The popularity of Arnott's work rests on his fluent, readable style and strong storytelling. While challenging the hype surrounding the genre, he avoids hypocrisy by stopping just short of glamorising his subject matter. (New Statesman)

The plotting is well-handled, and the comings and goings of its three main characters are cleverly interwoven ... Yobbos are Arnott's forte, and Gaz's misadventures are told with ironic relish. (Charles Mitchell, Spectator)

A clever blurring of real-life bad lads and fictional hard-nuts ... David Bowie's a fan of Arnott's, by all acounts. Read truecrime and you will be able to see why. (Front)