A blistering take on Cool Britannia and London's underbelly in the 1990s, the third novel in Jake Arnott's loose trilogy following The Long Firm and He Kills Coppers.

It's 1995, and crime is the new cool. Actress Julie wants none of it as she comes to terms with her hidden criminal roots. But her public-school boyfriend is going all mockney and writing the script of his 'classic British gangster movie'. Meanwhile, 'Geezer' Gaz, wannabe villain, is losing control as he preys on the Essex rave scene. And sixties gang boss Harry Starks is back to haunt them all . . .

New lads meet old lags, celebrity villains mix with media types and Cool Britannia is stripped bare in wickedly sardonic fashion. Welcome to Cruel Britannia.

New decade. New rules for survival. Jake Arnott's blistering look at the underbelly of life in the 90s is a sure-fire bestseller.

About the Author
Born in 1961, Jake Arnott lives in London. His first novel, The Long Firm, was a major critical and popular success. It was subsequently made into a BBC TV series, which was nominated for two BAFTA awards. His second novel, He Kills Coppers, was also made into a series by Channel 4. He has since published the novels truecrime, Johnny Come Home, The Devil's Paintbrush, The House of Rumour and, most recently, The Fatal Tree.

Reviews
A rollercoaster journey through a landscape most honest, decent people wouldn't know existed . . . sparklingly witty, immensely profound . . . 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 *
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 *
Arnott delivers a beacon-bright satire . . . a literary triumph * Metro *
Arnott's satire is right on the money * Observer *
'Arnott's clever, style-conscious book is brutally authentic, yet at the same time ironically "knowing", with an almost satirical attitude to gangster entertainment and the cult of criminal celebrity. Its total readability consolidates his status as a blue-chip crime writer'. * Sunday Times *
Arnott has a sharp sense of humour and a real concern for the consequences of crime on his characters and society. * Daily Telegraph *
Arnott is both witty and gritty. * Daily Telegraph *



Book Information
ISBN 9780340818572
Author Jake Arnott
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Sceptre
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 242g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 131mm * 23mm