Brutal thriller set in Newcastle-upon-Tyne

6th April 2020

The Man on the Street by Trevor Wood, brutal thriller set in Newcastle.

The Man on the Street is Trevor Wood’s’ debut thriller – and it is a cracker. I am, I confess, a tad biased. The book is very firmly set in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of the UK, on whose outskirts I have lived for over 30 years. The descriptions of the people and places of Newcastle ring very true.

But, location apart, The Man On the Street is a really good tense thriller. Jimmy, a homeless ex Forces veteran with PTSD, is sleeping rough on the Quayside in Newcastle. He half awakens to witness an argument between two men and an ominous splash as one of them disappears into the Tyne. The other runs off… Jimmy remains unseen. He can find no-one struggling in the water and decides not to involve the police. He has history with them and fears any crime will be pinned on him in an effort to secure a quick result.

A few days later he sees a message from a lady called Carrie whose father has completely vanished without trace – entirely out of character. She reminds him of his own daughter and he contacts her to explain what he fears he may have witnessed. Together, and with on-off help from a local police detective and local journalist whom they involve, they investigate.

Carrie’s father was an environmentalist who had fallen out with a fair number of powerful people. He suspected corruption in high places in the awarding of construction contracts. Had this been the cause of his death?

Jimmy and Carrie investigate this murky world until they believe they have the answer. The conclusion is then dramatic and bloody.

The Man on the Street is a very good debut thriller in its own right. Ahead of publication it has already achieved a good level of critical success. But is is also a great commentary on the lives of rough sleepers in a big city. The trials, tribulations, and dangers they face are abundant. Many are mentally as well as physically challenged – but there is a very real sense of camaraderie amongst them.

The Man on the Street is very definitely recommended. Trevor Wood is an author to watch out for in the future.

Tony for the TripFiction team

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