Beast Of Burden

The biggest race riot in Manchester's history and a close relative's death have left Cal Innes a physical and emotional wreck. He's about to leave his newly established private detective agency to partner Frank Collier when the word comes through that his erstwhile nemesis Mo Tiernan has gone missing. Innes is the only one Mo's ganglord father trusts to investigate, but he's not the only one working the case – Detective Sergeant 'Donkey' Donkin has a vested interest in both the Tiernans and Innes, and he'd sacrifice his career to see them all behind bars. After all, he has a score to settle… And he's not the only one.Praise for Ray Banks"Memorable characterisation, Manchester at night and at its most sinister, lives flooding down the plughole – this is British noir in all its sordid splendour by a writer who has taken more than just an excursion to the dark side." – The Guardian"A pitch perfect novel" – Crime Fiction Lover"Brimming with pitch-black humour and written with a claustrophobic mania to rival the finest noir exponents, it's compelling and finely honed stuff." – The Big Issue"Dark, nasty, funny, and painfully human" – Spinetingler Magazine"A tight and pacy read, the prose stripped to the bone and the dialogue pitch-perfect. Fans of Colin Bateman and Elmore Leonard will find it hits their sweet spot. Cohen brother lovers; one for you too." – Loitering With Intent"A great story. It's tight as hell and it's so deliberate that it's a complete joy to read."– Dead End Follies"An intensive masterclass in how to write." – Helen FitzGerald «Banks writes in a clean style, looped with inky black humor, and the plot goes at a lightning pace, heaping dread upon dread.» – On The Book Beat"Ray Banks writes with harshness, humour and elegance, and his punchy dialogue teems with vigorous authenticity." – The Times"Banks is one of the freshest voices in hard-boiled crime fiction today." – Library Journal"Banks has an ear for the vernacular as sharp as, but a shade or two bluer than, that of George V. Higgins. Let the squeamish stick with Tony Soprano; this is the real tough stuff." – KirkusRay Banks is the author of nine novels, including Inside Straight, Angels of the North and Saturday's Child (Cal Innes #1).