Bang Bang You’re Dead by Evan Baldock
WHEN IT COMES TO VENGEANCE, AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
Gloria Jones has had enough. She’s sixty-five, approaching retirement, and nearing the end of her tether. If she gets abused in the street by another toerag, someone’s going to swing.
When Gloria collects a gun she saw being thrown into her local park, her decision to turn it in is quickly scuppered after she’s attacked on her way to the police station. Using the gun to make her attackers back off, she accidentally pulls the trigger, and ends up killing them both. In that moment, her life changes forever.
As she struggles to come to terms with what she’s done, Gloria begins to realise there is injustice all around and finds herself transforming from a shy, peaceful woman into a confident and ruthless vigilante, determined to help victims of crime unable to defend themselves. And so begins a three-month campaign, taking revenge against violent criminals up and down the country, helping those who can’t help themselves.
After all, who’s going to question a little old lady just going about her business? Turns out, quite a few people, on both sides of the law, and one in particular seems to know exactly what she’s been up to.
About the author:
Evan was born in Pembury, Kent in 1956 and attended grammar school in Tunbridge Wells.
He left the Metropolitan Police after 30 years service in 2011, serving as one of the countries first Football Intelligence Officers until 1996, then transferring to West End Central, where for 15 years he worked in Soho.
For several years Evan helped run the Soho Unit, specialising in combating drug dealing in the West End. During his career he frequently ran test purchase and buy-bust operations against drug dealers, resulting in the seizure of large amounts of drugs, and the successful prosecution of over 200 dealers, many of whom received lengthy prison sentences.
After retiring from the Metropolitan police, Evan opened 'Sweet Expectations' in Rochester, Kent, the UK's first vegetarian sweet shop.
In 2016 he sold the shop business and retired, before taking up writing in January 2019.
Review
First off this is an awesome book! The premise is so unusual - who has a killer granny for gods sake in their books? It was just nutty. I love this book - it started with a bang and kept delivering the hits right until the final pages. I think I could see another book coming out with Gloria at the helm. Well I am hoping this is the case as I want to know more of her story. The best books always leave you wanting more. Please Evan do another with these characters.
I can’t imagine how people survive on estates all over the country where they have to live in fear from drugs and crime. It must be terrifying and it is very easy to believe how someone could snap and just not put up with it anymore. However, this is where the but comes in. As a committed pacifist I just can’t condone the actions - don’t know how this is weighed up with me being a crime buff but hey lets go with it. I have to believe in the justice system however flawed and underfunded that may be. But as a book and entertainment value this novel is the bee knees. It’s just so darn real and funny. Gloria is like all your aunts and grannies rolled into one. You just can’t help but like her even when she is killing people!
The narrative in this book is slightly different from the norm as you know who the killer is, you like the killer and you don’t really want the police to catch up with our Glo! The mystery in this book is who knows about Gloria and her actions as there are definitely people out there who do and make that clear to her. Well with their identities hidden, hence the mystery. I actually really liked this part of the story as I can imagine that this would happen and does happen to people. But what will happen if there are consequences for her actions? Can’t really say too much more or spoilers will occur and we can’t have that!
I really enjoyed this book and it should be on your radar! It’s a 4.5⭐️ review from me!
