Historic crime trilogy with real Black Country locations
BLACK Country author, Thomas J.R. Dearn has been busy continuing to recall the tales of William Mucklow and his gang in his series of books, Once Upon a Time in the Black Country.
Once Upon a Time in the Black Country 1934 is set between the wars. It tells of gang-leader, William Mucklow’s turbulent struggles against rival gangs in Birmingham and introduces the Lombardo family, including wife Isabella, fresh from their Mafia activities in Sicily. All the grisly details of blood-curdling murders of Birmingham gang leaders are covered in detail, as William Mucklow strives to save all he has worked for in his protection rackets. A gripping and nostalgic novel set in the 1930s in a book which you simply can’t put down.
Once Upon a Time in the Black Country 1951 is set immediately after the Second World War, with William’s son, Billy Mucklow, and Harry Scriven encountering more problems and battles with the “Birmingham Boys”. They also try to restrain fellow gangster, Eddie Fennel, from killing the younger sons of the Lombardo family who are interfering with his dodgy deals and transporting stolen fridges and cookers from Birmingham. The story links back to the Troubles in Ireland and contains more gory murders.
Costa del Criminal is set on the Spanish coast in the 1980s, where Billy Mucklow is now living. It tells the story of ex-convict, Micky Cole, who is having to battle with his demons and the past in order to regain the trust of his wife and young son. Once again, plenty of violence and bloodcurdling murders involving Russian drug-dealers and local prostitutes, makes this another book which simply can’t be put down.
All these books are set in real places in and around the Black Country, including local pubs such as the Haden Cross, Swan with Two Necks and Neptune in Old Hill. This brings the storylines to life and adds to the interest of the tales. But beware, there’s plenty of violence! All the books are available through Amazon and other outlets.