'What's the best thing about Hackney? The bus outta here!' And that's exactly where Elijah 'Schoolboy' Campbell needs to be in a week's time, heading out of London's underworld. He's taking a great offer to leave it all behind and start a new life, but the problem is he's got no spare cash. The possibility of lining his pockets becomes real when he stumbles across a mobile phone. But it's marked property, and the Street won't care that he found it by accident. The Street won't care that the phone's his last chance to change his life. And he can't give it back because the door to redemption is only open for 7 days. 7 days to exchange the mobile for cash. 7 days to cut the mobile's line rental to the Faces tracking his every move. 7 days to get out of a world where bling, ringtones and petty deaths are accessories of life. Schoolboy knows that when you're running hot all it takes is one call, one voicemail, one text to disconnect you from this life - permanently. And getting deeper into his old lifestyle may mean that he never catches that bus ...Dreda Say Mitchell perfectly captures the tough and brittle mood of inner London in this stark, moving and funny account of a largely hidden world. A highly original new novel and a striking debut from a writer of verve and distinction.
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'Lock, stock and a twenty-year-old mobile phone,at last I know my way round the North London gun belt!' -- Nigel Planer, actor, writer & comedian
'Swaggeringly cool and incredibly funny . . . maintains a cracking pace through clever plotting with a brilliant ear for snappy, street-smart dialogue' -- Gregor White, Stirling Observer, 14 Jan 2005
A cacophany of voices across the classes. Pacy, vivid, and at times extremely funny. -- Christina Patterson, Independent, 31 August 2007
A likeable social-protest-cum-crime-caper story . . . An impressive first book with a strong sense of place and community. -- Christopher Taylor, Sunday Telegraph, December 19, 2004
An exciting new voice in urban fiction . . . her prose has an individual, slangily poetic zip. . . .It certainly has fictional authenticity -- Nicholas Clee, The Guardian, 19 April 2005
Intriguing, touching and colourful . . .Dreda Say Mitchell is a writer to watch -- Natasha Cooper, TLS, 25 February 2005
Prestigious Crime Writers' Association prize for debut crime fiction -- Shortlisted, John Creasey Memorial Award 2005
‘Lock, stock and a twenty-year-old mobile phone, at last I know my way round the North London gun belt!’ -- Nigel Planer, star of 'The Young Ones'
'Swaggeringly cool and incredibly funny . . . maintains a cracking pace through clever plotting with a brilliant ear for snappy, street-smart dialogue' -- Gregor White, Stirling Observer, 14 Jan 2005
A cacophany of voices across the classes. Pacy, vivid, and at times extremely funny. -- Christina Patterson, Independent, 31 August 2007
A likeable social-protest-cum-crime-caper story . . . An impressive first book with a strong sense of place and community. -- Christopher Taylor, Sunday Telegraph, December 19, 2004
An exciting new voice in urban fiction . . . her prose has an individual, slangily poetic zip. . . .It certainly has fictional authenticity -- Nicholas Clee, The Guardian, 19 April 2005
Intriguing, touching and colourful . . .Dreda Say Mitchell is a writer to watch -- Natasha Cooper, TLS, 25 February 2005
Prestigious Crime Writers' Association prize for debut crime fiction -- Shortlisted, John Creasey Memorial Award 2005
‘Lock, stock and a twenty-year-old mobile phone, at last I know my way round the North London gun belt!’ -- Nigel Planer, star of 'The Young Ones'
From the Publisher
Dreda Say Mitchell perfectly captures the tough and brittle atmosphere of contemporary inner London, and brings otherwise marginalised voices to the centre stage. Schoolboy is a remarkable and unforgettable character. This highly original new novel is a striking debut from a writer of verve and distinction.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By dannynet
Format:Paperback
This book surprised me: it's a real page turner. Ultimately it's uplifting but you go through the highs and lows with Schoolboy, the main protagonist. As I read this book I desperately wanted to know what would happen to Schoolboy - the author has developed a character for whom you can't help but have a real empathy. The book is well paced, pushing the story forward the whole time in the midst of believable relationships between believable characters. Dreda Say Mitchell manages to convey a sense of the danger of living in gangland London whilst convincing us of the love and respect that nurtures the characters in this tough environment...and she uses language in an engaging and exciting way. I'd definitely recommend this book.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A tough yet tender account of Schoolboy's search for a new life away from the grim reality of inner urban existence. The author makes us want him to succeed in spite of temptations and vanities which threaten his deliverance. A gripping read which is full of Hackney street humour and pathos-served up with mum's words of wisdom and Caribbean curry which inspire the search. A book for all who should know about this underworld, and for anybody who wants an unusual, taut and thoroughly modern read. Don't keep us waiting too long for the next book!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By M. Long
Format:Paperback
I received Running Hot fresh off the press. I thought I would just take five minutes to flick through the first few pages, but found myself completely unable to put it down. Dreda Say Mitchell draws compelling characters in a situation which becomes ever more gripping as the story unfolds. Her writing is spare and sharp and she conveys the harsh reality of the world that Schoolboy inhabits while still retaining humour and warmth. She took me into an unfamiliar world and made me believe everything she said. I was amazed to find out that such an accomplished piece of work was this author's first novel, and I am certainly looking forward to her next.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see the review
4.0 out of 5 stars
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Running Hot, the Book
This was bought as a gift. The report, from the receiver, is that is was very good and well worth reading.
Published 13 months ago by Henry
2.0 out of 5 stars
running hot
I found this book alright to start with, then got halfway and thought it was hard work. But i had to find out if he made to Devon in the end. Read more
Published 22 months ago by S. Jacques
1.0 out of 5 stars
not my favourite
I bought 3 books together by this author the first one had me eager to read the next, sad to say i didnt finish the second one and haven't even opened this one
Published 22 months ago by J. A. Otterwell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great read, albeit very different to her newer stuff!
I only recently discovered Dreda Say Mitchell and was blown away with her two latest books Geezer Girls and Gangster Girls. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2011 by Best Books To Read
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book Review
This book is extremely well written by an author who knows her area and the lives of the people she writes about. Very strong story lines and very much in the ilk of Martina Cole. Read more
Published on 6 April 2010 by Mrs. J. Barrell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Running (RED) Hot
A totally riveting read from start to finish. A gritty,witty, exciting portrayal of urban street life. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2004 by L. Howell
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
