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The Big Whatever

By Peter Doyle
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3.73 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Big Whatever by Peter Doyle is set in 1960s Sydney and follows the protagonist, Billy Glasheen, a small-time hustler with a knack for getting involved in intriguing situations. As he navigates through the city's gritty underworld, he encounters a variety of colourful characters, each with their own secrets and motivations, which leads Billy into a complex web of crime and mystery. This engaging tale captures the essence of a bygone era while keeping the reader on edge with its unpredictable twists.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this gripping crime and thriller novel if you're intrigued by gritty narratives set against the backdrop of a vividly portrayed 1970s Sydney. With a touch of noir, it offers a compelling mix of suspense and dark humour, following vivid characters through a world of crime and intrigue.

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The Big Whatever

When it comes to sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, Billy's always been in the vanguard, but as the swinging 60s turn into the 70s, he's living a quiet life.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

As the swinging '60s turn into the '70s, Billy Glasheen is stuck in the slow lane. He's deep in debt to the mob, driving a taxi, running low-level rackets.

One day, he finds a trashy novel in his cab - and he's the main character! Only Max could've written it, his double-crossing ex-partner in crime. Except Max went up in flames after a bank job, along with the cash.

If Max is alive, Billy has a score to settle. If he didn't get burned up, maybe the money didn't either. Billy follows the clues and discovers he's not the only one on the trail.

The Big Whatever by Peter Doyle takes you on a thrilling ride through ambition, betrayal, and a quest for lost treasure. It's a gripping tale filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Big Whatever has been praised as both a caper novel and a reflection on the 1960s, highlighting how certain unsavoury characters undermined the era's peace and love. It offers a nostalgic appeal reminiscent of classic works and contains well-integrated pop culture references. The humour is noted for being sharply witty and distinctly Australian, even amidst American cultural influences.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781891241444

Publisher: Verse Chorus Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 September 2015

Country: United States

Imprint: Verse Chorus Press

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Luc Sante

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 205.0mm

Weight: 352g

Pages: 320

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Peter Doyle

About the Author

Peter Doyle is the author of the crime fiction series featuring Billy Glasheen, which brilliantly explore the criminal underworld, political corruption, and the postwar explosion of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll in Australia. The series, which includes Get Rich Quick and The Devil's Jump, has won him three Ned Kelly Awards, including one for lifetime achievement. Doyle's other books include the highly acclaimed City of Shadows: Sydney Police Photographs 1912-48 and its successor, Crooks Like Us.

Luc Sante's books include Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York, Evidence, and Kill All Your Darlings. His lucid, authoritative introductions have graced the works of such seminal authors of crime fiction as Georges Simenon, Richard Stark, and Charles Willeford. Sante is a frequent contributor to The New York Review of Books and teaches at Bard College.

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