Crime and Thrillers
A controversial journalist, his estranged daughter in a crime syndicate, and a reformed thug with a dark past collide in Edinburgh’s underworld. As they navigate family secrets, redemption, and betrayal, their hidden truths threaten to destroy them. A darkly comic crime thriller blending journalism, ageing, addiction, and organised crime.
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Fifty-something newspaper columnist, Frank Savage, pens a controversial piece calling for dogs and babies to be banned from cafés as his swansong to journalism. Instead of being dismissed, the column catapults him to stardom — and into further trouble.
On a night out, Frank spots his arch-enemy, Brewster, 56 — an apparently reformed racist, homophobic football hooligan turned drug dealer, now a respected figure in the local community — whom he blames for his brother’s death.
This coincides with the arrival of his eldest daughter, Naomi, whom Frank hasn’t seen for years. A genius with numbers, she works for an organised crime syndicate in London, headed by the Wise One, but is desperate to break free and go straight. The Syndicate places Naomi in the seaside town of Portobello, Edinburgh, to work alongside Brewster, overseeing their money laundering operation.
As Naomi and Frank grow closer and begin to heal old wounds, neither realises they are both hiding secrets that would devastate the other.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
To Be Frank is a sharp, darkly comic crime thriller set in Portobello, Edinburgh, that blends satire, family drama, and the gritty realities of organised crime. Frank Savage, a fifty-something journalist, thinks his career is over when he pens a controversial column about banning dogs and babies from cafés. Instead, the piece propels him into unexpected notoriety and back into a world of old grudges and new dangers. A chance encounter with his lifelong enemy Brewster—once a racist football hooligan, now a supposedly reformed community figure—forces Frank to confront past trauma tied to his brother’s death. At the same time, Frank’s estranged daughter Naomi reappears. Brilliant with numbers but trapped in a London crime syndicate, she is sent to Edinburgh to launder money under Brewster’s supervision. As father and daughter attempt to rebuild their fractured bond, they both hide devastating secrets that threaten to unravel everything. Kevan Christie’s writing captures the seaside Edinburgh setting with authenticity and flair, balancing humor and grit. Frank is a wonderfully sardonic, flawed protagonist whose dry wit makes him instantly engaging, while Naomi’s struggle to break free from the criminal world adds emotional depth. Themes of redemption, family, secrecy, and betrayal are woven seamlessly into a fast-paced, character-driven story. With its mix of dark humor, local color, and suspense, To Be Frank will appeal to readers who enjoy crime fiction with heart, especially fans of Mark Billingham or Mick Herron. A fresh, entertaining, and memorable read. Highly recommended.
This was a fantastic concept and enjoyed getting into this overall journey, the overall feel was what I was expecting and enjoyed the way this was used in the genre. I was engaged from start to finish and enjoyed the suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for and glad it had that feel. The characters were so well written and enjoyed the overall journey with them. Kevan Christie has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.
this was such a clever and smart book. i got so involved and was immediately intrigued about the characters we find and how we might see them arc, overlap or weave within and around each other. and Kevan did it so well. id say this is a dark thriller but its got the dry almost comedic moments too it too with plenty of family dynamic and drama alongside it. it had it all for me. Frank is thinking his career as a journalist is over. that is until he writes a controversial column that propels him right back up there into the talk about read about views. and not always in the best way. infact this could bring him right into the path of danger and dangerous people. one such person he has a chance encounter with is his forever enemy Brewster. this football thug, racist is now supposedly a reformed figure in the community. but this meeting means Franks has to look into the past, and the trauma related to his brothers death. then there is his daughter Naomi who is somehow back in his life. she is brilliantly clever but has somehow gotten mixed up in a London crime syndicate. within this she is sent to work under Brewster to launder money. so as the two work together to build their relationship. what they don't know is what each is hiding from each other outside of who they are together. and both their secrets could ruin everything. i loved getting to read about Frank. i was drawn to him straight away. i found him so intriguing and a bit of me in a character for this type of book. i was endeared to him, smiled at his ways and also kind of felt for this flawed human. i also felt for Naomi. being trapped in that situation and thinking you have no way out? but needing and wanting a way out? terrifying. there was way more emotional moments for me in this book and deeper moments too that took me by surprise with how much they effected me. i enjoyed this book so much and couldn't put it down. actually, i didn't want to put it down. this book is a bit dark, a bit funny, a bit lovable. there is grit and suspense a plenty. Frank somehow had my heart throughout and im not sure whether this is a good thing lol. Kevan has written an amazing book here for me. and i just swept through it wanting to read more and more and felt sad when it ended.
First things first: I was genuinely taken to Edinburgh reading this. This book was a real treat, controversial sure, hilarious absolutely, and so well written. The words feel like art and there isn’t a page you want to stop at. A true joy and I cannot wait for more.
Hard to believe this is Kevan’s first book. What a great read/story. Take a bow Kevan.
