Product Description

Boy meets girl. Then boy meets gangsters.

Sam Smith is a troubled lad. He just can’t seem to settle down. Pining for his ex-girlfriend he takes dubious solace in the company of his two best mates, Connor and Donnie, who both share his inability to cope with the rigors of post-university adulthood.He’s the wrong side of twenty-five, teaches in a jungle of a High School and has recently acquired both a broken heart and a busted nose. And he’s also got a hangover. But this one’s not about too much beer. How he wishes that it were.

For last night, on the way home from their beloved pub, the three of them stumbled upon a gruesome mob of men harassing a terrified girl. A one-sided scuffle ensued and now his best mate lies in a hospital bed.

And, as if to compound their anguish, the three of them are about to become unwittingly embroiled in a world of gangsters and dodgy dealing, beginning a journey that will both plague and purge them over the coming weeks…

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #116147 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Living Now Magazine, November issue, 2005
Maher’s fast moving novel captures the reader’s attention right from the first page and maintains its pace throughout.

Synopsis
This particular Sunday seemed lovely. And I told myself that after a short bout of secondary sleep: I'll get up, throw on a friendly tracksuit and wander outside with Donnie and Connor. Together we'll cluster, shiver and giggle, like kids, not a care in the world, dawdling to the corner shop for Sunday supplies. All the necessary ingredients to help soften the dull thump of a hangover. But my mind soon clicks into gear and the horrific events of last night steal in. My eyes burst open and I spring out of bed, my head spinning with the realisation that this particular Sunday isn't lovely. It isn't lovely at all. Or at least it couldn't be lovely anymore. Sam Smith is a troubled lad. He just can't seem to settle down. Pining for his ex-girlfriend, he takes dubious solace in the company of his two best mates, Connor and Donnie, who both share his inability to cope with the rigours of post-university adulthood. He's the wrong side of twenty-five; teaches in a jungle of a High School and has recently acquired both a broken heart and a busted nose. He's also got a hangover. But this one's not about too much beer. How he wishes that it were. For last night, on the way home from their beloved pub, the three of them stumbled upon a gruesome mob of men harassing a terrified girl. A one-sided scuffle ensued and now his best mate lies in a hospital bed. And now, as if to compound their anguish, the three of them are about to become unwittingly embroiled in a world of gangsters and dodgy dealing, beginning a journey that will both plague and purge them over the coming weeks .

About the Author
Damon Maher was born in the UK in 1973. He studied English Literature at Brunel University in West London before emigrating to Australia in 2000. Damon lives with his wife and two sons. 'Scars' is his first novel.

Customer Reviews

Unputdownable!
This was a real treat. A good dose of lad-lit mixed in with some neat observation, wicked humour and more than a spoonful of tension, this is a must for anyone who loves a good blokish yarn. Not to say this won't appeal to the ladies either. There's a smattering of romance and and some rough, tough gangster stuff that'll keep everyone on their literary toes. I've heard a lot of hype about this guy over here in Oz. He's a former pommie boy now plying his trade down under. Good on him - my home town of Perth even gets a mention! Now we know all the hype's true. A potential classic.

'Scars'
Having just finished reading 'Scars' I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The storylines are very good...funny, sad,frightening and a nice few cliff-hangers thrown in for good measure! I have always loved punchy writing and the author, Damon Maher, knows how and when to use it. In my opinion this book deserves a 5-star rating and, as such, I very much recommend it.

Superstar Maher
‘Scars’ is a ripping Brit gangster yarn told by someone who has clearly studied his craft. It has just enough cultural references to appeal to anyone who has ever spent a Sunday morning dazed and confused in the local newsagent attempting to cure a hangover with crisps and coke.

Being a fan of Brit lad lit I’m always on the lookout for new titles within this genre but am often disappointed as 20 pages in it is filled with mockney slang, core blimey governors and unimaginative plot lines. Maher has broken the mould with his first novel - this is a real find.

Step a side Hornby, shut it Parsons - Maher is the new king of Brit lit!