Product Description

A new edition of a book formerly known as "So This is Ecstacy?", this is the true story of the rise of one of the most violent and successful criminal gangs of the 90s. The author of the book was a key member of that gang, and this is his inside account of their violent ways. Their reign ended when the three leaders were murdered.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32013 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
"Violence is a messy business". Bernard O'Mahoney's words don't do justice to the casual brutality that litters his side of the Rettendon murders story. And justice, as opposed to man-made law, is his pre-occupation throughout. Standing toe-to-toe with Tony Thompson's account, Bloggs 19, what drives O'Mahoney's uneasy narrative is the belief that the two men jailed for the murder of three Firm members are innocent. One would be tempted to say that hoodlums assassinating hoodlums is itself a form of natural justice, and that Mick Steele and Jack Whomes were hardly angels, but that panders to the vengeful amorality endemic in that world. O'Mahoney was head doorman at Raquels nightclub in Basildon, where the ecstasy tablet was procured which killed Leah Betts. The dead girl's father holds O'Mahoney primarily responsible for her death, as he was aware of the drug dealing in the club. The first edition of this book, called "So This Is Ecstasy?", was initially withdrawn after Paul Betts objected to the use of the now-famous image of Leah on a life-support machine. Leah is one of the "victims" to whom the book is dedicated, while O'Mahoney's coldly staring eyes now fix you from the cover.

From Brooklyn to Basildon, tales of aggression, loyalty, squabbles and double-dealing swagger fascinate "straight people", many of whom derive a voyeuristic, vicarious thrill. O'Mahoney's flat flow of anecdotes, in which much is left unsaid, builds towards Leah's death, and his own exit from Firm life, with a grim, despairing predictability, but it becomes increasingly difficult to separate the man from the self-glamorising existence of debt-collectors, doormen and gangsters, and the culture of blame and punishment it promotes. In one telling incident, David Arnell, the quietest of doormen, suddenly snaps and badly beats up a customer, illustrating how the atmosphere of violence proves the strongest narcotic of all. O'Mahoney is also the author of Soldier of the Queen, a superior account, detailing his time serving in Northern Ireland, and which fills in much of the personal detail lacking here. Without that, this book-of-the-film-of-the-book, despite its lurid fascination, ultimately punches below its weight. --David Vincent

Customer Reviews

Essex Boys has ring of authnenticity.
During the early 90's I spent two wild and exciting years working on the doors in Blackpool's club-land. O'Mahoney's book captures perfectly the mood and culture of the time. The only difference in the characters of 'Essex Boys'and any 'Boys'from any other major club-scene are the names and faces, everything else is the same - the same drugs, same personalities, same muscles, and yes, the same Range Rovers (or maybe a Shogun). The book proved completely fascinating to me as I felt that I could almost substitute the people whom I used to know with the main players in this story. O'Mahoney has produced a book written with honesty and integrity (often showing himself in a unsavoury light) that I feel will stand the test of time as a major insight into criminal gangs in the 90's, and the dark side of club culture. He manages to capture the often-curious mix of warmth, humour, and vulnerability present in club land faces, combined with their negative traits of greed, arrogance, and cold hardness. You can really tell that he has been there. For a contrast I recommend that you read 'Bloggs 19' by Tony Thompson. I must admit that I found this work seemed to be a little self-serving, and that the main protagonist appears most concerned to be seen in a good light-unlike O'Mahoney. I feel that the truth of what really happened to Tucker, Tate, and Rolfe lies somewhere in-between the two books, but if you had to plump for one of the two I would go for O'Mahoneys version.

Gripping tale of real life gangsters
Bernard explains his involvment with may of the UK's gangsters who had a strangle hold on the rave scene. A well written book that you will not be able to put down. It is interesting to read this after Dave Courtneys 'Stop the Ride' as there are a few conflicting stories.

Eye Opener
I originally bought this book about 5 years ago. Since that time, I have re-read it many times and can honestly say that this is a very interesting book.

This book is succesful in showing the reader that the underworld is not all money and glamour. This book highlights the true state of the murky underworld that is involved in narcotics and the devestating effect that it can have.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in True Crime.