by Graham Brown
First published 2012
Brovard and Knight prowl the neon-lit clubs of Soho in 1963 London. Both men graduated from elite schools into promising City careers, but the swinging sixties offer darker temptations. They deal drugs and run prostitutes through the amphetamine-driven Mod scene, where dancers stay awake for forty-eight hours straight and Italian scooters line the streets. Brovard obsesses over control and precision, drawing inspiration from occult practices. Knight serves as his loyal second-in-command. Both men embrace Nietzsche's philosophy and pursue their selfish ambitions without moral limits. Their methods range from careful manipulation to outright murder. As the Mod explosion reaches its peak, these two predators exploit a youth movement built on music, fashion, and chemical highs. The story captures the authentic details of the era: the sharp suits, the Vespa culture, the all-night clubs, and the mindset of a generation rejecting their parents' values. But beneath the stylish surface, Brovard and Knight represent the corruption that feeds on innocence and rebellion.
Genres: fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, mystery, crime, dark
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: corruption, enemies-to-lovers, moral-ambiguity
Setting: London, Soho
Period: 1963
778 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Content warnings: drug-use, graphic-violence, murder