This is the 3rd book by World Snooker Champion and Superstar, Ronnie O’Sullivan in his Soho nights series. I’ll admit to skepticism on my part about a book by O’Sullivan, but the blurb , and of course the name drew me in enough to want to see what this was all about.

I’ve not read the first 2 books but it’s quickly established you dont have to, though I will definitely be doing so now.

Such an easy book to pick up and read, the language and the writing is without any pretence, just pick up, read and enjoy.

Set in 1997 Brit pop is going mad, Frankie James, a good guy trying to make his way on the Soho scene, runs the Ambassador club, and has plans to put on the Soho Open, a new snooker tournament.

Frankie is a good guy but he does have a habit of getting involved with the wrong sort. When a big time gangster, Terence Hamilton dies a long standing pact Frank had with that gangster is forgotten and the new man in charge, his son, Dougie decides to cash in the info he has on Frank, in exchange for a job he needs doing - a heist on an art gallery slap bang in central london - big problem is Frankie works for Dougie’s biggest rival Tommy Riley.

It’s literally mission impossible. Frankie joins up with a team of reprobates, there is a druggie, a geek and a giant mute henchman!

James Bond Bad guys, Art theft, blackmail, violence and a wicked love interest it has it all and is just a superb fun enjoyable read.

It’s a proper crime caper, it doesn’t take its self to seriously and it felt like watching Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, this definitely has film written all over it.

London is described well, the characters are likeable and it’s got lots of humour.

The language is genuine, London speak; its refreshing and the book is paced frantically , it absolutely smokes along and it’s perfect for this book.

I really did love this book, I’ve not had so much fun reading a book in a very long time.

I don’t easily give out 5 stars but for serious easy enjoyable reading, I just sat back and enjoyed the ride, I can’t give this any less

5 stars,

read this! it’s just cracking good! If it was a break in snooker then it’s a 5 minute Ronnie o’Sullivan 147!

The Break is the first book written by Ronnie O'Sullivan that I have read and I was disappointed by the book and storyline which was fairly run of the mill and not inspiring.

Unfortunately this is not a book I would recommend

The Break – Ronnie O’Sullivan

As my old mum used to say you learn something new everyday and my lesson one day was learning that not only is Ronnie O’Sullivan one of Snookers sporting legends but also he’s a published author. I also didn’t realise that this was the third in the series, although I did feel it could be read as a standalone, the author puts enough past information of the characters to allow me to keep up.

Let me belatedly introduce you to Frankie James of Soho, sober for nine months, his dad’s in prison, his brothers a liability and his mum’s away with the wind. He was trying to start a new life with the gym and the Soho Open snooker tournament when suddenly he goes from having one ‘boss’ Tommy Riley to two and another new ‘job’. Between his two masters he finds himself between a rock and a hard place one wants him to steal artwork worth millions and the other wants him to fix the tables.

There are plenty of references to the 1990s this specific book is based in 1997 with BritPop era, the death of Princess Diana is spoken about quite a bit the various reasons why being just a couple and let’s not forget the drugs of the moment ecstasy and whiz.

I will definitely recommend this book to friend that read this style of book but for me I’ve found the first of the series The Framed and just need to find the second Double Kiss to read all the bits I’ve missed.

Read for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Pan MacMillan Publisher

You've got to love Ronnie O'Sullivan, Ace snooker player, TV personality and now novelist. The Break is his 3rd novel featuring Frankie James and the Soho thrillers all set in the 90's they follow Frankie who is living in Soho and trying to live a good life and legitimate business, but he keeps being dragged into the dodgy dealings of rival gang lords one of which wants to steal artworks worth millions, if he gets it wrong, he has threatened to kill him or at least have him locked up for life. Either way Frankie can not win or can he?

I think these stories show a glimpse of Ronnie's childhood, being brought up in Soho and they make an entertaining read.

Ronnie has written 2 other books, this being the 3rd in the series of Soho nights.

Frankie James has worked hard and his ambitions are about to pay off as he is set to host the Soho Open snooker tournament, but he is in a predicament, he either gives in to blackmail from a face from the past, be killed or banged up.
His loyalty lies with gang lord Tommy Riley, He makes his choice and is taken into a world he has fought so hard to leave behind of crime, drugs, and depravity.

I loved this book, it's references to the '90s, oasis and Princess Diana's death makes it all so believable.
There were some great gritty characters and the seedier part of Soho came through strongly.
I'm glad also it was based around snooker, with little snippets here and there to tempt the sports fans among us.
A great read.
Thank you NetGalley xx

This is the third in the Soho Nights series by this author and, as such, usual series rules apply, although I will warn you that book one is much more sweary than it needs to be, something that the author took note from reviews and rectified in book two and indeed this one. Yes there's still a fair amount of bad language in the latter two books but it is much better balanced.
So, Frankie is in a bit of a pickle... again... and in this book is very much caught between two warring factions as he strives for a better living away from the booze and drugs and just concentrating on the snooker hall and is about to host the Soho Open tournament he has been working hard towards. His loyalty, and livelihood, is to Tommy Riley but a face from his past threatens all of this (if you've read the previous books, you'll probably guess who) and he is forced to act outside sense and commit a crime. With no option other to comply, Frankie is drawn into another murky world once again. But he's a James boy and, well, he's been through worse and come out the other side. He's definitely going to need all his smarts about him if he's going to come out of this with his life.
What I love from this author the most, apart from the gritty characters and well plotted stories, is how he weaves in the spirit of the time he is setting his books into said storylines. In this book, we are in 97 and the age of BritPop - Oasis vs Blur and all that. We also have the death of Diana which features quite prominently too. Being the right age for remembering this stuff, as well as being a cracking read, these books also gift me a right proper trip down memory lane which I thoroughly enjoy.
I'll say no more about the plot apart from how well constructed I found it to be. Several times along the way I was actually feeling quite scared for certain characters as I had no idea how they were every going to get out of the mess they found themselves in. Luckily, mostly, the author did and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief, mostly anyway! As with previous books, the author pulls no punches in describing some of the darker side of Soho. I'm not in the least bit squeamish but even I shuddered with some of what I read. This is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
To keep the balance, there are also lighter moments to be found within the pages of this book. And some really rather brilliant "extras" who all play their parts well.
All in all, a cracking addition to and already brilliant series. Really can't wait to see what the author puts Frankie through next time. If you have any prejudice against "celebrity" authors, please do think about putting them aside for this one. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.