William's life changes when he meets the beautiful Clara Morton and falls in love. Little does he know she is the wife of a client - a leading fascist with a dangerous obsession. Soon, what should have been another straightforward job turns into something far more deadly. When I think about Uk in the 30s I think about Miss Marple or Peter Wimsey, the Golden Age puzzles classic whodunit. This book takes us to those worlds - to clandestine Queer bars, to haunts of artists and sex workers, to the tenements of the poor and to the locations of seamy photoshoots, where powerful men pay to watch the models pose, to closed factories and far-right politics, to the struggles of desperate people to stay one step away from destitution. A perfect noir setting, Marlow's Birmingham is a city whose residents are still struggling with the legacy of war - William clearly suffering form what now we'd call PSTD - and, as I said, struggling to get by, but one where every new opportunity (and every willing victim) is being exploited. However, William's life changes when he accidentally meets the beautiful Clara Morton and falls in love. Little does he know she is the wife of a client - a leading fascist with a dangerous obsession. And what should have been another straightforward job turns into something far more deadly. For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the “Settings & Account” section. If you’d like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial.

Needless Alley: The critically acclaimed noir crime debut Needless Alley: The critically acclaimed noir crime debut

You may also opt to downgrade to Standard Digital, a robust journalistic offering that fulfils many user’s needs. Compare Standard and Premium Digital here. This is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on our programme – and one of the most coveted spots for authors. Val McDermid‘s choice of the year’s best debuts has provided a platform for some outstanding talents, and the class of ’23 is no exception. Needless Alley not only evokes 1930s Birmingham in all its dark glory - it introduces characters that are impossible to forget. Read it." - Alan ParksMarlow’s very engaging protagonist may herald the birth of a new genre: Midlands Noir’ Financial Times Photographs and film play a large part in narrative and are ultimately responsible for throwing light an all the mysteries.

Needless Alley by Natalie Marlow | Goodreads

The references to various places in the Midlands were close to home for me and I found it interesting to think of the towns and cities mentioned in the 1930’s. Alongside this, the history that’s woven through is fascinating, knowing almost nothing about the politics of the time. I definitely felt as though I was at the rallies and surrounded by the far right opinions focused on within the novel.

A powerful, gritty and extremely well written story. I began expecting a detective story - William Garrett is a man damaged by the First World War, who sets himself up as a private eye, working with his avant garde friend Ronnie. Billy specialises in setting up entrapments for straying wives - Ronnie takes them to a hotel room, and Billy bursts in to get photographic evidence. This was Savile Row smut, nicely tailored and nothing vulgar. Smut for gentlemen rather than players. Smut for the officer class, no doubt of that...'