From the rear cover:
Widow Deborah Coles is suffering a crisis of conscience about moving on with
her life. When her 15 year old son, Lewis, finds himself in trouble with the police,
she has little choice but to turn to her father-in-law for support.
Over the course of a weekend, career criminal, Francis Coles, proves an
unorthodox educator, as he reveals the heartbreaking love story which has
allowed their family to endure.
Reminiscing on his youth in 1950’s London, Francis’s tale is one of Teddy Boy
gang fights, rock n roll romance in the dance halls and daring heists, as he and
his two best friends descend into a vicious world of vendetta, revenge and
murder. Lewis listens and learns about the high price of survival, about how the
trio – whilst maturing towards the prospect of fatherhood – would have their
morality tested, and be forced to meet ever increasing stakes in order to protect
not only their endeavours but also their relationships.
Deborah and Lewis will each inherit the family secrets, revelations which could
reshape the way they look at love, loss and life.
"Jack comes from a background which so seldom leads to a career as a writer," says Northside House
Founder Chris Jackson. "Yet, when I saw what he’d attempted, a new Teddy Boy novel with depth, I
thought ‘wouldn’t that be something?’ and with each perfectly sculpted line of prose I grew more
excited to see that he’d nailed it. Barley Sugar is an outstanding debut."
-Chris Jackson, founder of Northside House