Sharp and Short: Six Stories Featuring Detective Inspector Harry Hawkins (London Large) by Roy Robson

Sharp and Short: Six Stories Featuring Detective Inspector Harry Hawkins (London Large) Reviews

• 
  KC Marie Pandell

  This read was fantastic! I loved being able to get some background on Harry, as well as seeing what he’s up to outside of the series as it stands. Fantastic characterization, as usual, but the editing leaves a bit to be desired (Poppy Stackbridge is called “Sedgwick” on multiple occasions, and there’s basic punctuation that needs some work). If you can get passed those things, and you should be able to, you’ve got a great read on your hands. The Robson brothers have done it again.
• 
  Coco.V

  🎁FREE on Amazon today (9/29/2020)! 🎁
• 
  Texas

  London Large, Blood on the Streets #1 - A well written, action filled, suspense novel set in present day London. The multiple battles of old school vs. new police, Russian and Albanian mafias, and the elites of government. The pace is fast and the reader is intrigued by what is on the pages. I couldn't put the book down. I contacted the authors to review their books after reading Tipping Point, the intro of the old school raising of several of the major characters. Tipping Point should be read first, if possible. 5*
  
  London Large, Bound by Blood #2 - A well written, action filled, suspense novel set, in present day London, that picks up from Blood on the Streets a few months later with the same characters plus. The prime focus is still the continuing battle against the Albanian mafia. I couldn't put this book down any more than I did the first book. I contacted the authors to review their books after reading Tipping Point, the intro the old school raising of several of the major characters. Tipping Point should be read first, if possible. 5*
  
  London Large, Bloody Liberties #3- Blood and thunder, to borrow a British phrase. A well written, action packed, suspense filled novel that grabs the reader by the throat and doesn't let go until the end. Then you think about what you've read. I couldn't put the book down; I was immersed in the horror that is so possible today. Good old fashion soldiering, new technology and human perseverance; the combination making a great read. The twisting plot was well thought out and believable; the dialog realistic; and the technology spot on. If you haven't read the prequel and the first two books, you need to do so. Liberties can be read without them, but they enhance the story and you understand the viewpoints of the characters better. 5*
  
  London Large, American Lockdown #4 - Absolutely the best of this good series. Fast paced; action packed; suspense filled; evil and deadly. It's even harder to put this book down, the others were difficult to stop reading, but this one makes the others look like child's play. Every character is well developed and we have the gang from previous books. The plot is a roller coaster ride of horror, hate, revenge, anger and love. Full of emotions: simmering to full blown; you name it, it's covered. How much can H take? I wonder what the next book will be since it will be difficult to top this one, but I'm sure the Robson Brothers can handle it. This is a 10 star book! 5*
  
  London Large, Tipping Point, Prequel- Must read Tipping Point first before LL Blood on the Streets. The introduction of the old school raising of several of the major characters of the London Large series. This intro clarify any confusion the reader may experience in LL, Blood on the Streets. 5*
  
  Sharp and Short: A collection of shorts about Harry 'H' Hawkins, which should be read, in the sequential order of time, before and during the London Large series, especially Tipping Point. Tipping Point will explain a lot about the type of man he is and how he became Harry of the London Large series. Also, there's some information in this book that is mentioned in the first book and causes confusion for the reader that hadn't read TP. The other books have background about how H develops his feelings, good and bad, of the people, good and bad, in his life and work. Also, his mates are featured. Good background stories. 5*
  Home Front - November, 2003. Age 45. Harry's reaction to a string of violated, murdered young girls and health scare and his marriage.
  Counter Punch - October, 1984; February, 1985. While still in the army, H handles an extended family problem against a crime lord, with an American GI by H's side.
  On Tour - 1978. Nineteen year-old H, Shy Nervous John and Ronnie as part of the Anglers Athletic under-21s on tour in Amsterdam and Hamburg. Their first time out of England.
  That's Life - November, 1995. Little Ronnie is born and H lives his code about his friends, his "own".
  Unsafe Space - November 2017. As a private investigator, a case leads him to a university where the students are brainwashed by their professor into destruction and hatred.
  Tipping Point - January, 1974. Prequel - Must read Tipping Point first before LL Blood on the Streets. The introduction of the old school raising of several of the major characters of the London Large series. This intro clarify any confusion the reader may experience in LL, Blood on the Streets.
  Sharp and Short: End
• 
  Pete

  Harry Hawkins was an old-style London copper, but now he's a private investigator, he has lots of excellent qualities, but also lots of flaws (a penchant for violence and a seemingly endless capacity for alcohol). This book consists of 6 short stories dating from his school days up to the present day, and they give some insights in to his character. I liked the book, but thought that a couple of the stories were a little disappointing in that they didn't really have a decent ending, and also I would have preferred the stories to be in chronological order so that H's development is more obvious.
  However, one thing that I have always liked about the London Large series is the quality of the prose and the realism this creates in the situations that Harry finds himself in, the various periods the stories are set in were also described in a very evocative manner.
  Normally I would say that a set of short stories like these would form a great introduction to a character/series, but in this case I think that at least a couple of the full length books needs to be read first, to appreciate this background.
  I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author, but I have written this honest review based solely on my own opinions.
• 
  Daniel Kelly

  If you've read the first couple of London Large books, this collection of short stories will fill in a lot of the back story of 'H' from various points in his life. The date is stated at the start of each story, but it always confused me a bit as I didn't know his age at that time, and couldn't always remember the date from the previous story. But once you get into the story you'll be able to figure out roughly where each one falls.
  
  Some of it made me a little uncomfortable as it reminded me of the rougher side of London that I tried to avoid when younger, but they were mostly handled more tastefully than the first three books in the series.
  
  In a nutshell, if you've already read some of the books and enjoyed them, you'll enjoy this too. If you haven't, this might be a bit weird to read out of context but I think you could still enjoy it anyway.
• 
  Lisa-Jaine

  Having read two of the London Large books and being halfway through the third, I relished the idea of getting to know the charismatic H better. We get a three dimensional character through these stories; I particularly loved the boys on their Football Tour. We find out how Harry met his first wife Julie, what made him want to join the Army and how he interacts with his friends. A must for anyone who loves these books.
• 
  Eirlys

  Wonderful stories
  
  I loved these stories about Harry's earlier life. It answered lots of questions about how H became the man that he is and how his character was formed. The stories were exciting and entertaining. I'm waiting impatiently for the next book to be published and I would love to see a television series based on these books.
• 
  Rosemary Hughes

  After reading "London Large" books, these short but informative stories, fill in some of the history of the main character, H, of this series. These stories explain why H was the man he was, and why he had the moral fibre he had.
  Yes, I recommend reading the "London Large" series before reading these shorts, though.
• 
  Eric

  Great stories from various times in the life of Detective Inspector Harry Hawkins from his youth up to the present time. Well worth a read and gives you a flavour of the 3 novels to date featuring Harry. I have enjoyed this series and look forward to many more in the coming years.
• 
  Tina

  Having read preview H books it was great getting a lot of background information on the main man. Great stack of short stories.
• 
  Mystee Pulcine

  What wonderful background on lots of the characters. I would recommend reading at least the first 3 full-length books before beginning this journey, but what a wonderful ride through the past.
• 
  Clive Willcocks

  six great short stories about H. they show us how H started and how he progressed to the present day. Highly recommended can't wait for the next one in the series.