The Crew

Britain’s football hooligan culture takes center stage in Brimson’s rough-edged first novel, pitting Billy Evans, leader of the Cockney Suicide Squad (“one of the most notorious fighting firms in football”), against Det. Insp. Paul Jarvis of the National Football Intelligence Unit. Jarvis and Evans have a history dating back to 1996, when Jarvis was injured and a fellow officer was killed—a death Jarvis blames on Evans. Now, in 1999, Evans is apparently planning something big involving other hooligan crews and perhaps aimed at England’s upcoming match in Italy. With the aid of an informer and an undercover officer, Jarvis learns that Evans has assembled a “super crew” to caravan to Italy and cause a riot. Hooligans, British police, and Italian police all collide with unexpected results as Evans tries to stay a step ahead of the law. Brimson’s raw portrait of hooligan culture may shock and amaze American readers. (May)