Ron Ellis

Page Updated: 04/04/03

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Ron Ellis - Page 2

First British Edition Headline (1998)

Paperback - Headline (1999)

Mean Streets
Johnny Ace, part-time radio DJ and full-time landlord, has a dangerous new pastime: he's Liverpool's freshest Private Eye. Fully aware of the way Merseyside's proverbial grapevine works, he's not in the least bit surprised to get a phone call from elderly Bett Hope…

The body of Bert's son, Bradley, has just been found - floating in the Rivet Mersey - by the skipper of the afternoon ferry. Bradley had been a Merseybeat star back in The Beatles' heyday, and had gone on to conquer Las Vegas and become a film star in Hollywood, but it was largely assumed that a Lifestyle of drink, drugs and debauchery would lead him down the fast track to an early death - not murder.
Strangely, Bert is now adamant that he will be killed next and convinced that Bradley was being blackmailed. With Bradley's numerous excesses well documented what else could he have had to hide! And why would that now put Bett's life at risk? When Bert is found beaten to .death a few days later, Johnny's desperate search for the truth - and for the murderer - leads him down a path of ever-increasing danger to a destination of violence and revenge.
Featuring a wealth of local colour and characters, MEAN STREETS establishes Johnny Ace and the city of Liverpool as one of the most exciting combinations in modern crime fiction.
'Morse author Colin Dexter should beware - because Liverpool 'tec Johnny Ace is hot on his heels' Liverpool Echo
'Bright and breezy… Lots of local colour, some very shady characters and a violent but successful ending' Birmingham Post

First British Edition Headline (1998)

Ears Of The City
Johnny Ace has a daily record show on local radio in Liverpool. He also owns property in the city but he has time on his hands. When he reads in the paper about the murder of the 19 year old son of an old colleague, he decides to turn detective and find the killer. Perhaps, he thinks, he's been watching too much "Taggart" on TV.
His quest leads him back to his youth in the 60's to the days of The Beatles and The Cavern and Merseybeat when he played drums in The Cruzads.
As he moves around the twilight world of the city's nightclubs, he soon finds out that certain people are looking for him and his own life is in danger.
Furthermore, his love life is causing problems. The faithful, sexy Hilary is getting tired of his new 'companion', Maria, who looks like a 'blue-stocking version of Cher'.
The city of Liverpool comes to life in this gripping story, told with sardonic Scouse humour, as D.J. Johnny Ace makes the headlines for his own show.
'A cracking debut for Liverpool amateur sleuth DJ and landlord Johnny Ace who receives various body parts of one Matt Scrufford through the post. When Johnny discovers that he had known the dismembered Matt's father he cant rest until he solves the gruesome mystery. This tale of Mersey mayhem has more than its share of thrills and is sharper than a scouse comedian's one-liner' Steve Craggs, Northern Echo
'Lively romp set against a wonderfully authentic Liverpool setting - the quality of Mersey is not strained. DJ Johnny Ace is a likeable, laddish investigator who tries to discover why a friend's teenage son has been kidnapped. … Ellis's first [Johnny Ace] novel has a sprinkling of memorable characters, plenty of fast, throwaway dialogue and a realistic plot which would win the admiration of more experienced authors. More please' Janice Young, Yorkshire Post

Hardback
Linford ()

The Snort of Kings
Det. Chief lnsp. Knox goes undercover on a pop music tour, trying to find the man behind an international drug ring. Posing as a record promoter, he accompanies U.S. pop star Shula Sun round the disco and radio station circuit.
Meanwhile, Det. Chief lnsp. Glass, who has no time for 'college policemen', is unofficially investigating a series of 'accidents' to jockeys at various racecourses up and down the country.
The two trails meet in the Cotswolds as the pace hots up and lives are lost before a dramatic climax at the Grand National at Aintree.

First British Edition Hale (1979)

Murder First Glass
The Executioner is a new type of criminal. He advertises his crimes as forthcoming events. In a letter to The Times, he announces his intention of personally restoring the death penalty in England and, by the end of the week, his first victim is swinging at the end of a rope.
Meanwhile, Det. Chief lnsp. Glass races from Carlisle, Blackpool and Liverpool on the trail of a vicious gang who are robbing Post Offices. Will he get to them before The Executioner? The trail ends in London on a crowded Bank Holiday afternoon.
“A thriller which combines the excitement of Edgar Wallace with the humour of Leslie Thomas" The Stage
"An emotive picture of a public executioner written by one of the few 'punk' tories" Lancashire Evening Post
"Provocatively topical with much cynical and tongue in cheek humour" Southport Visiter
"Will leave your stomach churning as much with mirth as suspense” Southport Star
"A highly entertaining riddle punctuated by much sharp wit" Liverpool Echo
"Fast moving and exciting" West Lancashire Evening Gazette
"A witty and enjoyable read, more than a run of the mill thriller" Chester Chronicle