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Once Upon A Time In The Black Country: A 1950s Gangster Novel

Description:

Book 1 in the highly acclaimed Once upon a time In the Black Country series. Set in the post Second World War Black Country area of the West Midlands, Harry Scriven is a man torn between family loyalties, his moral compass and an ever present sense of justice. Can violence ever be justified?

In a world of 1950s nostalgia, classic cars, long forgotten pubs and vintage music, Once upon a time in the Black Country is Goodfellas meets The Peaky Blinders! An at times gruesome tale of one man's quest to battle his demons and lead a better life

What readers are saying about Once upon a time in the Black Country.
“Enjoyed it a lot, great plot and characters, really enjoyed how fictional characters intertwine with real locations and occasionally real-life gangsters... What I enjoyed a lot was the attention to the 50s details, the clothes, cars, music, pub culture etc...” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough.
I usually read in the evening and all day long I was looking forward to picking it back up again.
If you like a somewhat brutal, totally exciting, exhilarating read, then this is definitely a book for you. I really couldn't recommend it highly enough.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“The mood is set vibrantly in the Black Country where deep descriptions draw a wonderfully colourful picture of the place during that period. However, it is the very credible main characters that bring this story to life.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“I loved this book and looked forward to reading it each night! Characterisation was great and every person in the book were each brought vividly to life. The geography of the book was superb, I especially liked being taken to a load of different well-constructed 1950s Black Country Pubs and having a pint of mild and a packet of pork scratchings. I highly recommend giving this book a read, you won't regret it!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“Great fast paced gangster book with some twists along the way, just the right amount of crime and violence, nice to read about some familiar places within the black country and have little pieces of history setting the scene. The main characters you really feel you get to know, there's a nice balance between them being brutal but with a softer side too, would recommend to anyone that enjoys gangster crime books.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“This book should be made into a film! Brilliant, well written and gripping.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.
“This book is a fantastic well written gripping story and it relates to a time I remember well. Truly a local masterpiece.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“Fab...great … loved it so much...great insight into life in the black country way back in the 50s... I really enjoyed it.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“This is a really good read, up there with the best writers at present! Buy yourself this book and immerse yourself in the 1950’s Black Country.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“What a great book to read it's the new peaky blinders.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“Wow, what a nonstop no holds barred dark gem of a book. From the first few pages you are drawn into the murky world of the black country's dark past. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. If you’re thinking of getting this book, do yourself a favour and stop thinking and get it. Five stars from me.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“Great read a real page turner, so much description and you feel you really know the characters.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“It was gruesome and made me flinch a few times, which to me is down to the writer’s talent in descriptive writing. The violence may put some people off, but it is crucial to the story and as I said earlier, is an accolade to the writer’s descriptive skills.”- Facebook comment.

“Totally absorbing.”- Facebook comment.

“These books play like a movie in your head.”- Facebook comment
Read more

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars See if you can get hooked like me!

M.A.D.W. · 6 November 2025

These had been on my possibly list for a while; they are very very good indeed, something different, they don't disappoint, I'm now on book 5 of the 8.

4.0 out of 5 stars Gritty

V.S.B. · 18 June 2020

This novel appealed to me as it is set in an area that I know well. The author has been a bit cheeky using the name of one of the "heroes" as being quite uncommon and, coincidentally, that of a well-known local family.No spoilers but it is a satisfying read, if not too demanding. I only wish the proof readers had done a better job though.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and brutal, brilliant period detail too!

A. · 23 July 2020

Enjoyed it a lot, great plot and characters, really enjoyed how fictional characters intertwine with real locations and occasionally real life gangsters...Pretty brutal at times, one character meets a (deserved) fate like something from the Hostel movies...What I enjoyed a lot was the attention to the 50s details, the clothes, cars, music, pub culture etc...The author has also confirmed he's working on a sequel, hopefully out for Xmas, which I will definitely look out for!

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a page turner

F. · 29 August 2025

Engrossing readHubby not put it down yet ..

3.0 out of 5 stars well plotted

k. · 1 December 2022

A good plot, with relatable characters. However, the dialect dialogue was often distracting and the book would have benefitted from professional editing.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Start to a Series

G.H. · 29 April 2023

I picked up this book on my Kindle, I started with the sample but within a few pages I knew I'd be buying the full book. I did and I wasn't let down.Being an ex pat Black Country mon living in Cambridge, where non ov um spaeks proppa, this book immersed me back into the land of Bonks' Bitta and yam yam banter.But not only was it evocative of the region and it's people, this is a damn good story with characters that are by no means perfect, but you will care for them.Certainly not one for the squeamish as some of the scenes of violence are graphic but none of these scenes are unwarranted.In short, a great book and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

4.0 out of 5 stars Happy

D. · 15 November 2024

You get what u pay for

5.0 out of 5 stars One for the Yam-Yams

T.B. · 21 August 2024

If you’re a fan of Peaky Blinders then this will be worth a read…didn’t realise there was another 6/7 books in the series - still debating on further reading but I enjoyed this one - Being an ex Black-Country guy I didn’t find it hard to read when it dropped into the Black Country accent even though I thought some wasn’t the same as we would have worded stuff but I guess it has to be written to address a wider audience- but yeah! Bostin stuff 👍

It is where I was born

P.L. · 20 February 2025

It was a lovely reminder of my childhood

If you only knew....

A.C. · 22 July 2021

An amazing tale, took me back to my childhood in east London . Well written,totally believable. Now for the sequel

Graphic

D.O. · 10 November 2024

Very true representation of life in 1950’s black country.There but for the grace of God go I

reasonably priced

I.A. · 17 January 2024

A well written book.

OK Read

J.B. · 3 November 2021

The book wasn’t as good as I’d been expecting. It really needed to be proofread before publishing as there were some glaring basic spelling errors i.e. passengers spelt passangers, etc. I enjoyed deciphering the Black Country accent but I won’t be purchasing any more in the series unfortunately.

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Once Upon A Time In The Black Country: A 1950s Gangster Novel

Product ID: KO088A5T5CD
Condition: New

4.3

(658 ratings)

AED8629

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United Kingdom

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Similar items from “Thrillers”

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Visit the Independently published Store

Once Upon A Time In The Black Country: A 1950s Gangster Novel

Product ID: KO088A5T5CD
Condition: New

4.3

(658 ratings)
Once Upon A Time In The Black Country: A 1950s Gangster Novel-0
Type: Paperback

AED8629

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United Kingdom

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

Book 1 in the highly acclaimed Once upon a time In the Black Country series. Set in the post Second World War Black Country area of the West Midlands, Harry Scriven is a man torn between family loyalties, his moral compass and an ever present sense of justice. Can violence ever be justified?

In a world of 1950s nostalgia, classic cars, long forgotten pubs and vintage music, Once upon a time in the Black Country is Goodfellas meets The Peaky Blinders! An at times gruesome tale of one man's quest to battle his demons and lead a better life

What readers are saying about Once upon a time in the Black Country.
“Enjoyed it a lot, great plot and characters, really enjoyed how fictional characters intertwine with real locations and occasionally real-life gangsters... What I enjoyed a lot was the attention to the 50s details, the clothes, cars, music, pub culture etc...” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough.
I usually read in the evening and all day long I was looking forward to picking it back up again.
If you like a somewhat brutal, totally exciting, exhilarating read, then this is definitely a book for you. I really couldn't recommend it highly enough.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“The mood is set vibrantly in the Black Country where deep descriptions draw a wonderfully colourful picture of the place during that period. However, it is the very credible main characters that bring this story to life.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“I loved this book and looked forward to reading it each night! Characterisation was great and every person in the book were each brought vividly to life. The geography of the book was superb, I especially liked being taken to a load of different well-constructed 1950s Black Country Pubs and having a pint of mild and a packet of pork scratchings. I highly recommend giving this book a read, you won't regret it!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“Great fast paced gangster book with some twists along the way, just the right amount of crime and violence, nice to read about some familiar places within the black country and have little pieces of history setting the scene. The main characters you really feel you get to know, there's a nice balance between them being brutal but with a softer side too, would recommend to anyone that enjoys gangster crime books.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“This book should be made into a film! Brilliant, well written and gripping.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.
“This book is a fantastic well written gripping story and it relates to a time I remember well. Truly a local masterpiece.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“Fab...great … loved it so much...great insight into life in the black country way back in the 50s... I really enjoyed it.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“This is a really good read, up there with the best writers at present! Buy yourself this book and immerse yourself in the 1950’s Black Country.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“What a great book to read it's the new peaky blinders.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“Wow, what a nonstop no holds barred dark gem of a book. From the first few pages you are drawn into the murky world of the black country's dark past. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. If you’re thinking of getting this book, do yourself a favour and stop thinking and get it. Five stars from me.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazon review.

“Great read a real page turner, so much description and you feel you really know the characters.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Amazon review.

“It was gruesome and made me flinch a few times, which to me is down to the writer’s talent in descriptive writing. The violence may put some people off, but it is crucial to the story and as I said earlier, is an accolade to the writer’s descriptive skills.”- Facebook comment.

“Totally absorbing.”- Facebook comment.

“These books play like a movie in your head.”- Facebook comment
Read more

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars See if you can get hooked like me!

M.A.D.W. · 6 November 2025

These had been on my possibly list for a while; they are very very good indeed, something different, they don't disappoint, I'm now on book 5 of the 8.

4.0 out of 5 stars Gritty

V.S.B. · 18 June 2020

This novel appealed to me as it is set in an area that I know well. The author has been a bit cheeky using the name of one of the "heroes" as being quite uncommon and, coincidentally, that of a well-known local family.No spoilers but it is a satisfying read, if not too demanding. I only wish the proof readers had done a better job though.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and brutal, brilliant period detail too!

A. · 23 July 2020

Enjoyed it a lot, great plot and characters, really enjoyed how fictional characters intertwine with real locations and occasionally real life gangsters...Pretty brutal at times, one character meets a (deserved) fate like something from the Hostel movies...What I enjoyed a lot was the attention to the 50s details, the clothes, cars, music, pub culture etc...The author has also confirmed he's working on a sequel, hopefully out for Xmas, which I will definitely look out for!

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a page turner

F. · 29 August 2025

Engrossing readHubby not put it down yet ..

3.0 out of 5 stars well plotted

k. · 1 December 2022

A good plot, with relatable characters. However, the dialect dialogue was often distracting and the book would have benefitted from professional editing.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Start to a Series

G.H. · 29 April 2023

I picked up this book on my Kindle, I started with the sample but within a few pages I knew I'd be buying the full book. I did and I wasn't let down.Being an ex pat Black Country mon living in Cambridge, where non ov um spaeks proppa, this book immersed me back into the land of Bonks' Bitta and yam yam banter.But not only was it evocative of the region and it's people, this is a damn good story with characters that are by no means perfect, but you will care for them.Certainly not one for the squeamish as some of the scenes of violence are graphic but none of these scenes are unwarranted.In short, a great book and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

4.0 out of 5 stars Happy

D. · 15 November 2024

You get what u pay for

5.0 out of 5 stars One for the Yam-Yams

T.B. · 21 August 2024

If you’re a fan of Peaky Blinders then this will be worth a read…didn’t realise there was another 6/7 books in the series - still debating on further reading but I enjoyed this one - Being an ex Black-Country guy I didn’t find it hard to read when it dropped into the Black Country accent even though I thought some wasn’t the same as we would have worded stuff but I guess it has to be written to address a wider audience- but yeah! Bostin stuff 👍

It is where I was born

P.L. · 20 February 2025

It was a lovely reminder of my childhood

If you only knew....

A.C. · 22 July 2021

An amazing tale, took me back to my childhood in east London . Well written,totally believable. Now for the sequel

Graphic

D.O. · 10 November 2024

Very true representation of life in 1950’s black country.There but for the grace of God go I

reasonably priced

I.A. · 17 January 2024

A well written book.

OK Read

J.B. · 3 November 2021

The book wasn’t as good as I’d been expecting. It really needed to be proofread before publishing as there were some glaring basic spelling errors i.e. passengers spelt passangers, etc. I enjoyed deciphering the Black Country accent but I won’t be purchasing any more in the series unfortunately.

More from this brand

Similar items from “Thrillers”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/KO088A5T5CD