In a series of articles I describe the people, real events and the trips to Ireland that shaped my debut novel. The Jamaican family, community and town in which I was raised are the obvious early influences but because Wolverhampton was to become a by-word for racial discord in the 1960s and 70s it played the major role in forming my enduring views of social issues such as ‘race’ and ‘class’. Crime fiction is the genre I thought best suited what I had to say. In the words of the great crime novelist Val McDermid: all crime fiction is social commentary.
2024 is a year which marks two significant events in my writing career: the 25th anniversary of the
publication of my first novel; and the 20th anniversary of one of the biggest heists in history – the Northern Bank robbery in Belfast. In the coming weeks and months I will provide the previously untold story of how these two events became entwined in a real-life arms trial in Ireland and how my writing became parts of evidence for the defence – and prosecution.
Time has flown by… A quarter of a century has passed since my debut novel What Goes Around was first published under the pen name Sylvester Young. Originally, I dedicated my book to several people who had lost their lives when placed under arrest by police officers and, tragically, such injustices have not ended. To mark the 25th anniversary, I have chosen to re-dedicate this novel to those who continue seeking justice in all its forms.
Reviews
“Robbie Walker has been a fighter all his life and now more than ever the battles are becoming dangerously serious.
The death of his closest friend, Errol, at the hands of Ulster paramilitaries means a change of pace for Robbie. He finds himself caught in the middle of a street war as Errol’s killers and their IRA opponents prepare to do battle right under his nose.
Desperate to avenge his friend’s death by putting a face to his ruthless killers, Robbie realizes that no one can be trusted, not even Danny his old partner in crime, who seems to be helping to unravel the mystery of Errol’s murder.
This powerful Debut novel from Sylvester Young (Ralph Robb) promises a bright future for this new crime writer. ‘What Goes Around’ is, to coin of cliche, a real page-turner. This mystery and intrigue just keeps coming as the suspense builds to an explosive ending.”
— Claire Conway, The Big Issues
‘ . . .a deftly assured debut which provides British crime writing with a vibrant new voice.‘
“Although he initially blames the death on domestic disputes, Robbie Walker soon discovers that it has as much to do with the power-struggles of a post-ceasefire Belfast as the crime-ridden housing estates in middle England. . . Young (Robb) writes in a cinematic style and the author’s ear for street dialogue is astute, be it Jamaican patois or Irish brogue, is astute. His debut is an examination of private and public conflict that pulls no punches and provides no neat answer.”
— Ed Potton, The Times
“WHAT GOES AROUND is Sylvester Young’s powerful and explosive debut novel.
The novel explores a range of themes including male friendship and the complexities of the situation
in Northern Ireland. What Goes Around is without doubt a chilling novel which is destined to break
the boundaries of a traditional black novel.
Selina Julien, The Weekly Gleaner
‘ . . . a story that grips from the first page . . . ‘
– Untold Magazine
Ralph Robb 