TURF

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Jay is fifteen years old and a member of the Blake Street Boyz gang. With a knife in his pocket and his best friend Milk by his side, he spends his time fiercely defending their turf. He takes his lessons from the streets and thinks he knows everything about choices. Choose the right gang, and they will protect you. Choose the right clothes, the right chat, the right snacks and you will be respected. But now he's coming of age and he's being given the chance to step up. He must stab and kill a member of a rival gang... and there are no choices left. This is a story set against the backdrop of London's inner-city tower blocks, where killing can be easier than choosing a chocolate bar; where gang violence rules, and where loyalty can cost you your soul.

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John Lucas was born in East London. Turf is based on John’s own experiences of growing up in Hackney – he has been a victim of and witness to multiple acts of street violence. His debut novel TURF is out in August 2012. His ebook short TROUBLE is a reimagining of the London riots through the eyes of characters from TURF. You can follow him on Twitter on @wordoflucas