Layer Cake (novel)

infobox Book |
name = Layer Cake
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author = J.J. Connolly
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country = England
language = English
series =
genre = Crime novel
publisher = Duckworth Press
release_date = 6 April 2000
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 240 pp (first edition, paperback)
isbn = ISBN 0-7156-3018-0 (first edition, paperback)
preceded_by =
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"Layer Cake" is the debut novel of British author J. J. Connolly, first published in 2000 by Duckworth Literary. It was made into a motion picture in 2004 (also called "Layer Cake"), directed by Matthew Vaughn and written for the screen by Connolly himself.

Plot introduction

The book takes place in nineties London and is narrated by an unnamed, 29-year old drug dealer ("If you knew my name, you'd be as clever as me") who plans on leaving the crime game behind at the age of thirty to live life as "a gentleman of leisure." His retirement plan, however, is made complicated by a large shipment of stolen Ecstasy, the sadistic neo-Nazis who want it back, the unpredictable and often outrageous personalities of his friends, and his boss, kingpin Jimmy Price, who has charged him with the task of recovering the missing daughter of a wealthy socialite.

Plot summary

The story starts on April Fool's Day in 1997. The narrator, and his pal Mister Mortimer are waiting impatiently to sell a half-kilo of cocaine to a less-than-punctual pal, Jeremy. Until Jeremy arrives, we are introduced to various characters and are given a brief look into their histories, including Jimmy Price; Mister Mortimer (Morty), who served five and a quarter of an eight year sentence for being caught while disposing of suicide victim Kilburn Jerry after a party; young Clarkie, whom the narrator expects will be taking his place when he retires; and Terry, friend to all. The narrator also explains to us how he made it to where he is--starting small, growing in rank, keeping quiet and making sure everything is strictly business. Jeremy eventually arrives half an hour late to make the purchase.

In the next scene, Narrator is invited to Mortimer's pornshop, Loveland, and interrupts an argument between Mort and an employee, Nobby, who is confused on what to do over a shipment from the Netherlands of low-quality sex gear that they did not order. It is decided to send it back. Mort then drives the narrator to a fancy, out-of-the-way restaurant called Pepi's Barn, the haunt of "don" Jimmy Price, who has demanded to meet with him. Here we are introduced to Jimmy's right-hand man Gene, a loyal gundog to boot. The purpose of the dinner, as it turns out, is the disappearance of a young girl name of Charlotte Ryder. Charlotte is the daughter of Edward Ryder, a wealthy business contractor and socialite whom Price has known since childhood. She's run away with her new boyfriend, a cokehead by the name of Trevor Atkins, alias Kinky. Price charges Narrator with the task of locating Charlotte as a favor to Jimmy's pal, and promises that if he is successful, Price will allow him to retire without fuss.

Characters in "Layer Cake "

* The Narrator - A savvy 29-year old drug dealer hoping to pack up his earnings and leave the game to live life as "a gentleman of leisure" when he reaches the age of 30.
* Mister Mortimer - An African-English ex-convict with a short temper. He is the Narrator's closest friend and one of the reasons why the Narrator has been able to carry on business so long.
* James Lionel Price - Kingpin and druglord, fancies himself the "don" of northern London's entire drug enterprise.
* Gene - Jimmy Price's loyal gundog.
* Edward Ryder - A business contractor and wealthy socialite. Reluctant buddy of Jimmy Price.
* Charlotte Ryder - Edward's uncontrollable, run-away daughter.
* Trevor Atkins (aka Kinky) - Charlotte's boyfriend. A cocaine addict.
* The Duke - A flashy and careless gangster who steals a large shipment of ecstasy pills.
* Sidney - Nephew and errand boy of the duke.
* Tammy - Sidney's pseudo-girlfriend and the Narrator's love interest.
* Clarkie - Narrator's protege, who is also a member of one of London's leading crime families. Narrator takes Clarkie on as a protege, partly out of favor and respect for Clarkie's family.
* Terry - Morty's protege. As Clarkie is the future "brains" of the operation, Terry is the future "muscle" of the operation.
* Klaus - A sadistic German bent on retrieving the Ecstasy pills stolen by the Duke and his team.
* Freddie Hurst - An annoying, obese figure from Morty's past. Also, one of the primary reasons for Morty's incarceration.
* Cody Garret (aka Billy Bogus) - An old childhood friend of Narrator. He is an exceptional con-man, with a knack for mimicry and impersonation.
* Nobby - Employee of Loveland, Morty's sex shop front.
* Mister Troop - Ex-military, head bodyguard of Edward Ryder.
* Lawrence Francis Gower (aka 'Crazy' Larry Flynn) -
* Albie Carter - Jimmy Price's connection with the Regional Crime Squad.