Reservoir Pups

Reservoir Pups is the first book in Colin Bateman's Eddie & the Gang with No Name trilogy, set in a run-down area of Belfast. This young adult novel follows twelve-year-old Eddie, who moves to a new neighborhood with his mother after his father leaves them. Eddie becomes entangled with a local youth gang called the Reservoir Pups after being wrongly accused of association with them. His involvement with the gang leads him to discover a plot involving the hospital where his mother works as a nurse. The story centers on Eddie's attempts to prevent a crime while navigating his new life, dealing with family changes, and finding his place among the Reservoir Pups gang members, including their mysterious leader Captain Black. The novel explores themes of loyalty, belonging, and moral choices, presenting a coming-of-age story against the backdrop of urban Belfast's complex social landscape.

Readers call this a fun and fast-paced children's adventure story that parodies crime thrillers and gangster films. The humor and references appeal to both kids and adults. What readers liked: - Funny wordplay and character names - Action scenes maintain tension without being too scary for young readers - Likeable main character Eddie - References that parents will appreciate What readers disliked: - Some felt the violence, though cartoonish, was inappropriate for younger children - A few found the plot predictable - Several mentioned it works better if readers are familiar with crime movie tropes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.71/5 (49 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (11 reviews) Sample review: "A brilliant spoof of gangster movies with talking dogs. My 10-year-old loved the action while I enjoyed catching all the film references." - Goodreads user "The violence might be too much for sensitive kids under 10, even though it's played for laughs." - Amazon reviewer

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🔍 The book's title "Reservoir Pups" is a clever play on Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs," though crafted for a younger audience. 🏥 The hospital setting was inspired by Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, which has been a significant landmark in the city since 1797. ✍️ Colin Bateman began his writing career as a journalist for the County Down Spectator at just 17 years old. 🌍 Belfast, where the story is set, has become increasingly popular as a filming location for major productions, including "Game of Thrones" and "Line of Duty." 📚 The Eddie & the Gang with No Name trilogy was one of the first young adult series to tackle the post-Troubles era in Northern Ireland through a crime fiction lens.