Books with title Small Fish Big Fish: A coming of age novel

It begins with one moment of weakness.When a £10 note slips off a shop counter and lands right at Stephen’s feet, he thinks it’s his lucky day. He decides to head to the fairground and have some fun.What happens next sends the seventeen-year-old's well-ordered life spinning out of control and he finds himself racing down a dark path, driven by his own naivety and his fear of next-door neighbor, Archie.Stephen should follow his instincts and do what he knows is right. But where Archie is involved, that’s more difficult than it sounds… Told through the eyes of several characters, Small Fish Big Fish is a powerful coming-of-age novel, a psychological thriller, and a moving story of family and young love.Adults and older teenagers will enjoy the world building, drama, and suspense offered by this gripping page-turner. PJ McDermott's twist on the traditional coming of age story will keep you reading until the last page.Paperback and hardcover versions are also available and make a perfect Christmas gift for any with a Scottish heritage or those who simply enjoy a good story!What Readers Say'I found myself unable to put it down after the first twenty pages.''Every young person wants to know they're not alone. We are all Stephen at some stage in our lives, lost, confused, trying to fit in, struggling to come to grips with our lives and who we are. This book does this flawlessly.''A wonderful story that all young people can relate to. It takes an age-old battle and puts it splendidly into words that many will appreciate. I could not believe the climax.'‘Reminds me of Frank McCourt's biography of his life growing up in Ireland.''A fantastic story and a great read.' Scroll up and download this enthralling coming of age story!

One lie, a moment of weakness, and a life balances on a knife-edge.It began simply enough. Picking up the ten-pound note was a no-brainer. Spending it at the fairground seemed a good idea at the time. Lying about it to Archie? Not so clever.Seventeen-year-old Stephen is struggling to come to terms with his place in life. He only wants three things—a girlfriend, a better life for him and his family, and to stay off Archie’s hate list. So far, he’s batting zero.Following a vicious set to, Archie manipulates Stephen along a path of lies, betrayal, and petty crime. Stephen is in way over his head. His dreams are turning into nightmares. He must escape Archie’s net, but can he find the way out before it’s too late?>Set in Scotland during the nineteen-sixties, Small Fish Big Fish is a coming-of-age novel where love, courage, and friendship are tested to the limit. The tension, suspense, and twists and turns will keep you guessing until the last page. If you enjoy true to life settings filled with real characters, suspenseful mystery and a touch of young romance, then you will love PJ McDermott’s twist on the traditional coming of age tale.What Readers Say'I found myself unable to put it down after the first twenty pages.''Every young person wants to know they're not alone. We are all Stephen at some stage in our lives, lost, confused, trying to fit in, struggling to come to grips with our lives and who we are. This book does this flawlessly.''This really is a wonderful story that all young people can relate to. It takes an age-old battle and puts it splendidly into words that many will appreciate. I could not believe the climax.''Your book reminds me of Frank McCourt's biography of his life growing up in Ireland.'Scroll up and download your copy of this inspiring story today. Paperback and hardcover versions are also available.

It's easy to go down the wrong path. The descent to hell is gradual… Scotland, 1965. Seventeen-year-old Stephen McBride has a dull, grey, average life in the impoverished town of Ferguslie Park. When he sees ten pounds on the floor of the corner shop, he takes a risk and spends the money on himself at the local fairground. He doesn't know it at the time, but his one dishonest decision changes the rest of his life. Bully Archie Stewart and a gang of thugs corner Stephen at the fairground and grabs the money. When the gang leader later apologizes and takes Stephen under his wing, Stephen finds himself drawn into an escalating world of criminality from which he can't escape. After the owner of the corner shop is found dead, Stephen knows Archie is the one responsible. If he comes clean, he'll clear his conscience, but he may lose his best friend, his family, and the girl he loves in the process. Set in Scotland during the 1960s, Small Fish Big Fish is the gripping coming of age story of a young man finding his place in a difficult world. If you like gritty settings, compelling characters, suspenseful mystery thrillers, and a touch of young romance, then you'll love Jacob Carlisle's twist on the traditional coming of age tale. Buy Small Fish Big Fish to start the well-written and riveting novel today! Interview with Jacob Carlisle Q. What's the story behind your latest book? I was born in the town of Paisley on the west coast of Scotland, near Glasgow. It was pretty rough going when I was a teenager—there was a lot of poverty, unemployment and petty crime in the locale, and not many fun outlets for young people. A lot of us ended up in gangs, and in trouble with the police. Not everyone was a crook—some of my neighbors were 'the salt of the earth', and there were a lot of unique characters around. In writing a young adult crime novel, I wanted to accurately represent this historical environment and the challenges faced by growing up there in a fresh way to this generation of readers. So many of the issues faced by Stephen are mirrored in today's society, such as bullying, friendship, romance, sex, self-confidence—just finding your own space in a complex world. Q.What is the greatest joy of writing for you? When I write, the world and everything in it fades away and there is nothing except creating my characters and stories. This total involvement in creating something that comes from my inner soul, is the reason I write and keep writing! Q. What do your fans mean to you? Everything! Without an audience for my work, what is the point? The more fans I have, the better I'll write. Q. What are you working on next? Actually, I'm working on a Science Fiction series under the name PJ McDermott that I'm really excited about. The first ebook, Avanaux: A Hickory Lace Adventure is already out, and book two will be published in November. It can be pre-ordered on Amazon. I'm also about half way through a sequel to Small Fish Big Fish. Q. Who are your favorite authors? Not an easy question to answer. There are so many! I enjoy reading gripping crime fiction especially murder mysteries. I loved Frank McCourt, Stieg Larsson, and Patrick O'Brien, and more recent writers such as Robyn Hobb, Graeme Simseon, JK Rowling, etc. but I also can't go past earlier authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert L Stephenson, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Dickens, and other British literary fiction writers.

Love, cheating, violence, death–coming of age in ScotlandWhen a £10 note slips off a shop counter and lands right at Stephen’s feet, he thinks it must be his lucky day. He decides to head to the fairground and have some fun.What happens next sends the seventeen-year-old's well-ordered life spinning out of control and he finds himself racing down a dark path, driven by his own naivete and his fear of next-door neighbor, Archie.It’s easy to say that Stephen should follow his instincts and do what he knows is right, but when Archie is involved, that’s more difficult than it sounds… Told through the eyes of several characters, Small Fish Big Fish is a powerful young adult coming of age novel, a psychological thriller about teen violence and bullying, and a moving story of family and young love.Adults and older teenagers will enjoy the authentic 20th century world building, drama, and suspense offered by this gritty young adult biographical fiction.Paperback and hardcover versions are also available and make a perfect gift for any with a Scottish heritage or those who simply enjoy a good read!What Readers Say'I found myself unable to put it down after the first twenty pages.''Every young person wants to know they're not alone. We are all Stephen at some stage in our lives, lost, confused, trying to fit in, struggling to come to grips with our lives and who we are. This book does this flawlessly.''A wonderful story that all young people can relate to. It takes an age-old battle and puts it splendidly into words that many will appreciate. I could not believe the climax.'‘Reminds me of Frank McCourt's biography of his life growing up in Ireland.''A fantastic story and a great read.' Scroll up and download this enthralling coming of age story!

In the small city of Tabor, a favourite teacher is stabbed.Jason Acciao is an underachiever who’s floated from one interest to another and never really stuck to anything long enough to understand it. A new teacher at his school coaxes him out of apathy and draws out his talent and drive. His teacher’s death drives Jason to assist with the investigation.There’s only one problem. Jason is already dead.BIG FISHMirella Acciao is a relentless social climber. Everything in her life aims to catapult her into prominence in Tabor society. She’s mastered the art of getting people to help her get whatever she wants. Mirella is invited to all the right parties and knows all the right people.There’s only one problem. She’s a person of interest in a police investigation.SMALL POND What’s it like to be completely powerless and voiceless?Are school and home really the safest places you know?What happens to all the little fish?

ONE DREAMS OF THE FUTURE. ONE HAS NIGHTMARES ABOUT THE PAST.Seventeen-year-old Stephen lives in a neighborhood where street gangs rule. He wants no part of that, so keeps his head down to avoid becoming a victim. But staying invisible is tough, especially when Archie is in the vicinity.To Archie, Stephen is a painful reminder of everything he’s missed out on—sober, caring parents, a decent education, good friends, a bright future. When he spots a weakness in the younger boy, he targets him for payback.The inevitable confrontation results in a series of events that propels Stephen down a pathway of deception and criminality, threatening those closest to him. He must find a way out of the mess before it’s too late.Then one night, Archie’s dream becomes Stephen’s nightmare.Small Fish Big Fish is a coming of age story that echoes the struggles, uncertainty, and hopes of young people everywhere. The tension, suspense, and twists and turns in this gripping psychological thriller will keep you guessing until the last page. If you enjoy true-life settings filled with compelling characters, suspenseful mystery and a touch of young love, then you'll love PJ McDermott's twist on the traditional coming of age story.What Readers Say“Every young person wants to know they're not alone. We are all Stephen at some stage in our lives, lost, confused, trying to fit in, struggling to come to grips with our lives and who we are. This book does this flawlessly.”“This really is a wonderful story that all young people can relate to. It takes an age-old battle and puts it splendidly into words that many will appreciate. I could not believe the climax.”“Your book reminds me of Frank McCourt's biography of his life growing up in Ireland.”“The portrayal of the bully and the victim of bullying is brilliant.”Purchase your copy of this inspiring story today. E-Book and paperback also available.

In the small city of Tabor, a favourite teacher is stabbed.Jason Acciao is an underachiever who’s floated from one interest to another and never really stuck to anything long enough to understand it. A new teacher at his school coaxes him out of apathy and draws out his talent and drive. His teacher’s death drives Jason to assist with the investigation.There’s only one problem. Jason is already dead.BIG FISHMirella Acciao is a relentless social climber. Everything in her life aims to catapult her into prominence in Tabor society. She’s mastered the art of getting people to help her get whatever she wants. Mirella is invited to all the right parties and knows all the right people.There’s only one problem. She’s a person of interest in a police investigation.SMALL POND What’s it like to be completely powerless and voiceless?Are school and home really the safest places you know?What happens to all the little fish?