Ray Brown’s new novel Whoosh! puts a gallery of characters in desperate situations to capture a fictional snapshot of a real time and place. Leeds, 1979, the year of Thatcher’s election and the death of Sid Vicious.

Police racism, mid-life crises, vandalism, cottaging, social displacement, sexual promiscuity and self-discovery all add to the pathos, black humour and tragicomedy as events race to a catastrophic finale.

It’s an ordinary Saturday in May 1979. As the clock moves from noon to ten thirty a handful of Leeds people coalesce, entwine, laugh, cry, go their separate ways. But for some it’s a day they’ll never forget. This is WHOOSH!, a novel pulsing with life, smouldering with humour, tempered by joy and sadness.

‘I laughed out loud… then laughed out loud again!’ Doug Sandle

Ray Brown’s writing career has encompassed academic research, radio plays, short stories, journalism, biography and theatre. His plays have toured both established theatres and village halls. His work for BBC Radio 4 includes features, talks, and plays. Writers who have praised his work include Trevor Griffiths, David Nobbs, Arnold Wesker and Colin Wilson. Armley Press published his previous novel, In All Beginnings, in 2015.