Grockle
(The story)
Born in 1948, in the backstreets of East London, Liam O'Keefe was moulded by a deprived life that inevitably led him into crime where he developed a blinkered obsession to make money and not care how.
​By 1974, Liam had achieved his ambition, but when a ruthless gang member attempts to stab him and dies accidentally in the struggle, any feelings of success disappear. Fearing the repercussions, Liam runs, leaves London for the first time and finds himself in a North Devon town.
Freed from the baggage of his London life, Liam begins to relax in the town's laid back atmosphere. He is charmed by the picturesque surroundings and the town's friendly and sometimes quirky residents, particularly one bubbly young waitress. For the first time, Liam feels a sense of belonging.
That is, until his new Devon friends ask for his help. To help would mean returning to London and confronting his aggressive past.​
From the seediness and aggression of 1970's London to the friendliness and charm of North Devon, Grockle is a story of one young mans life changing journey. An entertaining story that will compell you to read until the last word of its 400 pages.
Soon to be available as a hardback, the book is currently available as a 6"x9" paperback or as a downloaded eBook
Barry S Dowding
Those who know North Devon well will know that a Grockle is a slightly derogatory Devonian word for a visitor but Barry is no Grockle. Originally from London Barry has lived in North Devon for so long he can only be described as a local. He has written many stories during a busy life travelling around England and Wales, but 'Grockle' is Barry's first published novel. He will be donating any profit from the sale of the book towards research into Alzheimer's disease.