Gang Wars On The Costa - The True Story Of The Bloody Conflict Raging In Paradise: The True Story of the Bloody Conflict Racing in Paradise Paperback – 10 April 2010

This book is just a round-up of police, court and news reports re-spun in a tabloid news style that Clarkson learned in the 80s.Clarkson pins those reports together with an occasional interview given by some random low-life who claims to be a big-shot gangster but usually opts to remain anonymous because he's likely too scared of getting a hiding, or perhaps because he was made up in the first place. Either way, the level of journalism behind this book is poor and smacks of a man trying to ingratiate himself with the underworld, rather than report on it.Hardly a tour de force of investigative work, this book relies on a top-spun writing style to muster a vain attempt to keep readers' attentions. But even the writing grows weary, as I feel did the author when stitching this drivel together. Cops 'swoop' and 'nick' 'crims' and 'drug lords' from cover to cover in a scant book that never goes any further than explaining more than the known facts of already-documented incidents. Individual accounts of gang war incidents on the Costas seldom get past the six to ten paragraphs of information Wensley Clarkson gleaned from local rags and court papers as he ventured around Spain trying to cobble a book together. There is no depth to his work and the upshot is that each chapter is patchy and disjointed, and gives just enough information on gang-related incidents to whet appetites but not enough to explain how or why each one arose. It all makes for a rather tiresome list.Proof of this lies in the last paragraph of each chapter that usually contains a quite laughable short 'summary' of all that has gone on the chapter's preceding pages. Every time, almost without fail, that ultimate paragraph does little more than conclude that things are hairy out there on the Costas and they could get worse. No s***, Sherlock. But in doing so, what those last paragraphs really surmise is that there was a clear lack of effort that went into producing this book that offers no real insight or historical merit at all.Lucky to get 2 stars from me.

Don't waste your time! First chapter shows you what's to come, just bits of stories about this criminal and that criminal. Whilst not wishing to disrespect the author its just the same story over and over again. Very disappointing

Although you know what goes on in Spain this book tells all and it’s a scary place both to live and visit. The kids that were left there are now feral. shameful what the locals have put up with all the corruption from top judges, lawyers and the criminals from all over the world for blood money

Vastly outdated now and a tunnel visioned view of the coasts and islands-Useful as a reference book I studying minor crimes. No real background just a list of crimes and misdemeanours

As someone else has already pointed out, this appears to be cobbled together from old newspaper cuttings, the odd interview, hearsay and the authors opinion. Chronologically erratic and with no story line whatsoever I persevered for about 100 pages in the vain hope that things might improve. Well, that’s a couple of hours of my life that I won’t get back.

This was a very average read compared to others in the true crime genre. You won't miss much if you don't buy this, every chapter is exactly the same but based on different regions in Spain. Doesn't really go into much detail, the author hangs around with different 'criminals' who it seems all blow their own trumpet. Blah blah blahIf you want a true crime book of magnitude - Donnie Brascoe - still the best by a long way on how corrupt organisations/gangs work.

Another enjoyable read I must say. As I've spent a lot of time on the Costa del sol over the years you don't realize this sort of stuff goes on but it obviously does. I'll keep my eyes peeled next time.

Great really interesting read and really enjoyed, many thanks