- Book: The Lies of Locke Lamora
- Author: Scott Lynch
- Publisher: Gollancz
- Published: 2006
One of my top five books of all time, this is the first in the Gentleman Bastards series. It follows the eponymous Locke Lamora a professional thief in the great city of Camorr. He is the Garrista (leader) of one of the city’s many criminal gangs, all of whom swear fealty to Capa Barsavi and supposedly adhere to the Secret Peace he agreed with the city’s ruler Duke Nicovante.
The Gentleman Bastards are different to Barsavi’s other gangs, however. They do not adhere to the Secret Peace which is supposed to protect the city’s merchants and nobility from the attention of thieves. Instead, they focus their attentions on bringing the rich and powerful into their confidences and then fleecing them of as much as they can get away with.
Lies’ main plot centres around a challenge to Capa Barsavi’s power from the mysterious Grey King, and Locke and his friends’ involvement in trying to root out his identity whilst also engaging in one of their cons. It’s a great plot full of twists, turns and double-crosses aplenty set against a backdrop of a fantasy-style medieval Venice.
It’s the relationships between the members of the Gentleman Bastards though which makes this one of my favourite books. Especially the friendship between Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen, but also the group as a whole. They are a found family, entirely devoted to each other and loving what they do in the company they are doing it with. Brilliantly written dialogue, heartwarming scenes (presented in both the present and as flashbacks) and lots off top quality swearing, make the Gentleman Bastards sing on the page.
- Beer: New World Lager
- Brewery: Drop Bear Beer Co.
- Style: Indian Pale Lager
- Strength: <0.5%
Tbh it tasted like a bog-standard lager that has been allowed to go flat. I had high hopes going in but they were dashed on the first sip. Do not recommend.
Burch's Books and Beers 