J. J. Connolly 2 Books Collection Set: Layer Cake & Viva La Madness - Crime Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set
Layer Cake
Viva La Madness

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780715653647 (Layer Cake), 9780715653654 (Viva La Madness)
Publisher: Duckworth
Age Range: Adult

Overview
This two-book paperback set brings together J. J. Connolly's acclaimed crime novels Layer Cake and its sequel Viva La Madness, both set in London's high-stakes drug underworld of double-crosses and organized crime. Layer Cake follows an unnamed cocaine dealer trying to pull off one last deal before retiring, while Viva La Madness catches up with him years later as old debts resurface. Sharp and cynical, these novels are essential reading for fans of gritty British crime fiction.

About the Books
Layer Cake introduced readers to a cool-headed, unnamed cocaine wholesaler operating just below the radar of London's major crime families. He wants out of the game after one final, lucrative deal, but the job spirals into a tangle of betrayals, gangland politics, and violence that tests his nerve and his loyalties. The novel's rapid-fire dialogue and insider's view of the drug trade made it a standout debut, and its film adaptation, starring Daniel Craig, became a cult favorite that introduced the story to an even wider audience. Viva La Madness picks up the story later, as the same protagonist is pulled back into the criminal world he thought he'd escaped. A favor for an old associate quickly turns into a dangerous mess involving kidnapping, drug deals gone wrong, and a cast of volatile players who don't play by any rules. Connolly's prose remains as quick and cutting as ever, layering dark humor over real tension as the stakes escalate. Together, these two novels offer a continuous, immersive portrait of London's criminal underworld through the eyes of a narrator who is equal parts charming and ruthless. Readers who enjoyed the film will find the novels richer in detail and moral ambiguity, while the sequel expands the world with new characters. This set is ideal for readers building a crime fiction collection or discovering the story for the first time.

Key Benefits

• Complete two-book set: Layer Cake and Viva La Madness
• Brand new paperback copies, ideal for collectors and new readers
• Fast-paced crime fiction set in London's drug underworld
• Includes the novel behind the cult classic Layer Cake film
• Witty, slang-packed narration with real criminal authenticity
• Great gift for fans of British crime and gangster fiction

Book-by-Book Guide
Layer Cake — An unnamed London cocaine dealer tries to pull off one last deal before walking away from the trade for good.
Viva La Madness — Years later, the same dealer is dragged back into danger when a simple favor turns into a violent, high-stakes mess.

About the Author
J. J. Connolly is an English novelist born in London, best known for writing Layer Cake, the crime novel that inspired the hit 2004 film starring Daniel Craig. He followed it with the sequel Viva La Madness, continuing the story of his streetwise protagonist. Connolly's writing draws on his own familiarity with London's criminal subcultures, giving his novels a distinctive authenticity in voice, slang, and atmosphere. His work has helped define modern British crime fiction, blending sharp plotting with dark comic timing.

Why You'll Love This Set
This paperback set delivers two gripping, fast-moving crime novels in one package — ideal for summer reading, a birthday gift for the crime fiction fan in your life, or simply catching up on the story behind a cult classic film before diving into the equally dark sequel.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.