"I was incredibly moved by this book. I laughed, cried, shouted. I cheered. This book moved me in so many ways, touched so many different emotions. It has been a long time since a book has done that, has reached down into me and pulled at my heart."

Disraeli Avenue is a free novella that follows on from Caroline Smailes’ successful debut novel In Search of Adam.

The houses on Disraeli Avenue all looked the same, the same shape, the same size but behind each coloured front door there was a story, a secret, a need. Bill Williams is lost, Aunty Maggie longs to be young and attractive, Crystal is searching to find out more about Adam. Tales of debt, infidelity, incest, love and loss all combine and weave into a mosaic of working class life. As the characters featured within In Search of Adam are given individual voice, the flashes connect into the making of Disraeli Avenue.

  • Number 9 In Search of Adam
  • * * * * *
  • Number 1 Martin North leaves home
  • Number 2 The making of Paul Hodgson’s legend
  • Number 3 A tarot reading
  • Number 4 The banana and milk diet
  • Number 5 Stamps for Crystal
  • Number 6 Payments for work, not yet done
  • Number 7 On me way to Bet’s flat
  • Number 8 James’ outbox
  • Number 9 Being Crystal
  • Number 10 I love Noel Ernest Edmonds very very much
  • Number 11 A potbellied pig for Christmas
  • Number 12 Details of a piano lesson
  • Number 13 A Lady Di hair-do
  • Number 14 The Queen of tittle tattle
  • Number 15 Being naked has caused an angry mob to be on my driveway
  • Number 16 I call her Elizabeth
  • Number 17 The old man in the queue
  • Number 18 Dear Diary
  • Number 19 Loose change
  • Number 20 The Wheel of Fortune reversed
  • Number 21 I am watching you
  • Number 22 Me da and his bugle
  • Number 23 Invoices for work not yet done
  • Number 24 Probably a robbery
  • Number 25 Reciting Metro stops, unable to sleep
  • Number 26 Buy my stuff, buy me
  • Number 27 A simple love story
  • Number 28 For straight-talking advice, ask Jane
  • Number 29 Being married to Jezebel
  • Number 30 My brother Eddie
  • Number 31 My creative writing exercises
  • Number 32 Dear Father Christmas
  • * * * *
  • Number 9 Thinking about wor Jude and wor Adam

When Caroline Smailes’ critically-acclaimed debut novel In Search of Adam was published she was overwhelmed by the response of her readers. Exploring themes of sexual abuse and self-harm, the book prompted many people to contact her to tell her of their own experiences.

Smailes said “when I realised what a chord had been struck with so many people I knew I wanted to find a way to give something back to those whose lives have been touched by abuse.”

A talented author, Caroline began to craft a novella that she could publish as an ebook, asking only for donations to charity ‘One in Four’ in return. The charity offers support for people who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence and as a small organization, desperately needs funds to continue its work.

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