‘Underdogs’ is the debut novel from Middlesbrough writer Louise Powell, and it captures life on the fringes, particularly among those drawn to the ‘flapping’—or independent greyhound racing—community.

Reg is up to his eyes in red letters, but he hopes to earn some cash by doing a bit of off-book work for Bertie. Dripping in gold, Bertie is the king of the Country Durham ‘flapping’ scene. However, the local bookies are wary of Bertie’s success and so Bertie needs to box clever when it comes to racing his dogs. Consequently, he asks Reg to pretend to be the owner of his new future-champion dog, Goldie. Trouble is, Reg is something of a novice when it comes to greyhounds and the racing of them… ‘Underdogs’ is seen through the eyes of Reg’s ten-year-old son, George, a literary device which is something of a masterstroke for first-time author Louise Powell. Set in the early 1990s, when ‘flapping’ tracks were still in existence, the novel introduces us to this esoteric world—the sights, sounds, and smells— at the same time as George is as he moves among the many colourful characters that gather together once a week to exchange their hard-earned. Written in local vernacular, ‘Underdogs’ rings true from first page to last. RM

Published by 

JM Originals