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The Burglar’s Dog takes a bite out of Newcastle’s pub scene
Added: (Mon Nov 06 2006)
Meet the Burglar's Dog: he's angry and rude, he's got four legs and an abysmal hangover. He spends much of his time visiting pubs in Newcastle and posting reviews on his most excellent website www.theburglarsdog.co.uk. And now he's written a book, or rather his alter-ego, first-time author Mark Jones, has.
The Burglar's Dog Alternative Guide to Drinking in Newcastle upon Tyne contains bleary-eyed reviews of more than 140 of the city's best and worst pubs, plus furry-tongued features on stag and hen weekends, pub DJs, toilet attendants, and other things that get up his snout.
Newcastle is now one of Europe's most popular destinations for weekends away, and is "officially" the eighth best party city in the world, making the book an essential survival guide for weekenders and stag and hen parties who might like to know which pubs to head for and which to most definitely avoid.
An acerbic drinking companion, The Burglar's Dog cocks his leg at pub mediocrity. No target is too soft, no gripe too petty, no insult too cruel. He yearns for proper pubs and has yet to find anything even remotely "to die for" behind the glittering façade of a luxury lounge bar.
"This mighty anthology has all the anger and spite you've come to expect from The Burglar's Dog," explains Mark Jones, "without the internet eyestrain."
Although he has published the book under his own name, the furtive Jones is reluctant to be photographed or reveal background details, hoping to retain some anonymity so he doesn't get barred from the many pubs he has savaged in print.
Jones is, however, delighted with his first book: "Just look at the size of it, man. Nearly 300 pages! Prop up a table leg? You could build a bloody two-storey extension with this compendium of curmudgeonly carping."
And with that he went to the pub.
The Burglar's Dog
Alternative Guide to Drinking in Newcastle upon Tyne
by Mark Jones
Published by Tonto Press, ISBN 0955218349, RRP Ł9.99
Released 6 November 2006
Available from all good bookshops including Borders and Amazon.co.uk.
Mark Jones is available for interview – please contact the publisher.
Tonto Press is an independent publishing company based in the North East of England dedicated to encouraging and developing new writing.