Read this version instead and send me your comments through the messageboard. Much appreciated, Marita.
Behind The Hood – Synopsis. (Previously known as Hear Speak See No Evil).
“Tama could hear sirens in the distance. Although it was the music of his neighbourhood, he knew the pigs would soon be performing in his dead-end street.”Set on the rough side of Auckland (New Zealand), this story tells the events that follow the stabbing of Maia Daniels and the effect it has on the attacker's and victim's loved ones. Told from different viewpoints, this gritty novel is a tale of gangs, violence, suicide, abuse, drugs, sex—and revenge.
Tama Harris’s feud with Maia’s brother, Nike, started when he was bashed four years ago for sleeping with Nike’s then girlfriend, Leila. Now at the age of eighteen, Tama has grown into an angry young man, a gang leader with a sexual and violent appetite that boils over on the night that Nike’s little sister walks past him on the streets of Claydon. With his gang, he chases Maia and stabs her. He escapes from the police, but doesn’t realise his actions cause his schizophrenic mother to commit suicide.
Although Maia lives, Nike goes after Tama, trying to find out through Tama's friends and family where he has gone. After Nike interrogates Jayden Green, Leila's husband, Leila is viciously beaten by Jayden for reaffirming her desire for Nike. While Nike goes to the next house, Tama runs when a relative calls the police on him. Once Tama discovers what his mate has done to Leila he attacks Jayden.
Nike is continually one step behind Tama, but the harsh realities of life doesn’t stop. Trying to keep afloat financially, he couriers drugs out of desperation. He hides it from his wife, Jess, who Tama lusts after and plans on raping. When Jess confronts Nike about unexplained money being put into their bank account he confesses and promises to quit.
Mikey Thomas, Tama’s cousin and the youngest gang member, has been hiding for years that he is sexually and physically abused by his mother. Mikey runs away and confides in the Connor brothers, other members of Tama’s gang. Mikey and the brothers seek out Tama, but Mikey is shot due to Tama’s past dealings with Zane, an aggrieved boyfriend of a woman Tama had once slept with. Mikey is taken to hospital critically injured.
Maia finds out that Mikey has been shot and visits him. Although she’s upset that he was involved in her attack, she can’t help her attraction to him. She learns about his abuse and witnesses his mother’s arrest.
Tama is told of his mother’s death, causing his mental state to unravel more. When he finds out about Mikey’s abuse he adds his Aunt to his growing list of people he wants to kill. He goes to Nike's house first and follows Jess to her in-laws' place. When Nike's stepfather leaves Tama enters the property.
Jayden plans to leave Auckland with Annie, Nike’s cousin, and their son. They go to Nike’s mother’s house for a final farewell. While Jess is trying to fight Tama off, Annie and Jayden knock on the door. Tama restrains Jess so the couple leave without knowing what is happening inside. Jess vomits and tells Tama that she is pregnant in the hope that he won’t rape her. It backfires and he threatens to hurt her baby if she fights him.
Mikey is upset that Maia is visiting him, since he believes he’s unworthy, and confesses that he wanted to rape her during the attack. She forgives him and he thinks it’s out of pity for what his mother has done. He tries to drive Maia away. Maia’s is released from hospital that same day and goes home with her mother. They find Jess and call Nike, telling him about her rape.
Tama sneaks into visit Mikey and tries to convince him that the abuse wasn’t Mikey’s fault. Mikey then accuses Tama of raping Jess and admits to his own inclinations.
Jess is taken to hospital. After coming back Nike goes to his friend’s house, asking for a gun, but is refused one. Tama’s mate, Sledge, is Nike’s friend’s younger brother. Sledge inadvertently lets slip that Tama’s mother has died and Nike leaves, planning on going to the funeral to kill Tama. Sledge warns Tama.
At the funeral Leila sees Nike going after Tama with a baseball bat, an uncanny replay of the incident that set off the initial feud. Tama’s friends restrain Nike but not before Tama’s badly beaten. The police call an ambulance and Nike is arrested.
A month later: Maia approaches Mikey who agrees to a date. Nike is doing community service and is looking after Jess, who remains traumatised. Tama goes to jail for stabbing Maia and raping Jess. He is put into the same prison as his stepdad and is accepted into a gang. While he’s sitting with them he sees Zane walk past. Like in the opening chapter where Tama indicates for his gang to follow, he does the same thing with the intent on hurting Zane this time.
This novel is in the final stages of completion. The estimated length is 100,000 words.
This is the first book in a planned series.
**For the cover I would like an image of the back of Tama's tattooed head with his hood down.
This post was last edited by Marita Hansen, 03 Aug 2010, 05:46
Synopsis for Professional Critique
03 Aug 2010, 01:58
