Set in Glasgow in 1973, this is the author’s second book in the Harry McCoy series and, although I think it would probably have been more satisfying had I read “Bloody January” first, I found there were enough clues about the main character’s backstory to be able to read this as a stand-alone novel.
It’s clear from the start that McCoy is a haunted, deeply-troubled character who is not only struggling with his return to work after undergoing the statutory three counselling sessions which followed the traumatic, violent conclusion to his last case, but also with the effects of traumatic experiences during his childhood. With a taste for booze and drugs, as well as a tendency to use his fists when dealing with recalcitrant suspects, he is an archetypical detective from an era when bending the rules and police brutality were more likely to be tolerated. Stevie Cooper, a friend from his childhood who offered vital support and protection during some difficult times, also happens to be part of the Glasgow underworld, meaning that there are times when the detective finds that personal loyalties lead to a blurring of the boundaries between licit and illicit behaviour. As something of a counter-balance to the flawed detective, Wattie, a new and rather naïve young detective, often provides a more honourable, principled voice, acting as a brake on some of McCoy’s excesses.
Although it’s apparent from the beginning who’s responsible for the brutal murders, the fact that he’s linked to the undisputed leader of Glasgow’s gangland, and that the first victim is the fiancé of this man’s daughter, means that the stakes are high in the search for the murderer. Will the police find him first or will he be found and dealt with by a father seeking to avenge his daughter’s loss?
This “Tartan noir” story is told mainly from the viewpoint of Harry McCoy, but briefly interspersed with the main narrative are insights into the psychopathic personality of the murderer, the sadistic pleasure he takes in gratuitous violence and torture and his gradually deteriorating mental state. However, he is not the only one to use violence as a means to an end as so many of the characters, on both sides of the law, appear to regard it as the “lingua franca” of their interactions, making this a very dark and disturbing story to read … Tartan-noir rather than Scandi-noir!
Although this is a well-written story which captures a highly atmospheric sense of time and place in a city rife with drugs, violence and criminal gangs, I definitely cannot describe it as an enjoyable read! There were times when I found it almost unbearable to continue reading the detailed, graphic descriptions of not only the brutal murders, but also the of the casual violence used by so many of the characters. At times it felt as though there was little difference between the behaviour of the criminals and of the police, with both sides resorting to violence, blackmail and other corrupt practices ... much of the justice meted out was definitely of the rough kind! However, I did find myself rooting for the main character and, even when I hated some of his behaviour, I at least felt able to understand why he made some of the decisions he did!
The development of the plot is satisfyingly full of twists and turns and themes contained within the story include reflections on mental illness and mental health, and the long-term effects of historic physical and sexual abuse. Each of the characters is well-developed and although the moral ambiguity of many of them (police and criminals alike!), their crude language and their gratuitous violence frequently made this a disturbing story to read, they felt very much “of their time”. I particularly enjoyed discovering the long-term significance of McCoy’s relationships with Stevie Cooper and Chief Inspector Murray and why each is such a key figure in his life. It’s difficult to go into any detail without introducing spoilers but their various interactions gave the story a psychological integrity which I found impressive ... to the extent that I now want to read the third book in the series, “Bobby March will Live Forever”, because I want to know how these relationships continue to develop!
It’s clear from the start that McCoy is a haunted, deeply-troubled character who is not only struggling with his return to work after undergoing the statutory three counselling sessions which followed the traumatic, violent conclusion to his last case, but also with the effects of traumatic experiences during his childhood. With a taste for booze and drugs, as well as a tendency to use his fists when dealing with recalcitrant suspects, he is an archetypical detective from an era when bending the rules and police brutality were more likely to be tolerated. Stevie Cooper, a friend from his childhood who offered vital support and protection during some difficult times, also happens to be part of the Glasgow underworld, meaning that there are times when the detective finds that personal loyalties lead to a blurring of the boundaries between licit and illicit behaviour. As something of a counter-balance to the flawed detective, Wattie, a new and rather naïve young detective, often provides a more honourable, principled voice, acting as a brake on some of McCoy’s excesses.
Although it’s apparent from the beginning who’s responsible for the brutal murders, the fact that he’s linked to the undisputed leader of Glasgow’s gangland, and that the first victim is the fiancé of this man’s daughter, means that the stakes are high in the search for the murderer. Will the police find him first or will he be found and dealt with by a father seeking to avenge his daughter’s loss?
This “Tartan noir” story is told mainly from the viewpoint of Harry McCoy, but briefly interspersed with the main narrative are insights into the psychopathic personality of the murderer, the sadistic pleasure he takes in gratuitous violence and torture and his gradually deteriorating mental state. However, he is not the only one to use violence as a means to an end as so many of the characters, on both sides of the law, appear to regard it as the “lingua franca” of their interactions, making this a very dark and disturbing story to read … Tartan-noir rather than Scandi-noir!
Although this is a well-written story which captures a highly atmospheric sense of time and place in a city rife with drugs, violence and criminal gangs, I definitely cannot describe it as an enjoyable read! There were times when I found it almost unbearable to continue reading the detailed, graphic descriptions of not only the brutal murders, but also the of the casual violence used by so many of the characters. At times it felt as though there was little difference between the behaviour of the criminals and of the police, with both sides resorting to violence, blackmail and other corrupt practices ... much of the justice meted out was definitely of the rough kind! However, I did find myself rooting for the main character and, even when I hated some of his behaviour, I at least felt able to understand why he made some of the decisions he did!
The development of the plot is satisfyingly full of twists and turns and themes contained within the story include reflections on mental illness and mental health, and the long-term effects of historic physical and sexual abuse. Each of the characters is well-developed and although the moral ambiguity of many of them (police and criminals alike!), their crude language and their gratuitous violence frequently made this a disturbing story to read, they felt very much “of their time”. I particularly enjoyed discovering the long-term significance of McCoy’s relationships with Stevie Cooper and Chief Inspector Murray and why each is such a key figure in his life. It’s difficult to go into any detail without introducing spoilers but their various interactions gave the story a psychological integrity which I found impressive ... to the extent that I now want to read the third book in the series, “Bobby March will Live Forever”, because I want to know how these relationships continue to develop!