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pinskal's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
a very good world noir book
andrew61's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Third in this series which I am really enjoying. Set in 1970's Glasgow the sense of time and place is done perfectly as Harry McCoy finds himself sidelined when a young girl goes missing and the hunt is front of the newspapers. At the same time Bobby March, a faded pop star is found in a hotel room. Harry eventually gets drawn into both investigations as the increasing heroin epidemic sweeps the city. Great gritty storytelling.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
When a 13-year-old girl disappears from an estate on her way to buy icecream all of Glasgow wants to know what the police are doing about it. However, for Harry McCoy, he is not on the case, his nemesis Raeburn is leading it. McCoy is asked to look into the death of faded local rock star Bobby March but that just seems to be an accidental overdose and his boss' 15-year-old niece is relatively easy to find. However, all is not as it seems in the 1973 world of Glasgow crime as drugs are now the new way of making money whereas old-school armed robbery is more specialised.
This is a terrific read. Parks manages to hit the time and place aspect so perfectly, the sectarian issues in Glasgow, the split between the haves and the have nots, the sexism and the fantastic characters are coupled with a series of clever little subplots to combine to make a thoroughly enjoyable police procedural. I've read all of Parks' books and this is another triumph
This is a terrific read. Parks manages to hit the time and place aspect so perfectly, the sectarian issues in Glasgow, the split between the haves and the have nots, the sexism and the fantastic characters are coupled with a series of clever little subplots to combine to make a thoroughly enjoyable police procedural. I've read all of Parks' books and this is another triumph
henrismum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
#3 in series (I started reading this series in November 2022. This is the third in the series. I will commit to it.)
Will I read other installments?Probably Not Maybe Definitely
Comparison to others in series:Not as good About the same Better
I said better, but . . . There were some unanswered questions here, or did I miss something while I was in the shower? The reader finds out what happened to Bobby March, but did anyone else? And the girl? And the body Harry recognized but did not identify? Maybe the April book will answer these questions.
Harry was slightly more sober in this book. He acted more like a police officer than a thug. Is he maturing or was he this way to fit the narrative?
The narrator was Andrew McIntosh. I love his voice.
Source: Hoopla
#3 in series (I started reading this series in November 2022. This is the third in the series. I will commit to it.)
Will I read other installments?
Comparison to others in series:
I said better, but . . . There were some unanswered questions here, or did I miss something while I was in the shower? The reader finds out what happened to Bobby March, but did anyone else? And the girl? And the body Harry recognized but did not identify? Maybe the April book will answer these questions.
Harry was slightly more sober in this book. He acted more like a police officer than a thug. Is he maturing or was he this way to fit the narrative?
The narrator was Andrew McIntosh. I love his voice.
Source: Hoopla
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Violence, Police brutality, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, and Vomit
sshabein's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoy this series, even when there are a couple of plot points that conveniently tie up some loose ends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Drug use, and Murder
jo_the_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
notbenhoy's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
totallytales's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely pitch-perfect! If you are looking for a dark, gritty crime novel that totally captures you within its pages then look no further.
This compelling read will transport you to 1970's Glasgow into the world of McCoy, a brilliant protagonist a bit rough around the edges and far from perfect but he has real heart making him the perfect anti-hero.
The plot is unforgettable, the dialogue is sharp and engaging. This was my first Harry McCoy novel but it certainly won't be my last. A gripping nerve-jangling thriller is a must-read for all crime readers out there!
Thank-you Anne Cater & Canongate Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This compelling read will transport you to 1970's Glasgow into the world of McCoy, a brilliant protagonist a bit rough around the edges and far from perfect but he has real heart making him the perfect anti-hero.
The plot is unforgettable, the dialogue is sharp and engaging. This was my first Harry McCoy novel but it certainly won't be my last. A gripping nerve-jangling thriller is a must-read for all crime readers out there!
Thank-you Anne Cater & Canongate Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
kmac2022's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25