pickI read a lot of crime novels, + it is rare to read a genre bk in which the themes + quality of writing stand out, but this 3rd in the Laidlaw series was remarkable. Several scenes stood out, including laidlaw holding the hand of the dying mother of a criminal because she reflects a generation of Glasgow women. The story is about the death of the detective's brother + is fused with reflections on family and the fragility of life. Definitely 5*
pickNot the tagged book, but by the same author of the Rebus series.
I'm trying to read some shortish books to complete 2023 challenges - this leaves me with one prompt to fill for #popsugar23. This does #publishedinthesecondhalfof2023.
Dark, even for this series. Scotland in winter, and the world of DS McRae is even darker. Although there were laugh out loud moments with the black humor of people doing thier best to survive horrible situations.
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pickI don‘t recall where I got this rec but i enjoyed this detective novel! Might read more of the series. It‘s set in Scotland and the narration was great, rly brought the plot to life. If you ignore the detective bit (there‘s some backstory and info on his life and such) it‘s as good as any modern domestic thriller out there. Solid read.
pickSecond of the Laidlaw series finds the aloof, intellectual detective following the trail of a missing student who is also being sought by two local gangsters. Pre dating the emergence of tartan noir this book from the early 1980s definitely seems the template for much of the future genre. I'm looking forward to book 3.
pickThis continues to be a good trilogy and I look forward to reading the third book!
so-soBrookmyre is a great story teller, but can be a little long-winded. This is the second Parlabane novel and there's the usual blend of action and satire.
These books are at the awkward stage where they are old enough to feel outdated, but not yet old enough to be delightfully vintage and reminiscent of a lost time.
Entertaining and satisfying enough, but also eyerollingly silly and a bit 90s.
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