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The humour, characterisation, vibrancy of language and sharp eye for detail absolutely won me over and I’ve already bought another book to try. The crappy tabloids were just as bad: ‘RANDY RHYNIE’S “RUSSIAN ROMP” RUMOURS’, ‘MIGRANTS “SWAMPING NHS” SAYS HERO COUNCILLOR’, and ‘JOCK COPS CAN’T CATCH CREEPY KILLER’.
And to be fair, three quarters of this book featuring DS Lucy McVeigh and her hilarious sidekick DC Fraser aka The Dunk, was trademark MacBride excellence. Digital whiteboards lined the whole side wall, covered in notes and lines and boxes and process-flow diagrams.Even when the novel takes some dark turns – and Lucy’s past trauma is described in shocking detail – I was totally on board. Lucy however, is very distracted as not only is she struggling with possible PTSD, she has a stalker and if that’s not enough Benedict Strachan, a recently released child killer is pleading for her help and protection. Intercut with her progress is the decades-old case of an 11-year-old boy who, with an unknown accomplice, confessed to killing a homeless man. A few of the older officers made eye contact with Lucy and winced at that, but they kept their mouths shut. However, that doesn't always go to plan, because master of storytelling, gritty crime fiction and tartan humour, MacBride, generally has me wheeching through the book at a rate of knots.
The frightened Strachan has been recently released from prison, he is asking for MacVeigh's help, talking of 'them' being after him, is he just paranoid? This one certainly takes Ronald Knox's "Ten Commandments", shreds them into tiny pieces, soaks them with petrol and sets them on fire (probably on a railway line)! Very disappointing and if Detective Lucy McVeigh is the start of a series, unfortunately I won't be reading another. I have read many books by this author and enjoy the ‘Logan McRae’ series but I’m afraid I struggled a little with this one. If you can keep an open mind and just go with it, then you should have an enjoyable ride and – I guess the real question is would I read another book featuring Lucy McVeigh?
Lucy slipped out of the briefing room, closing the door behind her, shutting off the bored chatter of two dozen plainclothes and uniformed officers. There is more, Charlie from Professional Standards is intent on talking to her, seemingly turning up everywhere, but she will do anything to avoid him. Released after serving 16 years in prison he is now seeking help from Lucy but is adamant he still won't give up the name of his accomplice. Operation Maypole has run out of clues, the public have lost faith in them, the media are giving them a hammering, and The Top Brass are demanding answers. Wait a minute, there was someone watching her from the other side of the road: a tall, thin man, with a big forehead surrounded by curly brown hair.
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