Wednesday 29 January 2014

2 BY WILLIAM MCILVANNEY

In the absence of having completed a book in the past few days - anyone seen my reading mojo? - I'll post a couple more soldiers from the ranks of the unread Criminal Library.

I can't actually recall where and when I heard of McIlvanney, but from my less than comprehensive notes, I acquired his three Laidlaw books back in the second half of 2012.




Laidlaw was read back in October, 2012. For some bizarre reason I scored it a 4 from 5.


Numbers 2 and 3 are as yet unread, though I have signed up to a Read Scotland Challenge and will hope to tackle them this year at some point.

THE PAPERS OF TONY VEITCH

Originally published in 1983 and nominated for an Edgar Award in 1984, a prize which was scooped by Elmore Leonard's La Brava.

McIlvanney once again sets out on the dark side of Glasgow with Detective Jack Laidlaw. "The wine he gave me winsy wine" were the final words of Eck Adamson to Laidlaw, his only friend. Laidlaw is convinced the Eck was murdered and that an elusive young student, Tony Veitch, holds the key to the mystery









STRANGE LOYALTIES

Third and last in the series, published originally in 1991.

A detective story that searches for answers to deep questions about life's injustice seeks to find out why Glasgow investigator James Laidlaw's brother stepped in front of a car.





17 comments:

  1. Coll - I'll be interested to see what you think of the rest of that trilogy. And I know all about having books on the unread shelf for a while...

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    1. Margot thanks, I'm looking forward to them both. As far as shelf-aging is concerned, they are relatively young pups! My bad.

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  2. Coll I'm looking forward to your reviews. From my side I have still to read Strange Loyalties

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    1. Jose thanks - February for Tony Veitch I think.

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  3. I read the first two when they came out, but I don't think I knew the third one existed. I'll wait for your review then decide whether to look for it.

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    1. Moira, your a dark horse, I never knew you'd read Laidlaw.

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  4. I bought these when you first mentioned them. Can't wait to read them.

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    1. Keishon cheers. They aren't too long which is a bonus for me. Hope I haven't made you waste your money and you enjoy them.

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    2. Not a waste, I read the sample and enjoyed it. Just a matter of when I want to read it at this point.

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    3. Cool - just stumped up for 1st 3 Ball's - 1 on kindle, 2 s/hand p/backs!

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  5. Col, I know nothing about this writer or his books, so I'll wait to read your reviews. I can see that your unread Criminal Library has some fine books.

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    1. Prashant, he's a well regarded Scottish writer, a touch more literary than much of what I read. Apparently he has influenced the likes of Ian Rankin.

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  6. I have not read McIllvanney Col, but I'm looking forward to dipping in this year! The cover on the book on the sidebar 'Circle of Influence' is great!

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    1. Peggy if you get the chance to read McIlvanney - he is very highly regarded and well worth a look. The Circle of Influence cover is striking - just finished it this morning - enjoyable too!

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  7. Glen has the first book going right now. I am looking forward to reading all three of them.

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