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.