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sshabein's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Because my library happened to have it, the only Laidlaw book I'd read before this first one was The Dark Remains, which was finished by Ian Rankin after William McIlvanney's death. I've read a few of Rankin's Rebus books, which are generally good mysteries, but I'd be curious now to reread and see if I can spot the seams. Rankin may be a perfectly serviceable writer whose work I'll probably read more, of but McIlvanney gave me several moments of "Damn, now that's a sentence."
I felt like the ending became sort of a foregone conclusion, but otherwise, I loved this book. I can definitely see its influence in so many writers, though no one has quite risen to McIlvanney's gift of characterization and description. (Perhaps Alan Parks' series with Detective Harry McCoy comes close.) McIlvanney can give you a whole life, a whole history, in an apt sentence or two. Sure, DC Harkness's inner monologue gets a little overcooked at times, but this is a noir, and besides, Laidlaw teases him about it. We're all aware of our roles here. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the other books with these characters.
I felt like the ending became sort of a foregone conclusion, but otherwise, I loved this book. I can definitely see its influence in so many writers, though no one has quite risen to McIlvanney's gift of characterization and description. (Perhaps Alan Parks' series with Detective Harry McCoy comes close.) McIlvanney can give you a whole life, a whole history, in an apt sentence or two. Sure, DC Harkness's inner monologue gets a little overcooked at times, but this is a noir, and besides, Laidlaw teases him about it. We're all aware of our roles here. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the other books with these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence and Murder
Minor: Homophobia
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