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kahn_johnson's review against another edition
4.0
The start of a trilogy of gang-land novels set in Glasgow, The Necessary Death Of Lewis Winter is the stunning debut from Malcolm Mackay.
Telling the story from many angels of poor Lewis Winter, and his entirely necessary death, the book is both gripping and tense, with chapters whizzing by as you become gripped by events.
Taking the unusual tone of a narrator, rather than the more traditional storytelling approach, Mackay unleashes more characters than an Eastenders omnibus, yet manages to retain both a balance and the readers interest as the story moves from criminals to the police and back.
Starting gently, you become drawn into the world of drug dealing, with the tension mounts in the build-up to the hit, before the police investigation takes over with barely a change of pace.
One of Mackay's biggest skills is in making you care about a plethora of unlikeable characters - a trick made more impressive when you consider there is no description given of any of the characters (save for the list at the start of the book).
Leaving the visuals entirely to the reader allows Mackay freedom to get on with the action, while the reader fills in the blanks as when needed.
Not only is this quite unconventional, but the book as a whole just shouldn't work - right down to the ending.
Yet it does, brilliantly. And I can't wait to move onto the second instalment.
Telling the story from many angels of poor Lewis Winter, and his entirely necessary death, the book is both gripping and tense, with chapters whizzing by as you become gripped by events.
Taking the unusual tone of a narrator, rather than the more traditional storytelling approach, Mackay unleashes more characters than an Eastenders omnibus, yet manages to retain both a balance and the readers interest as the story moves from criminals to the police and back.
Starting gently, you become drawn into the world of drug dealing, with the tension mounts in the build-up to the hit, before the police investigation takes over with barely a change of pace.
One of Mackay's biggest skills is in making you care about a plethora of unlikeable characters - a trick made more impressive when you consider there is no description given of any of the characters (save for the list at the start of the book).
Leaving the visuals entirely to the reader allows Mackay freedom to get on with the action, while the reader fills in the blanks as when needed.
Not only is this quite unconventional, but the book as a whole just shouldn't work - right down to the ending.
Yet it does, brilliantly. And I can't wait to move onto the second instalment.
leni_paul's review against another edition
2.0
While getting inside the head of Calum was the most interesting part of this read, nothing could prevent me being irritated by the authors constant shifting point of view. As other reviewers have commented, the p.o.v changes in the middle of a paragraph and you are left working out who just said/thought/did that? I think the tense is challenging enough - 2nd person? This all interrupts the flow of reading and reminded me why most writers stick with one. The other problem this caused was with understanding the overall plot and as I made my way through the book I found I cared less and less about any of the characters - even Calum in the end. His survival is guaranteed isn't it? The book cover says this is part of a trilogy! So its no spoiler.
chesterburnett's review against another edition
4.0
Well done Scottish Noir about a freelance hitman and killing a low level drug dealer to send a message. Boiled pretty hard. Boiled just right by me. I'll read the next in the trilogy.
theforestlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Tartuin tähän vähän epäillen, dark noir kun tuntuu olevan täynnä vanhan kopioijia. Mackay onnistuu ja maalaa synkän kuvan Glasgowin alamaailmasta. Mitä liikkuu rikollisten, sutenöörien, palkkatappajien jne. päässä. Harmaan eri sävyjä. Lukijan ei kannata olla kenenkään puolella. Trilogian aloitusosa, saa nähdä jatkuuko taso seuraavissa osissa.
maxwell_plumb's review against another edition
5.0
Love the writing style in this trilogy. Compelling storytelling that is ultra realistic and extremely satisfying. Couldn’t put these books down.
shreyag's review against another edition
4.0
Very captivating book, read it in one go. Found myself really engaged will all the different characters and their own respective plots (except the cop).
ONE complaint though that really irked me to the point that I'm even writing a review. Often in the book there will be passages like this:
ONE complaint though that really irked me to the point that I'm even writing a review. Often in the book there will be passages like this:
He wears boxer shorts and a T-shirt to bed, in case you're wondering. You're probably not.
What? Why are you talking to me?? What was gained by adding this??
Perhaps this is supposed to call out the reader's voyeuristic enjoyment of this gritty story and perhaps teachers live at school.
Perhaps this is supposed to call out the reader's voyeuristic enjoyment of this gritty story and perhaps teachers live at school.
gtbacola's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
ide_vd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0