BLOODY JANUARY

Taut, dark crime thriller set in Glasgow in 1973 - for fans of Luther and William McIlvanney's LAIDLAW books

When an 18-year-old boy shoots a young woman dead in the middle of a busy Glasgow street and then commits suicide, Harry McCoy knows it can't be a random act of violence. With new country-mouse partner – Wattie – in tow, McCoy uses his underworld network of rats to build a picture of a secret society run by Glasgow's wealthiest family, the Dunlops. The son, Teddy, is a particular charmer – he drugged up wee Tommy Malone, and convinced him it was his God-given task to kill young Lorna. Drugs, sex, incest: every nefarious predilection is catered for at the expense of the lower echelons of society, an underclass that includes McCoy's best friend from convent school – drug-Tsar Stevie Cooper – and his on-off girlfriend, a prostitute, Janey. But with McCoy's boss calling off the hounds, and his boss unleashing their own, the Dunlops are apparently untouchable. But McCoy has other ideas

The story stands alone, but leaves us with characters we'll want to engage with again and again, and I attach the synopsis for the second book in the series. This is perfect reading for fans of William McIlvanney's Laidlaw books, Oliver Harris' The Hollow Man, Quintin Jardine and Rankin's Rebus. Parks's writing is energetic and visceral, and McCoy is a satisfyingly complex and morally ambiguous protagonist. The novel reeks of the city, holds you in its grip and doesn't let go.

Alan Parks was born in Scotland and attended The University of Glasgow where he was awarded a M.A. in Moral Philosophy. He still lives and works in the city as well as spending time in London. He was Creative Director at London Records in the mid 1990s then joined Warner Music. From cover artwork to videos to photo sessions, he created ground-breaking campaigns for a wide range of artists including All Saints, New Order, The Streets, Gnarls Barclay and Cee Lo Green.