EXCERPT: Muttering a prayer to the God she didn't believe in, Allie slid her fingers through the letterbox and groped for the string. At first, she couldn't feel it but when she slid her hand to one end, her fingertips brushed the nub end of the knot. She struggled to grasp the string, realising it was snagged around something on the inside. She feared it had been tied but at last she worked it loose and pulled the key through.

Sweating now, she let herself in. Hopefully the neighbours hadn't heard her. She wasn't planning on being there long, but she would still prefer the police to be unaware of her visit. Allie headed for the kitchen. She knew that's where she'd find what she was looking for.

There on the wall above the table in the bed recess was a family photograph. Danny, his parents and his brother Joseph. The man most likely to have a flash car with Paragon folders on the front seat. Allie reached up and lifted it from the hook. She was about to put it in her bag when she heard a sound that turned her guts to water.

The front door that she'd carefully locked behind her was opening.

ABOUT '1979': Hailed as Britain's Queen of Crime, Val McDermid's award-winning, internationally bestselling novels have captivated readers for more than thirty years. Now, in 1979, she returns to the past with the story of Allie Burns, an investigative journalist whose stories lead her into world a corruption, terror, and murder.

The year started badly and only got worse–blizzards, strikes, power cuts, and political unrest were the norm. For journalist Allie Burns, however, someone else's bad news was the unmistakable sound of opportunity knocking, and the year is ripe with possibilities. But Allie is a woman in a man's world. Desperate to get away from the "women's stories" the Glasgow desk keeps assigning her, she strikes up an alliance with wannabe investigative journalist Danny Sullivan. From the start, their stories create enemies. First an international tax fraud, then a potential Scottish terrorist group aiming to cause mayhem ahead of the impending devolution referendum. And then Danny is found murdered in his flat. For Allie, investigative journalism just got personal.

MY THOUGHTS: McDermid writes great crime fiction and 1979 is an excellent start to what promises to be a great new series.

While not as graphic nor dark as some of Mcdermid's work, 1979 is a compelling look at a time in the not so distant past, but a time that was very different to today. Women were still very much second class citizens, struggling to make their way in a man's world. There are no computers, no mobile phones.

Allie has ambition. And talent. So when an opportunity arises to collaborate on a story that doesn't involve items for the women's desk, she jumps at the chance. Then, knowing that a reporter's reputation is only as good as her last story, she embarks on a dangerous exposé.

Allie is a wonderful character, determined, bright and dedicated, and her growth as a person in 1979 is phenomenal as we see her confidence in her own ability increase, along with others respect for her.

Mcdermid's writing is, as always, excellent. Her characters are humanly flawed and relatable, the plot superbly crafted. I can always 'hear' her characters as I read, and 1979 was no exception.

It is going to be exciting to see where McDermid is going to take Allie's character in the future. I will be at the front of the line waiting to find out.

In her acknowledgements, McDermid pays tribute to the booksellers, who she describes as having been 'heroic' and 'innovative' over the past year (2020/2021).

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#1979 #NetGalley

I: #valmcdermid @groveatlantic

T: @valmcdermid @groveatlantic

#crime #historicalfiction #murdermystery #series #thriller

THE AUTHOR: Val McDermid, FRSE, FRSL is a Scottish crime writer, best known for a series of novels featuring clinical psychologist Dr. Tony Hill in a grim sub-genre that McDermid and others have identified as Tartan Noir. At Raith Rovers football stadium, a stand has been named after McDermid.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Grove Atlantic via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of 1979 by Val McDermid for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

"A Year to Remember"

4.5 stars

1979 is a slow-burn mystery about two journalists who work together to expose corruption and a dangerous terrorist plot in 1979 Glasgow.

Two central characters unravel three major mysteries, Allie Burns and Danny Sullivan Allie, a young journalist who loves reading crime novels, quietly battles for relevance in a man’s world. The blatant sexism in the newsroom poses a challenge, but it's not one she backs down from. She partners with Danny Sullivan, a “wannabe” investigative journalist, to uncover a corruption plot, and the two become fast friends and partner again on another story. Their investigations lead them into danger and ultimately murder.

I loved both Allie’s and Danny’s characters. They both were complex and multidimensional. Allie’s voice caught my interest from the beginning--her character feels very real. Danny’s internal struggles and his desire for his parents to value him as much as his adopted brother got under my skin.

1979 moves at a snail's pace. Its focus is on the development of Allie and Danny. Both are introspective characters, and I appreciated both their perspectives. The mysteries of their investigations slowly unravel, resulting in some complex consequences.

McDermid herself was a journalist in 1979, and in this novel, she brings the newsroom to life. In 1979, she captures the atmospheric, dismal, and gray atmosphere of 1979 Scotland. Political strife, class struggles, sexism, and sexuality are some of the themes at the forefront of this novel. I know little of Scotland’s modern political history, and I learned much from reading this.

This took some effort to read, not because it was bad, but because I needed to be fully functioning in order to follow the threads of the plot. It was well worth the effort, as this intricately plotted character-driven mystery kept me riveted. Don’t skip the author’s note if you read this--McDermid includes the 70s soundtrack that she listened to while writing this. Some of the music makes its way into the novel.

I had decided not to start new series in 2021, but McDermid is an author I can never resist, and I have no regrets reading this. I look forward to meeting these characters again in the next decade.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Grove Atlantic in exchange for an honest review.

Val McDermid is one of my favorite crime writers. She is a pioneer in the crime fiction world, beginning with her Lindsay Gordon series. Lindsay was the first lesbian to feature in a mystery as protagonist. By the way, these titles have been reissued along with the author’s Kate Brannigan novels. And, of course, Ms. McDermid’s fans also follow Tony Hill and Carole Jordan as well as Karen Pirie in the novels featuring them.

Not one to rest on her laurels, now there is a new series. This one follows Allie Burns. Allie is a reporter on a Scottish daily at a time when women in the newsroom were few and rarely reported on anything other than women’s issues. Allie, though, is becoming a tough investigative reporter.

Two of the stories that Allie follows are the one with financial chicanery and tax evasion at its core, and a second that involves Scottish Nationalists who want to plan an IRA like bombing. Allie investigates both of these stories with fellow reporter Danny.

In my opinion this book starts a bit slowly but things speed up to be sure. What follows is a suspenseful and involving story with well sketched characters, settings and situations. McDermid started her career (after an Oxbridge education) at a local paper. She, presumably, uses this knowledge in creating Allie and the newsroom.

Fans of McDermid will be eager to read this title. I enjoyed this one and I look forward to additional titles in this new series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. I was very excited to read it. All opinions are my own.

Val McDermid is one of my favorite writers. So I jumped at the chance to read her latest. I thank Netgalley for that chance Of course my experience with her writing is limited to 3 mysteries in the same series (see reviews at https://www.jackreidy.com/blog/2020/10/05/still-life-by-val-mcdermid/).

This new series looked very different. The setting is a newspaper in 1979 rather than a police station and main characters are reporters rather than police officers so I was unsure of how would like it. But because it was written by Val McDermid, I thought it well-worth a try.

It was very different from the books I had previously read but it was very good. Two young reporters in Glasgow form a working partnership and investigate a tax evasion scheme.
The characters are well-written and there are many twists and turns along the way.

This appears to be the first installment in a new series of books featuring journalist Allie Burns. I look forward to reading the second. I highly recommend this book, particularly if you are a Val McDermid fan.

I love Val McDermid and loved this first in a new series even if it's somehow less gripping than other stories by this author.
Allie is a woman working in a men's world, in an age when investigative journalism wasn't considered a work for women.
She's a clever and well rounded characters, i liked her.
The plot is flows and the author delivers a story full of twists and turns.
Good character development, a vivid historical background.
A good depiction of what it was before social media and cellphone.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I really enjoyed this first book in a new series by one of my favorite authors. The story revolves around a young woman reporter back in 1979. Allie Burns struggles trying to make a name for herself in the boy's club that journalism was back in the day. Well written, complex and truly entertaining. I look forward to new books in the series.

There was so much I could relate to in Val McDermid’s 1979, the first in a new series featuring journalist Allie Burns, and it brought back such a rush of memories. She really brought the essence of the era alive, in all its turmoil, frenzy, fun and embarrassments. 1979 marked was the final year of my journalism degree, so the book had extra resonance; I could absolutely relate to Allie’s passion, her working environment and the whole cumbersome process of getting a newspaper to print. McDermid had these all down to a tee. I loved the fact that she listened to an old 70s music playlist while researching and writing this – thoroughly immersing herself in the era.
Allie works at The Clarion in Glasgow. A chance meeting with fellow journalist Danny Sullivan leads to them becoming good friends and working partners. Together they set out to investigate a couple of gritty stories, putting themselves at risk. I really liked both Allie and Danny, and adored Rona, the woman’s page editor. Yes, there was such a thing in those days! Loud, flamboyant Rona befriends Allie, teaching her the ropes and boosting her self-esteem.
I enjoyed the dive into the Scottish politics of the day (who knew the desire for independence loomed so large way back in 1979?) and the Scottish landscape, which McDermid does so well. The author also manages to throw in violence, misogyny, homophobia, dysfunctional family relationships and so much more. Beautifully written as always, 1979 is a great read.

This is a superb start to a brand new series from one of the best author's around today.

The plot was fast moving, full of twists to keep you guessing and cliff hangers to keep the pages turning. I was totally hooked. Be prepared to read late into the night.

Allie is a fascinating character full of insecurities but also a backbone of steel. I look forward to reading more about her.

A fantastic book that I won't hesitate to recommend to everyone.

I have been a huge fan of McDermid, whose crime novels are infused with Scottish atmospherics and twist around and around. This latest, however, is a bit different and fans should know, up front, that it's focused on financial crimes and the movement toward Scottish independence in 1979. Not murder. Allie Burns, a reporter who left Scotland and her roots for Cambridge, is back and working as a junior reporter for a Glasgow tabloid. Her friend Danny has discovered that his brother has been assisting high income individuals to evade the tax man; they team up to break the story. At the same time, Allie starts to track the SNP. This is most notable, I think, for the portrayal of a young woman journalist struggling to find her niche and her footing. She's an interesting character. Danny's hot story flagged for me - I found it hard to care about the scheme but I appreciated learning more about the politics of the day and the inclusion of LGBTQ issues. This is a slower and in some ways less rewarding read than I'd hoped. That said, no spoilers from me on how things turn out for everyone. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I'm looking forward to where Allie will go next.

In 1979, Val McDermid has begun a new series with an investigating journalist, Allie Burns, as the protagonist.

Val McDermid definitely needs no introduction, hailed as the Queen of crime, she establishes her moniker with panache in her latest release. 1979 is no explosive thriller where the readers get a whiplash trying to make sense of the twists and turns that are woven thru the story. In fact, the mystery element in the story as to the identity of the murderer comes in about after almost 60% of the book is done but even then the author magically captures the attention of the reader with her layered story-telling of corruption and danger.

It is not an easy time in history, where the harsh winter and economical changes have already crippled a nation, and having worked as a journalist during the same year, Val McDermid captures the era in such an accurate fashion that the reader is made to acknowledge every step taken by Allie. It is also a time when women are given only the grunge work and it is also a time when coming out of the closet about your sexual preferences can mean the end of the world.

Allie partnering with her colleague Danny has to work for the stories that they can claim, so when a whiff of corruption lands in Danny lap via a passing comment by his brother, Danny seeks out the help of Allie to polish the story and give it that extra zing thus giving it maximum impact upon publication. Allie then returns the favor by pulling in Danny to go undercover among a group of dissidents who wants to nudge the ruling government and make a stand.

It is hard to say which part of the story I loved the best, the writing by the author absolutely magnificent, the scenes where the dissenters actually hatch a plan evokes such pity coz it was easily one of the most fluid piece of the writing by the author. All of them are sitting in a pub and cribbing about being unable to do anything and before they know it, one says something, the other adds to the fuel and just like that a terrorist plot is born. And that is exactly how most of these plans come about, the discontent that breeds to some kind of action for which a heavy consequence has to be paid.

Val McDermid is at her best with 1979, Allie Burns a character I would love to follow thru all her investigations. If you are one who prefers a quick and gripping thriller, this may not work for you but for those of you who love solid and classical suspense stories, 1979 is a perfect choice.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Grove Atlantic, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

4.5 stars that I gladly rounded up to 5 as the ending left me wanting to read Book 2 in the Allie Burns Series.

It is 1979 and newspaper reporters Allie Burns and Danny Sullivan are on to what appears to be 2 of the biggest stories of their young career.

There is an element of danger and the book is so atmospheric I could hear the typewriter bells dinging and the carriage returning. You can almost smell the press room and the smoke in the office.

You could feel the cold from the blizzards and the danger in the air as Allie and Danny investigate

It was an interesting and dangerous time in Scotland as they were heading to a controversial vote.

I can't wait for Book 2 in the Allie Burns series and see how the characters develop. I will be first in line to get my copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic Atlantic Monthly Press for a mesmerizing read.

"Hailed as Britain's Queen of Crime, Val McDermid's award-winning, internationally bestselling novels have captivated readers for more than thirty years. Now, in 1979, she returns to the past with the story of Allie Burns, an investigative journalist whose stories lead her into world of corruption, terror, and murder.

It's only January, and the year 1979 has already brought blizzards, strikes, power cuts, and political unrest. For journalist Allie Burns, however, someone else's bad news is the unmistakable sound of opportunity knocking, an opportunity to get away from the "women's stories" her editors at the Scottish daily The Clarion keep assigning her. Striking up an alliance with budding investigative journalist Danny Sullivan, Allie begins covering international tax fraud, then a group of Scottish ultranationalists aiming to cause mayhem ahead of a referendum on breaking away from the United Kingdom. Their stories quickly get attention and create enemies for the two young up-and-comers. As they get closer to the bleeding edge of breaking news, Allie and Danny may find their lives on the line.

The first novel in a brand-new series for McDermid, 1979 is redolent of the thundering presses, hammering typewriters, and wreaths of smoke of The Clarion newsroom. An atmospheric journey into the past with much to say about the present, it is the latest suspenseful, pitch-perfect addition to Val McDermid's crime pantheon."

I think everyone right now needs an atmospheric journey into the past right?

Thanks for this ARC from NetGalley. 3 Stars
I am a big Val McDermid fan (loved all her Karen Pirie novels) and was excited to see this new book that is the start of a new series. In a slight departure this book follows an investigative reporter and turns more on historical fiction than a police procedural of a murder or cold case.
The story covers several months in year 1979 (thus the title) in Glasgow, Scotland during the run up to a controversial vote. I have to admit I wasn't always clear on what exactly the various sides were contesting. I know little of Scotland/British recent history so had to refer to Wiki in order to understand better the conflict that is the backstory of much of this book. I understood these were turbulent times in the area (especially in Ireland) but had not any knowledge of Scotland's similar problems.
This lack of knowledge drew me out of the story somewhat. Yet, McDermid did manage to keep me interested enough to keep reading. As usual she knows how to weave a plot. Allie and Daniel, the two investigative reporters we follow uncover illegal and dangerous conspiracies in their early days as a team. I was just not always sure of their methods. Does being on the "right" side give one license to use illegal methods? It was a thin line these reporters tread to get the answers they wanted. Also I found them acting more as police might than reporters.
So there were many times I wasn't so sure where McDermid meant to go with this story. Was it historical fiction, a thriller (not enough thrills), a mystery? I tried to waylay my own expectations of what I've come to expect in novels by this author and just get into the story.
The fact that the ARC i read did not have chapters made the reading experience somewhat difficult for me. Transition points and change of points of view were at times confusing. I wanted to like it more than I did.

1979 is a trip to the past in Val McDermid's most capable hands. It is a rather straight-forward mystery with a solution that is not difficult for the devoted mystery reader to suss out. But it evokes an air of authenticity - McDermid was a journalist before turning to writing mystery novels - that is not often found. Most McDermid fans will devour the book and readers new to the author may have their appetites whetted for more.

4⭐️
Allie Burns #1

Allie Burns is an investigative journalist working in Glasgow. A woman in very much a mans world.
She sets up an alliance with Danny Sullivan in an effort to escape the mundane fluff that she is usually given. Then things hot up and the danger levels ramp up for them.

I like the retro setting of the era. Interesting revisiting the politics of the era also the politics within publishing and the misogyny that Allie faced.
The characters are both believable as likeable and form a good alliance and friendship.
I found the pace too much on the slow side for me. The first half of the book is character development and back story, and setting up the plot. It is only in the later stages that the plot really takes off. But when it does it’s a cracker.

The readers are clearly pointed to the whodunits,the story focuses on Allie acquiring proof via her journalistic investigations. There are very few surprises, but we do get a a few oh no! moments.

There was too much detail included of the technicality of the press industry for me. Although good for people who want full immersion of the industry.
I really liked the way that Allie’s brain worked in her shocked state flitting between mundane irrelevant thoughts.

Favourite quote ‘one thing we know for sure is that everyone in a murder case lies. Sometimes innocent wee white lies, but sometimes big fat guilty ones.’

Its difficult for me to rate this one, as the story is really good, but the pace is just too slow to really hold my focus. The first half I’d rate at 3⭐️ the 2nd half at 4.5⭐️ overall I think I’m going with 4⭐️

It’s ideal for existing fans of the author, or the era, and anyone who enjoys a slow burn.

OK gals and guys, let’s buckle up and go for a ride in Mr. Peabody’s and Sherman’s Wayback Machine to that crazy year that was just around the corner, 1979. Scottish Author Val McDermid does just that in her stirring new novel aptly titled #1979, where the craziness is in remembering a time where daily life existed without The Internet. What a difference 42 years makes and not all for the good. The setting is Glasgow where our protagonist, Allie Burns, who has just finished Cambridge Schooling and a 5 year journalism internship, is starting her newspaper career at The Clarion and hopefully a long string of award winning bylines. Joining forces with Danny Sullivan, another Clarion Newbie,,they’re off on two major investigative stories, stories that will throw their lives into chaos and terror. You get the gist. What’s memorable here is how well Ms.McDermid tells the real story - how daily life has so drastically evolved since 1979. We must remember that this was a time before mobile phones, 24 hour news cycles, and social media. To today’s children such a time would seem primitive, yet the existence of any of those three things would negate the essential plot of #1979 : do anything to bring in the story and get the byline. We’ve gone from a time where everyone reads the news to a time where everyone wants a hand in creating the news. In 2021 EVERYBODY IS A JOURNALIST ! If we don’t pay attention to books like #1979, there may be nothing left to pay attention to.

1979 is a literal step back in time.

It examines the role of the press in late 1970s Scotland and is a mystery, suspense, thriller from Val McDermid. It's the first book about Allie Burns, a young journalist struggling to find a place as a journalist at the Clarion, a newspaper where she is one of the few women employees.

Allie and Danny are colleagues at the paper who initially find themselves delivering a baby on a train in a snowstorm. The media attention following gives a brief insight into the happenings and sentiments at the time, with Allie writing the story, for fear Danny will not be taken seriously by the journalistic heavies if they were to find out he was the one involved. It also becomes clear the pair get along well but also work well together.

Danny brings Allie into a story he has been chasing down which involves one of his family members. There's some outfall as a result, but the story makes big news and the pair are the toast of the paper. Allie returns the favour and it is this story that forms the remainder of the book, the investigation and the outcomes.

Allie is a great character for any time. She's bright, fearless, and a somewhat naive young character. She has so much room for growth and experience and it was such a pleasure to read about her. She's the great foundation for a new series. 1979 looks at feminism, devolution, the weight of family expectations, sexuality, identity and misogyny with a 1970s lens.

I think there may be comments about the pacing of the book early on, but for me it built a solid foundation for future books. What a great period to write about.

Thank you to Hachette Australia and Netgalley for this eARC of this book. I was also fortunate to be apart of the Tandem Collective Global readalong so received a hard copy as well. I'm looking forward to the next Allie Burns.

I enjoy Val McDermid’s novels, especially her Inspector Karen Pirie series. Known for her crime fiction, this time she approaches it from the world of Scottish journalism in 1979. McDermid creates a good sense of time and place with colorful, interesting characters. The plot is solid and the tension builds throughout the story.

This is tagged as Allie Burns #1, so I look forward to the next one in this new series and seeing Allie grow as an investigative journalist

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Val McDermid, Grove Atlantic, and Atlantic Monthly Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Whenever I see a piece by Val McDermid, I know it will be a rollercoaster ride through the world of thrills and mystery. This series debut was no exception, as McDermid not only introduces the reader to a gritty investigative journalist, but takes things back to a time before the technological breakthrough made journalism a 24/7 reporting game. Allie Burns is a well-balanced journalist, but has come to realise that working in Scotland in the late 1970s is not as easy as she would have hoped. It’s 1979 and she’s stuck writing about issues that are important to women, rather than getting bloody in the real issues of the day. When Allie meets fellow reporter, Danny Sullivan, they decide to take Glasgow by storm. Their work reveals some real winners, including a tax fraud scheme that is sure to rock the country. However, it is a political piece that could really make a difference, while putting them both in the crosshairs of some troublesome individuals. Allie soon faces a significant setback, but is determined not to let this derail her passion or gritty personality. An intriguing start to a new series for Val McDermid.

Allie Burns had hoped that 1979 would allow her to get off on the right foot, but things were not looking too great. The year started with a massive blizzard and she was tasked with reporting it, as well as sundry other ‘light’ stories that her editor thought she might be able to handle. As an investigative journalist, Allie Burns had hoped to uncover the major stories in and around Glasgow, but she was relegated to the fluff, things that ‘women would want to read about’.

Danny Sullivan had issues of his own in 1979, but it was not a lack of action. Rather, he’d uncovered a major tax fraud scheme taking place, where businessmen could siphon off their money and invest it in an offshore bank on the other side of the world. What’s worse, Danny’s own brother was in the thick of it, making the story all the more delicate. Slow and steady, he told himself, all in the hopes of making the headline and earning a decent byline.

When Allie and Danny began working together, they proved to be unstoppable. Both full of grit and determination, the pair were able to turn up every stone and get to the heart of the matter, impressing editors and readers alike. While they worked on the tax story, news arose about something else in the lead up to the Scottish Referendum on Devolution. Danny made inroads with a group who sought to turn up the heat and bring a little violence to help things along.

Sitting on the story, both Danny and Allie knew they’d need to take action if there was any chance of catching the exclusive. Danny worked from the inside, befriending the group and discovering their ties to the IRA, while Allie used her superior writing skills to pen the story they’d present for publication. It was around this time that Allie learned another secret that Danny had been keeping, one that could really cause him grief. However, this was one story that Allie vowed to keep under her hat.

When the stories broke and the accolades came tumbling in, Allie set about to celebrate with Danny, only to discover that he’d been murdered in his flat. Who could have done such a thing and for what reason? While Allie was well aware that they had both made many enemies, she could not surmise who would want to take such drastic action. Donning her investigative hat, this was one story she’d have to write alone, fuelled by the need for answers and a truth that was hiding in the shadows. McDermid does well with this piece, keeping the reader hooked until the final page turn.

While I have long enjoyed the work of Val McDermid, I am usually arriving well after the series has started and playing catch-up. It was nice to get an early peek at this series and see that it is sure to pack quite a punch for the reader and anyone else who takes the time to enjoy it. McDermid has done well to develop the series and keep the reader on their toes throughout. I have high hopes for this novel and the series that is to come.

Allie Burns plays a strong protagonist throughout, though she dies share the limelight for most of the novel with Danny Sullivan. Both have great backstories and find the time to develop throughout this piece. Their connection is primarily with work, but there are personal moments that show a deeper and more meaningful linkage. Complemented by others who grace the pages of the book, McDermid adds characters who matter and whose placement provides a flavour for the narrative that keeps the story on track.

While there are many angles a thriller can take to deliver on crime and confrontation, McDemid always seems able to find a new approach. Readers can revel in that and find something that they can take away for themselves, finding a degree of excitement. The narrative flowed well throughout, keeping the story moving in a forward direction. Characters kept the piece exciting and intriguing, not least because of their Scottish slang that was peppered throughout. McDermid puts Scotland front and centre throughout, providing a treat for those who are not from the region. I quite enjoyed the grittiness that emerged as the story developed and cannot wait to see how Allie Burns will emerge into the 1980s, scarred but not broken.

Kudos, Madam McDermid, for another winner. You always seem to find a way to impress me with your writing.

You can always rely on Val McDermid to write an excellent thriller. The Queen of Crime is a title well deserved. As someone who remembers 1979 all the references were spot on. The settling was atmospheric and the story engrossing. For me it fell slightly short of my beloved Tony Hill/Carol Jordan and Karen Pirie series but it certainly has the potential to keep us engrossed for many more books hopefully to come featuring Allie Burns.