Gritty! Explosive! Endearing!

Glasgow 1933. Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner “Bonnie” Archie McDaid, part of the Glasgow’s Special Crime Squad, find themselves in the middle of a situation with Irish Free State fighters, the razor gangs suddenly meeting together, Special Branch up from London messing on their patch, and three murders, or rather assassinations. The only visible link between the deaths being the method of executions.
When Dreghorn and McDaird find the reasons behind the murders it’s explosive. All men were ex-Black and Tan operatives in Ireland at a place called Tralee, all men left under a cloud. Payback maybe? For what specifically?
The Special Crime Squad are told in no uncertain terms to stay out of the way of Special Branch operatives.
The trouble is things keep linking back to the Irish and the selling of illegal Irish Hospital Sweepstake tickets taking place. The gangs are offloading the tickets which everyone wants. Why Jimmy’s own mother’s given him an illegal sweepstakes ticket as a present!
It’s when an explosion takes place in the tenements on Vulcan Street injuring bairns and women that Jimmy and Archie see red.
Jimmy Dreghorn, ex-army (who wasn’t at that time?), ex-police in Shanghai, ex-boxer finds himself confronting memories of the past, a woman from his childhood, and ghosts. Achingly evident when Jimmy takes items out of his trunk in his bedroom.
One man’s freedom fighter is another’s terrorist. Lines become blurred. When young WPC Ellen Duncan becomes injured whilst firstly fighting of the unwelcome attentions of Inspector Boyd Strachan, then an assassin intent on killing Strachan, all bets are off as are as Jimmy and Archie are concerned, as are the gloves.
The grounds thick with action, motives and situations!
Another dynamite of a police historical thriller from Robbie Morrison, no pun intended!

A Random House-Ballantine ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )

Scottish-noir, maps, Glasgow, historical-fiction, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, thriller, due-diligence, investigations, violence, violent-crimes, unputdownable, triggers, crime-fiction, suspense, law-enforcement, procedural, PTSD, espionage, misogyny, murders, international-crimes, international-espionage, international-tensions, gangs*****

The years between the wars was a brutal time in every country with problems that were almost universal in policing. Detective Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn and Sergeant Archibald McDaid were working in Glasgow Scotland with a stark look into the world of criminal behaviors and political extremism worthy of calling on the Special Branch.

I requested and received an EARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam via NetGalley.
#JimmyDreghornMysteriesBk2 **Pub Date 09 Apr 2024 #ScottishNoir #HistoricalPolicing ( )

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy

In 1930s Glasgow, the depression has a tight hold on everyone. Detective Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn and Sergeant Archibald McDaid capture thief Dixie White, but soon find themselves investigating the murder of Rex Smith aboard the “Blue Bonnet,” his narrowboat.

Their investigation raises questions . . . is the execution tied to the festering political tensions or the IRA? Or could it be gang violence? Before they have an answer to those questions, they have another murder identical in its execution.

Could there be some connection between the two executions?

As Dreghorn and McDaid investigate, they find more questions than answers. And then their investigation collides with that of the Special Branch . . . .

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Set in 1930s Glasgow, Scotland, this book is the second in the author’s Jimmy Dreghorn Mystery series. With sufficient backstory, this book works well as a standalone for readers new to the series.

Anchored by a strong sense of place, the history of the time weaves itself throughout the telling of this gritty yet compelling tale. Unexpected plot twists keep readers guessing as the intriguing narrative offers readers some unforeseen surprises.

The characters, especially Dreghorn and McDaid, are nuanced and believable. The characters’ interactions are realistic; sometimes charming, sometimes amusing. The only downside here is the unnecessary overuse of an offensive expletive; this lowers the rating for the book.

Readers who enjoy historical mysteries and police procedurals are sure to enjoy this tale of corruption, murder, and mayhem.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#CastaColdEye #NetGalley ( )

Glasgow 1933 and life is hard during the Depression as people struggle to survive. Armed gangs evade the police but when a man is found shot in an execution-style, this is something else. Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner Archie McDaid are well-known amongst the criminal fraternity and they are determined to get to the bottom of this crime. Meanwhile an IRA cell is at large, on the face of to sort out an issue with Lottery tickets but, with the theft of a load of explosives, there may be a bigger issue. Then the Special Branch turn up...
I hadn't read Morrison's first novel so it took a while to pick up the characters however that didn't stop me getting hooked on the action. This is a beautifully drawn period piece, set in the early 1930s during the Depression but with the plot based on the independence fighting in Ireland of the 1920s. the story is really convincing, the characters well-rounded and the narrative fast-paced. It's a terrific read. ( )