The April Dead by Alan Parks
NO ONE WILL FORGET . . .
In a grimy flat in Glasgow, a homemade bomb explodes, leaving few remains to identify its maker.
Detective Harry McCoy knows in his gut that there’ll be more to follow. The hunt for a missing sailor from the local US naval base leads him to the secretive group behind the bomb, and their disturbing, dominating leader.
On top of that, McCoy thinks he’s doing an old friend a favour when he passes on a warning, but instead he’s pulled into a vicious gang feud. And in the meantime, there’s word another bigger explosion is coming Glasgow’s way – so if the city is to survive, it’ll take everything McCoy’s got . . .
About the author.
Alan Parks has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. His debut novel Bloody January was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He lives and works in Glasgow.
Review.
Another blistering outing in the McCoy series! ‘The April Dead’ was compelling from start to finish, with its gritty realism, captivating narrative and flawed protagonist it is bound to fly off the shelves. This is the 4th book in the series and although this can be read as a standalone I think it's wise to read the proceeding books to get a handle on the continuing storylines.
This time McCoy finds himself involved in a bombing in the Woodlands area of Glasgow. But who would target there - it's all student flats! If like Harry you are slightly squeamish then I'm sorry but some of the images might haunt you as they did me? There isn't a lot left to help identify who was killed by the bomb. Were they targeted or are they the bomb maker themselves? It doesn't come across as being related to the Troubles in Ireland so what is happening?! On top of that on a night out in Greenock to wet the head of Wattie’s new baby, Harry ends up agreeing to help this American whose son has gone AWOL from the local US Naval base at Holy Town. And if that isn't enough that Cooper is definitely up to something and that is never good!
The storylines packed a punch and I particularly enjoyed the one of the missing son and how this ends up relating to the bombing in Glasgow. As you learn more about the group behind the bombing it's clear that this is a very dangerous collective indeed. It reminded me slightly of Damien Barr’s latest book ‘You Will Be Safe Here’ - a section of it anyway. Once again we find a Glasgow that is full of ‘hard’ men and women but is McCoy finally starting to realise that he needs to stop toeing the line between being one of them or become a straight copper. His relationship with Cooper is becoming more volatile, particularly with the case that Wattie has picked up - his first as SIO.
This series is a triumph - it's a celebration of Glasgow in a way as although it portrays a realistic and rightly grim version of my city in the 1970s there is still the friendliness there. Its characters are flawed yet human. It's just utterly compelling. I can't believe I am going to have to wait for ages until the next instalment comes out!
