The Cost by Morgan Cry
One man’s race against time to track down a deadly narcotic before it hits the streets of the seaside hometown he thought he’d never return to. The first in a new Tartan Noir mystery series by Bloody Scotland co-founder Gordon Brown writing as Morgan Cry.
Disgraced, demoralised and recently retired Glasgow police constable Blake Glover returns to his childhood home of Fraserburgh on the north-east shoulder of Scotland. While driving a taxi to occupy himself and contemplate his future he is asked to discreetly investigate the disappearance of a young woman.
Blake reluctantly agrees to help and stumbles upon a mysterious stately home which appears to be involved in smuggling people from around the world for a highly addictive and deadly narcotic.
The more Blake investigates the more he uncovers a massive plot involving money, blackmail, drugs and murder. With the fear that the narcotic will make it onto the streets of his hometown, Blake must track down the drugs before time runs out or watch people he cares about meet a gruesome end.
Fans of VAL McDERMID, IAN RANKIN, DENISE MINA and WILLIAM McILVANNEY shouldn’t miss this intricately plotted, clever and suspenseful series debut by Scottish crime writer Morgan Cry.
About the Author
Gordon Brown, also writing as Morgan Cry, has eleven crime and thriller books published to date, along with a novella and a number of short stories.
Gordon is a founding director of Bloody Scotland, Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival, a DJ on local radio (www.pulseonair.co.uk) and also runs a strategic planning consultancy. He lives in Scotland (and when Brexit rules allow, Spain) and is married with two children - who have long since flown the nest (the children that is).
In a former life Gordon delivered pizzas in Toronto, sold non-alcoholic beer in the Middle East, launched a creativity training business, floated a high tech company on the London Stock Exchange, compered the main stage at a two-day music festival and was once booed by 49,000 people while on the pitch at a major football Cup Final.
Review
‘The Cost’ is the start of a new series from Morgan Cry, aka Gordon Brown, set in Fraserburgh. I loved Gordon’s previous books, so I was looking forward to picking this one up, and it did not disappoint. It manages to pull you in instantly, and I was riveted until the final page. It has a great sense of location, is packed full of characters you can’t help but love, and has a brilliant storyline to boot!
Blake Glover has returned to the town of his birth, Fraserburgh. He is an ex-copper and has left the force under a bit of a cloud. The only job he could get is working for a local taxi firm, owned by the fabulous Doddy and Doddy’s girlfriend, Conn. One of his first fares is Mrs Lang, a neighbour from when he used to live in the town as a child. When she alludes to knowing something about his mother, Blake is intrigued, but she will only tell him if he helps out her granddaughter, Terry. A young Polish woman has disappeared from their workplace and wants Blake to look into it. Despite all his protests about not wanting to get involved, he can’t quite help himself. Soon, he is deeply embroiled in the search for answers, which could have severe repercussions.
I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, especially Blake and Mrs Lang. Blake is a troubled soul and is still reeling from the reason he left the force in Glasgow and the relocation back to Fraserburgh. He is trying to prove to himself that he is ‘good’, despite there being some dodgy moments in his past.. This has not been helped by reconnecting with an old school friend who has certainly changed a lot since their childhood.
This was a highly enjoyable read that manages to deftly weave the narrative so you are left guessing throughout. Despite the story becoming quite dark in nature, there is a sense of humour and lightness to the prose. I always knew that Gordon was a good writer, but this book has cemented this belief. I instantly fell in love with this world, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!
