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coffeecurls's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars from me
This is a great, gritty, atmospheric thriller with an air of 'Life on Mars' about it owing to the timeframe of 1969. The sexism and outdated viewpoints are captured beautifully, as is the impact of and resentment towards DI McCormack when he is drafted in to find fault in the original investigative team.
The story of 'The Quaker' is really quite dark and frightening, it's a wonder any women ever left home during this time, let alone went to the dance halls where he was known to prey.
I loved DI Duncan McCormack, he was a well rounded character to get to know - as was Goldie - and he holds a strong line throughout the book. There are also some great little sub plots and the time and detail taken on them is admirable and really added to the quality and craftsmanship that shines out from the pages.
The reason I have given 4 stars rather than the 5 that the quality of this story deserves is because for all the brilliance, there are regularly patches where the story lags and becomes slow. Possibly it is a writing pattern/style that I am just not familiar enough with but for me it let the book down.
Having said that, I enjoyed meeting DI Duncan McCormack and would certainly go out of my way to pick up book 2 as I look forward to reading more about him and how his future unfolds.
Synopsis: Glasgow, 1969. In the grip of the worst winter for years, the city is brought to its knees by a killer whose name fills the streets with fear: The Quaker. He’s taken his next victim — the third woman from the same nightclub — and dumped her in the street like rubbish. The police are left chasing a ghost, with no new leads and no hope of catching their prey. After six months, DI Duncan McCormack, a talented young detective from the Highlands, is ordered to join the investigation — with a view to shutting it down for good.
His arrival is met with anger from a group of officers on the brink of despair. Soon he learns just how difficult life can be for an outsider, for McCormack is an outcast in more ways than one. When another woman is found murdered in a tenement flat, it’s clear the case is by no means over. From ruined backstreets to the dark heart of Glasgow, McCormack follows a trail of secrets that will change the city — and his life — forever . . .
Brilliantly crafted with great depth and nuance, The Quaker is an electrifying thriller that expertly captures the gritty atmosphere of paranoia and hopelessness in a city on the verge of a great upheaval.
This is a great, gritty, atmospheric thriller with an air of 'Life on Mars' about it owing to the timeframe of 1969. The sexism and outdated viewpoints are captured beautifully, as is the impact of and resentment towards DI McCormack when he is drafted in to find fault in the original investigative team.
The story of 'The Quaker' is really quite dark and frightening, it's a wonder any women ever left home during this time, let alone went to the dance halls where he was known to prey.
I loved DI Duncan McCormack, he was a well rounded character to get to know - as was Goldie - and he holds a strong line throughout the book. There are also some great little sub plots and the time and detail taken on them is admirable and really added to the quality and craftsmanship that shines out from the pages.
The reason I have given 4 stars rather than the 5 that the quality of this story deserves is because for all the brilliance, there are regularly patches where the story lags and becomes slow. Possibly it is a writing pattern/style that I am just not familiar enough with but for me it let the book down.
Having said that, I enjoyed meeting DI Duncan McCormack and would certainly go out of my way to pick up book 2 as I look forward to reading more about him and how his future unfolds.
Synopsis: Glasgow, 1969. In the grip of the worst winter for years, the city is brought to its knees by a killer whose name fills the streets with fear: The Quaker. He’s taken his next victim — the third woman from the same nightclub — and dumped her in the street like rubbish. The police are left chasing a ghost, with no new leads and no hope of catching their prey. After six months, DI Duncan McCormack, a talented young detective from the Highlands, is ordered to join the investigation — with a view to shutting it down for good.
His arrival is met with anger from a group of officers on the brink of despair. Soon he learns just how difficult life can be for an outsider, for McCormack is an outcast in more ways than one. When another woman is found murdered in a tenement flat, it’s clear the case is by no means over. From ruined backstreets to the dark heart of Glasgow, McCormack follows a trail of secrets that will change the city — and his life — forever . . .
Brilliantly crafted with great depth and nuance, The Quaker is an electrifying thriller that expertly captures the gritty atmosphere of paranoia and hopelessness in a city on the verge of a great upheaval.
hpnyknits's review against another edition
4.0
This book started with strange whining about police territorial wars, and I found it so tedious. However the book picked up speed and the complexities of the beginning made sense in the end. I found the main character very interesting, and sorry we have to wait for book 2.
The audiobook narrator was excellent.
The audiobook narrator was excellent.
dr_dick's review against another edition
5.0
well, i'm impressed, particularly for a debut novel. great story, lots of twists and turns, and no padding. terrific writing too. i look forward to lots more from Mr McIlvanney.
kallsie's review against another edition
4.0
I'd rate this somewhere between a 3 and 4 if I could. Enjoyable, but not quiet great.
A subtle, almost literary in quality, mystery novel, in 1969 Scotland.
A subtle, almost literary in quality, mystery novel, in 1969 Scotland.
Spoiler
I don't if this is necessarily a spoiler, but I was kind of confused as to why Alex Paton's chapters disappear as soon as be is arrested and Duncan begins his work to prove him innocent of the Quaker's crimes. To me, if we are going to alternate the narration between the two (Duncan and Alex) for the majority of the novel, it is odd that it didn't continue this pattern to the end.jiayuanc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
I had a really fun time with this one; following along with the audiobook was a grand time, especially being able to hear the native accents from the wonderful narrator. I will definitely continue reading this series, DI McCormack is a great character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Murder
Minor: Homophobia
dr_oligo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lambsears's review against another edition
4.0
Winner of this year's McIlvanney Award, the Scottish crime writers literary prize, The Quaker does not disappoint in any way.
It has a compelling story line, with just enough twists to keep you guessing, but not so many as to annoy, well-developed characters and great writing - it really fulfills the total literary crime readers wishlist.
I'll be looking forward to more from Liam McIlvanney.
It has a compelling story line, with just enough twists to keep you guessing, but not so many as to annoy, well-developed characters and great writing - it really fulfills the total literary crime readers wishlist.
I'll be looking forward to more from Liam McIlvanney.
glorifiedloveletters's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really liked this noir. The ending risks being overcomplicated, but McIlvanney pulls off having so many moving parts. It feels somewhat unfair to compare him to his father's writing, but having so recently read LAIDLAW — and the fact that my edition of the book said 'Winner 2018 McIlvanney Prize' on the cover — I suppose it's inevitable. I will say I did not have the same "Damn, now that's a sentence" feelings here, but the writing is enjoyably direct, moody, and full of great details. I'll have to track down the next one in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Racism
I really liked this noir. The ending risks being overcomplicated, but McIlvanney pulls off having so many moving parts. It feels somewhat unfair to compare him to his father's writing, but having so recently read LAIDLAW — and the fact that my edition of the book said 'Winner 2018 McIlvanney Prize' on the cover — I suppose it's inevitable. I will say I did not have the same "Damn, now that's a sentence" feelings here, but the writing is enjoyably direct, moody, and full of great details. He also gives space to the lives of the women affected, which is not something one always sees in this genre, as low as that bar is. I'll have to track down the next one in the series.annettefunnycello's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating, complex story, skillfully woven by an author new to me - I look forward to reading more from McIlvanney.