by Alan Parks
Detective Harry McCoy, 30, of the Glasgow Police Force has the misfortune to be chosen by an inmate of the notorious Barlinnie Prison to be told a secret: a girl named Lorna will be murdered the following day if he doesn’t stop it.
And the prediction comes to pass: As the police wait at the bus station for a waitress named Lorna Skirving to pass through on her way to work, a young man named Tom Malone shoots her and then turns the gun on himself. Body count: two.
Before McCoy can get back to the convict, Howie Nairn, to find out how he knew the shooting would happen, Nairn is killed in the shower at Barlinnie. Body count: three.
By the end of the first week of January 1973, six people will be dead.
For McCoy, all clues lead to Lord Dunlop, a prince of society, wealthy businessman, a mover and shaker. Malone worked for him. McCoy has his own issues with Dunlop: his beautiful ex-wife Angela hangs out in Dunlop’s circles. Rumors abound that Dunlop and his son are fond of drug-fueled sex parties that can be injurious to a girl’s well-being.
McCoy is a classic noir detective: alcoholic; blunt as a battering ram; saved from a career as a criminal by a foster father who steered him to the police. Even so, he has a childhood friend who has grown into sadistic, sociopathic crime boss. McCoy is a little bent but not quite crooked. He’s cruising the road to self-destruction at a fast pace.
Just as classic is the plot of BLOODY JANUARY. McCoy is too head-on to get the evidence to convict Dunlop. His superiors in the police force are too political to allow him to become a threat to such a well-positioned and powerful man.When an organization refuses its sworn duty and protects the powerful instead of the helpless, corruption festers.
Like a gladiator, McCoy finds a way to bring justice without the support of his colleagues in blue.
The sequels to BLOODY JANUARY are:
- FEBRUARY’S SON
- BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER
If noir crime set in moody Scotland is your cup of tea, check out these suggestions of similar books in the post Tartan Noir.
About the Author: Alan Parks
Author Alan Parks attended the University of Glasgow, where he earned a master’s degree in moral philosophy.
He has spent most of his professional life in the music industry. From cover artwork to videos to photo sessions, he created campaigns for a wide range of artists including All Saints, New Order, The Streets, Gnarls Barkley and CeeLo Green. He was also Managing Director of 679 Recordings.
