Bastard Verdict

by James McCrone

YOU DON'T NEED TO WIN, JUST DON'T LOSE

In politics, people cheat to win, or because they're afraid to lose. Which isn't always the same thing. A second referendum on Scottish Independence looms, an unlikely investigator uncovers meddling in the first, and desperate conspirators panic, with deadly results. Bastard Verdict weaves high stakes, low politics, and complex characters into a noir tale of power, loss and Faustian bargains.

When a Scottish government official enlists FBI Elections Specialist, Imogen Trager (on research leave at the University of Glasgow) in the fall of 2023 to look into the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum—ostensibly as a means of ensuring that a possible second referendum will be conducted fairly—he claims that he wants an outsider’s unencumbered view.

The government official may not be what he seems, and the trail Imogen follows becomes twisted and deadly, leading to a corrupt cabal intent on holding on to power.

But they didn’t count on Imogen, a feisty, conflicted and driven investigator who goes strictly by the numbers, if rarely by the book. To find the truth, Imogen will risk everything—her reputation, career, and possibly her life. None but a very few know that truth. And those few need it to stay hidden. At any cost.

293 pages, Paperback

Published May 18, 2023

About the author

James McCrone’s stories pose questions about the nature of power, the choices we make and the lessons we don’t learn. He’s the author of the thriller trilogy Faithless Elector, Dark Network and Emergency Powers, about stealing the presidency and setting up a puppet government; and Bastard Verdict, where a looming second referendum on Scottish Independence threatens to expose irregularities in the first.

He’s the current president of the Delaware Valley Sisters in Crime chapter, a member of Mystery Writers of America, and the Int’l Assoc. of Crime Writers. He lives in Philadelphia.

A Pacific Northwest native (mostly), he now makes his home in South Philadelphia with his wife and three children.

Reviews

[Amy Reade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imogen Trager is an FBI agent who got into some trouble with the bureau in her last adventure, so now she's on a leave of absence, working at a university in Scotland as a visiting scholar. Her plan is to do the research she came to Scotland to do, keep her head down, and stay out of (more) trouble.

But if that happened, we wouldn't have this great thriller to read.

So when Imogen is asked by a government official to look into possible malfeasance during the referendum, she takes the chance that her career will be intact at the end of the investigation, which is a million miles outside her jurisdiction.

What Imogen finds is a conspiracy that has tentacles in the highest echelons of government. There are people who will stop at nothing to make sure she doesn't go public with the information she's uncovered, and she's not sure who she can trust.

I love the setting of this book. Most of it takes place on the gritty, working-class streets of Glasgow and Dundee. The Scottish cold and rain play a role in making the atmosphere almost tactile, and the building descriptions are spot-on if you are at all familiar with Glasgow and/or Dundee. The dialect the author uses lends a layer of richness to this novel, too. The way the Scottish characters speak is real and adds to the feeling of being close to the action.

I like Imogen because she's a calculated risk-taker, but acts decisively once she's determined her best course of action. She's also imperfect, with a great backstory that includes personal loss, job troubles, and lingering doubts from her previous job-related undertakings.

What's most obvious is that the author knows his stuff. He's clearly done a deep dive into Scottish and UK politics and election/referendum policy and procedure. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good political thriller. Especially in light of world events over the past several years, this book is especially timely.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is a deep dive into the politics of Scotland, especially around the issue of independence, separating from England. It highlights the desperate actions powerful people will take to protect their governmental position and hide nefarious acts. I did find it a bit hard to understand all of the government agencies and positions of authority in the novel as I am not familiar with Scotland's governing system and political hierarchy.

McCrone does a fine job of presenting the vernacular of the various areas where action takes place. That did slow down my reading a bit but I appreciated the local dialects. There was also the difficulty of terms. I had to look up the meaning of busker, for example. But these fellows were thugs rather than musicians on a street corner. Also, there was no Author's Note in the galley I read to clarify the historical and fictional elements of the novel.

McCrone has woven a good plot introducing us to election fraud in a European country. Imogen remains a good heroine as she tries to outsmart powerful people in high places to reveal the illegal activities. This is a good novel for readers who like deep immersion into a country's dirty politics, a bungled cover-up, a pervasive culture and an exciting conclusion. I hope Imogen has further adventures in store.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Bastard Verdict’ is a brilliant political thriller which examines the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum vote and whether there was nefarious practices going on! I loved how current this book was with references to where we are with the potential second referendum and even mentions of the late Queen. It makes for an relevant and authentic read. As a huge advocate for independence this book was practically written for me!

Imogen Trager is an FBI Elections specialist who is on study leave at the University of Glasgow. She is asked to look at the 2014 result of the Independence referendum to make sure that everything was done to the right practices. With a looming hopeful second vote the Scottish government wants to make sure that this one runs smoothly. But she soon is aware that the handsome government official might not be what he seems and it also looks like there might be a clean-up operation in place as people start dying! Imogen searches for the truth and she isn't one to give up even if it will end up costing her everything.

I totally fell for Imogen as she is feisty, brave, loyal and determined to get to the truth! This is the first book by James that I have read but I will now be going back to read the ones set in the US as I need to know more about Imogen and her background. I think it was a stroke of genius to use her as the main protagonist for such a Scottish issue as it means she is completely neutral and just looking for the truth.

The story is based on quite a few factual issues which has been brought up since the 2014 vote, like the dip of voters in Glasgow and Dundee, why the ‘Yes’ campaign lost 10 points compared to opinion polls and why there was no exit polls. This gave it such an authentic feel by pulling on these threads. But you don't have to be well-read on the political situation to read this book as the author presents everything so plainly and intelligently that you grasp it instantly. Obviously, to make this a thriller there has to be some movement away from the truth but I loved reading about a topic that I am very passionate about.

Let me know if you pick this one up

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bastard Verdict can be the outcome of a Scottish trial. It means that the judge or jury thinks the defendant committed the crime but the prosecution didn’t present their case in a way that convinced the judge or jury of the defendants guilt. This is also the way some people in the Scottish government feel about the 2014 vote for Scottish independence. They know in their hearts that something affected the 2014 vote but they can’t prove it.
Imogene Trager, a US FBI elections specialist, is on a one year leave in Scotland when she is asked to look into the 2014 vote. She has to the careful because as much as some people want to find out the truth, others want it to stay hidden.
Bastard Verdict is the author’s debut in this genre. It is told in multiple POV so the reader gets to see both sides of the vote. One of my favorite parts was the authentic Scottish language used in the book. It made me feel as if I was in Scotland listening to the characters speak. I love the title for this book and can think of many cases where a judge or jury would return this verdict at a trial. The idea that the 2014 vote was tampered with is up to Imogene to investigate. The author does a great job of giving the reader information from the multiple POV at just the right time. If you love conspiracy theory books involving the highest level of government you will enjoy this book. The lengths that both sides are willing to go to to keep their version of the 2014 vote as the ‘true’ version will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI Agent, Imogene Trager is kind of a disgraced agent, sent to Glasgow to be a visiting scholar at University of Glasgow. She is supposed to stay out of trouble and do no investigating but when Francis McDougal feels that the 2014 referendum was stolen by the opposition, and this stirs something in Imogene. She is excited to investigate his claims.

She also meets Ian Ross, who is chief of staff for the First Minister who is the head of the Scottish Government. He virtually says the same thing as Frankie and feels that Imogene would be the best one to investigate.

Things happen pretty quickly, Frankie is found murdered and his body dumped in a seedy part of town, then his friend, who kept secrets from the election and other proof that the election was stolen is found by his wife, hanging in his study. A note is all the proof the police need to declare it a suicide. His wife and lawyer are not so sure. The lawyer knows that the victim had a lot of boxes with proof in them but they are now gone.

Imogene in her investigation finds that she is in danger, the closer she gets to the truth the more she has to fear. Those in the coverup, have hired thugs to quiet her and anyone else involved, especially if there is going to be a second referendum.

I love these kinds of stories, feels like it could really be happening not only in Scotland but it is reminiscent of the US previous elections. If you are looking for a psychologic thriller with all sorts of characters, good and bad, then get a copy of Bastard Verdict by James McCrone!

I give it 5 stars!


I received a copy of the book for review purposes only

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bastard Verdict by James McCrone.
A second referendum on independence looms, and a Scottish official enlists elections specialist Imogen Trager, a by-the-numbers, if rarely by-the-book investigator, to look into irregularities in the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum. Imogen uncovers a trail of criminal self-dealing, cover-ups, and murder leading to the highest levels of power. None but a very few know the truth. And those few need it to stay hidden at any cost. Imogen will risk what's left of her standing, her career--and maybe her life--to get at the truth.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked Imogen as she didn't stop until she got the truth. Lots of action. Also a new author for me. 5*.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bastard Verdict is an explosive political thriller. The author has created so many characters to narrate the book and a lot of things happens in book. It has sub-plots. It is fiery and the tension grows in book. The protagonist is trying to uncover the truth of politics hidden deeds and the buried truth of referendum.

The Scottish referendum has been stolen, now before the second referendum is granted, the question is about the Scotland being an independent nation and it must be conducted fairly. Imogen Trager, the FBI Agent has been mired in truth of criminal self dealing and she is getting close to the murder leading to highest level of power. But uncovering the truth and thorough investigation has put her life at stake. So there is an involvement of powerful people, politics, dirty deeds, criminal dealings and truth is more twisted than it seems to be.

I must say the author has done a thorough research before writing this insightful, intriguing and explosive political thriller.

[John Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bastard Verdict is a terrific tale where the principle characters are brought into focus by many well-observed details. Though I have not read the previous books in the series, I quickly found that the American FBI agent Imogen Trager was a compelling character. She starts examining issues around the troubled 2014 Referendum on Scottish Independence and navigating the Scottish landscape, it’s dialects and expressions. When a friend turns up dead, her visit becomes a bit more complicated.

The pulse of the story is propelled by many skillfully composed passages where I found myself drawn into developing alliances; Options are weighed and the motivations of others are considered. As the complexity of the drama builds, obstacles to truth and justice (which may or may not be overcome) that confront or engage the heroine, her colleagues and civil servants. Fictional accounts can often 'ring true’ in regards to real news and this story did so, admirably.

[Craig Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

James McCrone’s Bastard Verdict is a Scottish political thriller with the emphasis on ‘thrill’. You might think I am having you on—how could a novel set in the world of Scottish politics, sometimes focused on local political procedure, be described as thrilling?

Read my full review over at Inspiring Fiction: https://www.inspiringfiction.com/post...

[Louise Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very topical setting for this mystery, with plenty to learn about governance and political process on the way. I really enjoyed the detail and the clear level of effort put in to making sure the details were accurate and engaging.

[Jim Nesbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a subtle art to the introduction of highly technical, complex and potentially mind-numbing subjects to a work of fiction, one that requires a bit of a high-wire act from the author, teetering between just the right amount detail to give the story authenticity and a long fall into minutiae that buries the story -- and the reader's interest.

Across the three books of his ripped-from-the-headlines Faithless Elector series, which pursues the dark machinations of a stolen presidency with penetrating realism, and in his latest work, Bastard Verdict, which focuses on chicanery in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, author James McCrone masterfully introduces the tools of a data sleuth while spinning a taut thriller full of thugs, crooked and power hungry pols and bureaucrats and dead bodies.

It's a performance worthy of the Flying Wallendas. Without the deadly falls.

The book's title comes from a peculiarity in the Scottish justice system, where there are three findings a jury can pick -- guilty, innocent and not proven. The third choice is called The Bastard Verdict because it suggests the defendant may well be guilty of the crime but the prosecution failed to prove it.

Centerstage is FBI agent Imogene Trager, the data sleuth and heroine of the Faithless Elector series. No good deed goes unpunished -- Trager has been ostracized by an embarrassed FBI, gulaged to a remote backwater of the agency in a toothless job. It's highly suggested she take a leave of absence abroad so she snares a visiting scholar's gig at the University of Glasgow. It's also an unspoken hope that she uses this opportunity to leave the FBI.

She's supposed to keep her nose clean and stick to scholarly research. Instead, she meets an older professor, Francis McDougal, an ardent supporter of Scottish independence who is convinced the 2014 referendum was stolen by the opposition, which includes the crown and the British government before Brexit fever struck.

McDougal -- or Wee Frankie, a not-so-loving nickname hung on him by his academic colleagues -- piques her interest with the anomalies she loves to investigate by pointing out the unexpected results in two bastions of independence, Dundee and Glasgow, where the turnout was lower than expected and the opposition carried the day.

She also meets a very suave special advisor reporting to the chief of staff for the First Minister, the head of Scottish government. Ian Ross asks her to conduct an unofficial review of the referendum results because "a number of us are convinced it was stolen last time." And if a second referendum is conducted, "we want to make sure it isn't stolen again."

The hook is set. Trager begins her clandestine review. That's when the bodies start to drop -- first, Wee Frankie, murdered during a presumed robbery while walking to his car parked on the dodgy side of town, his body tossed over a fence like a bag of trash. Then Wee Frankie's friend, a retired election official in Dundee who had hoarded his personal notes on precinct returns and ballot boxes during the referendum. He was found hanging from the ceiling in the second story office of his home, an apparent suicide.

The clock is ticking. The pace of the novel accelerates dramatically, appropriate for a race between Trager and her allies, searching for truth with regressive analysis and other tools, and the shadowy conspirators of corrupt government officials and their hire thugs, intent on killing Trager as well as all talk of a second referendum.

As is often the case, the coverup is worse than the original crime -- and that's bad enough. Both are enough to get anybody killed. The question is whether Trager and her ragtag allies find the truth before falling victim to this murderous math.

Bastard Verdict is now available in paperback and Kindle.

Jim Nesbitt is the award-winning author of four hard-boiled Texas crime thrillers featuring battered but relentless Dallas PI Ed Earl Burch. His latest, The Dead Certain Doubt is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.

The author provided an advanced copy of this book for review.

[T.G. Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

BASTARD VERDICT is a Political Thriller. FBI Special Agent Imogen Trager is on sabbatical. She’s taking a break from the fall out of her last cases to dive into the safe world of academia. At visiting fellow at Scotland’s University of Glasgow, she’s diving into the data behind referendums in the US, Scotland, and Sweden. But then a question is raised about the validity of the 2014 Scottish referendum on independence. And that quick, Imogen is back in the thick of it.

Bottom line: BASTARD VERDICT is for you if you like sophisticated, intricately woven political thrillers steeped in real historical events.

Strengths of the story. The strength of the story is the premise: the exploration of a fascinating “what if”. What if an election was stolen…that the victor would have won anyway? Was a crime committed? Where is the accountability? How high does it go? What would the victors do to stop the story from coming out?

This is Imogen’s 4th case so she is an established and well-developed character. As this book is set in Scotland, not the US, there are no continuing characters from previous books. This makes it an easy choice to pick up, even if you haven’t read the previous books.

Thriller lovers should be aware this is a political thriller, so the tension and action are more intellectual and less physical. The pacing is strong with the storyline continuously moving forward. Interestingly, the story is largely driven by the “villains”, forcing the heroes to act and react throughout the book.

Where the story fell short of ideal: I had two minor challenges reading the book. First centers around point of view. Bastard Verdict is told from multiple points of view, as is common with thrillers. But occasionally, the change in point of view happened within a continuous scene, often subtly. It was enough that I had to stop and re-read to understand the narrating character changed.

The second challenge centered around logic and sequence. Once the story gets rolling, the actions of the characters are consistent, even if driven by fear, greed, or paranoia. They are bad guys, after all. The starting premise that gets Imogen going on the research isn’t the strongest and a coincidence regarding one of the characters strikes as convenient. Small detractions for an otherwise enjoyable read on an intriguing premise.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bastard Verdict is a taut, politically charged noir thriller that explores the dangerous intersection of power, fear, and moral compromise. Set against the backdrop of a looming second Scottish Independence referendum, James McCrone delivers a narrative that is both intellectually engaging and relentlessly suspenseful.

At the center of the novel is Imogen Trager, an FBI Elections Specialist temporarily based at the University of Glasgow. Tasked with reexamining the integrity of the 2014 referendum, Imogen enters the investigation under the guise of impartial oversight only to uncover a web of manipulation, secrecy, and lethal desperation. McCrone’s portrayal of political actors driven not by ideology but by self preservation gives the novel its sharp edge.

What distinguishes Bastard Verdict is its restraint and realism. The tension does not rely on spectacle but on accumulating pressure: partial truths, compromised institutions, and the quiet menace of those who believe power must be held at any cost. The prose is controlled and incisive, allowing the stakes to rise naturally as Imogen follows a trail that grows increasingly dangerous.

Imogen Trager is a compelling protagonist driven, principled, and imperfect. Her commitment to truth, even when it conflicts with protocol or personal safety, grounds the novel emotionally and ethically. McCrone resists easy heroics, instead presenting a protagonist whose courage lies in persistence and clarity rather than bravado.

Bastard Verdict succeeds as both a gripping thriller and a sobering examination of modern democracy under strain. It will resonate strongly with readers who appreciate politically literate fiction, morally complex characters, and narratives that reflect the unsettling realities of power and accountability.

[Daisy Blacklock · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5 stars

Bastard Verdict by James McCrone was an explosive and well-researched book.

A lot happens straight away, and I found it to be explosive with events at first, which was great. Then it reveals everything bit by bit (a little unsteadily paced but nothing too bad) until the end.

There has obviously been a lot of research gone into this, especially into the politics side of things. As someone who doesn’t have a clue about politics, I was hoping to learn a little more about how things work (probably a bit naïve of me to think I’d be able to keep up with it and understand it) and at first, I was learning and managing to keep up. However, as I progressed it got a little bit too much for me personally and a lot of it went over my head and wasn’t of interest to me as much.

The storyline and subplots were very complex and sometimes hard to keep track of the many different characters as I progressed further in the story.

I found the setting intriguing and I found it was also a little strange hearing references to the late queen. It had a kind of nostalgic feel to it which I thought was really interesting.

The only thing that stopped me engaging was the amount of what I thought to be unnecessary details. I felt that perhaps if all the detail was put into character development instead of details that weren’t really needed or had too much detail describing the same thing and could’ve been more concise, I would’ve found it a bit better.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure this book quite worked for me, but if you’re into politics this may be of interest to you.

Thank you, James McCrone and Anne (Random Things Tours), for my copy.

[Darcy Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a smart, tense read that surprised me with how gripping it was. Bastard Verdict blends political intrigue with noir elements in a way that feels grounded, unsettling, and very believable. Even if you’re not deeply invested in Scottish politics, the story pulls you in through its atmosphere, pacing, and characters.
Imogen Trager is a standout protagonist sharp, stubborn, and deeply conflicted. I really liked that she’s driven more by truth and numbers than by approval or protocol, even when that puts her at serious risk. She feels human rather than heroic, and the choices she makes carry real consequences. The further she digs, the darker and more dangerous things become, and that slow tightening of the net kept me hooked.
The political side of the story is handled thoughtfully. It doesn’t feel preachy or simplistic, and the idea that people don’t always cheat to win but sometimes just to avoid losing adds an uncomfortable layer of realism. The conspiracies, power plays, and moral compromises feel disturbingly plausible, which makes the stakes feel high even without constant action.
Overall, this is a solid, well-written political noir with tension, intelligence, and emotional weight. If you enjoy investigative thrillers with complex characters, murky ethics, and a sense that the truth is dangerous precisely because it matters, this one is worth picking up.
dracycoates@gmail.com

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bastard Verdict by James McCrone is one incredible journey. This book reminds me so much of Covert Affairs where it too, had a lead female who did everything to protect the innocent. Imogen is just as determined, tough, and clever. I loved following her as she worked hard to overcome the risks she took. Truth and justice shall prevail. There is plenty of action, crime, and politics to keep readers like me interested. The writer, James McCrone is new to me. His writing style is clear and vivid. I am instantly impressed with his writing. When, a writer can hook me in and keep me glued to the book, it is definitely a win-win.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.