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Quint Dalrymple #1
Body Politic
It is the year 2020, and Edinburgh is now independent. When a gruesome series of murders is committed, Quint Dalrymple is called on to track down the murderer. In doing so he uncovers a tale of government corruption, sex-slave rings, and a killer who specializes in a unique form of organ removal.
345 pages
First published July 3, 1997
15 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Paul Johnston
90 books88 followersPaul Johnston was born in Edinburgh, studied Greek at Oxford, and now divides his time between the UK and a small Greek island. His highly-acclaimed Quintilian Dalrymple series won the John Creasey Memorial Dagger for best first crime novel.
Series:
* Quint Dalrymple
* Alex Mavros
* Matt Wells
Series:
* Quint Dalrymple
* Alex Mavros
* Matt Wells
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 19, 2015
This first in a projected series of detective novels features Edinburgh's Quintilian Dalrymple, who quit the Public Order Directorate to work as a parks laborer and sometime private eye which takes place in the year 2020.
Dalrymple is summoned to clear up the mystery of who murdered guardswoman Knox 96, a.k.a. Sarah Spence, before it affects the tourist trade. In the bleak, near-future Edinburgh televisions, private cars, unsanctioned books and music have been banned and most crime has been eliminated. and this is the first murder in five years .
Dalrymple is reluctant to take on the case as he has a private client he is working for to locate a missing person . However as thing move along he will cover a sex-slaves racket, medical-research corruption, and an insane serial killer.
The book won Britain's Creasy Award for best first novel.
Dalrymple is summoned to clear up the mystery of who murdered guardswoman Knox 96, a.k.a. Sarah Spence, before it affects the tourist trade. In the bleak, near-future Edinburgh televisions, private cars, unsanctioned books and music have been banned and most crime has been eliminated. and this is the first murder in five years .
Dalrymple is reluctant to take on the case as he has a private client he is working for to locate a missing person . However as thing move along he will cover a sex-slaves racket, medical-research corruption, and an insane serial killer.
The book won Britain's Creasy Award for best first novel.
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May 11, 2017At some point made no sense to me, even in the world the writer creates. Lost interest, no rating.
April 22, 2020
Achei que seria interessante ler agora o "Corpo Político" de Paul Johnston escrito em 1997 mas cuja história se desenrola a partir de Março de 2020. Não existe nenhuma pandemia como sabemos hoje que é o que marca o mundo nesta data, mas existe uma realidade e uma ideologia marcante na cidade de Edimburgo. O governo vigente, com a ideologia baptizada de "iluminação" que tomou poder após a independência da cidade, é formado por guardiões e auxiliares que controlam todos os movimentos dos seus cidadãos, através de restrições de acesso a informação e determinada cultura, hora de recolher obrigatório e até controlo do conteúdo das suas habitações...Todo este controlo dá a falsa impressão de uma cidade segura e livre de corrupção que vive para e do turismo e é a partir do primeiro de uma série de homicídios que o protagonista, o investigador Quintilian Dayrimple, restabelece a sua ligação ao governo e à iluminação e segue um amontoado de pistas difíceis de relacionar até descobrir o assassino e o motivo da sua actuação.
Devo confessar que em certo ponto fiquei confusa, porque nos é dada imensa informação e queremos compreender imediatamente o que está a acontecer e pelo menos eu não fui capaz de o fazer, mas fiquei satisfeita com a resolução do caso e com o facto de não existir um tom vincado entre o bem e o mal, mas a percepção de um amontoado de interesses e posições que nos fazem reflectir!
Devo confessar que em certo ponto fiquei confusa, porque nos é dada imensa informação e queremos compreender imediatamente o que está a acontecer e pelo menos eu não fui capaz de o fazer, mas fiquei satisfeita com a resolução do caso e com o facto de não existir um tom vincado entre o bem e o mal, mas a percepção de um amontoado de interesses e posições que nos fazem reflectir!
January 28, 2016
This book takes place in 2020 Edinburgh, Scotland. After years of rioting and chaos, during which time the United Kingdom was dissolved into dozens of city-states, Edinburgh achieves stability thanks to the Council of City Guardians and their vision of a new Age of Enlightenment. There have been no murders in the city for five years until now, when the body of an auxiliary is found dead and mutilated. The signs are there that an old serial killer known as the Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) Man is back.
Quintillian Dalrymple is a disgraced Guardsman. Years ago, unable to capture the ENT Man, he was demoted to the Parks Auxiliary. Quint knows that these murders can't be tied to the ENT Man, because he's the only one who really knows what happened to him years ago. When a second murder takes place, Quint is asked by the Guardian Council to investigate the murders.
This is an interesting book. The Edinburgh here is an austere city, where almost everything we know is banned: music, television, private cars, and computers. Even first names are banned. People are referred to as “Citizen” and the Auxiliary is called by their barracks name and number, i.e., Heriot 07. This is the first book written by this author, and the first of currently six books in the dystopian crime series. Body Politic also won Johnston the John Creasey Award for best first crime novel. I felt like the characters were a little flat but the incredible Edinburgh of the future was very realistic. I would definitely consider giving this author another chance in the second book of the series, Bone Yard.
Quintillian Dalrymple is a disgraced Guardsman. Years ago, unable to capture the ENT Man, he was demoted to the Parks Auxiliary. Quint knows that these murders can't be tied to the ENT Man, because he's the only one who really knows what happened to him years ago. When a second murder takes place, Quint is asked by the Guardian Council to investigate the murders.
This is an interesting book. The Edinburgh here is an austere city, where almost everything we know is banned: music, television, private cars, and computers. Even first names are banned. People are referred to as “Citizen” and the Auxiliary is called by their barracks name and number, i.e., Heriot 07. This is the first book written by this author, and the first of currently six books in the dystopian crime series. Body Politic also won Johnston the John Creasey Award for best first crime novel. I felt like the characters were a little flat but the incredible Edinburgh of the future was very realistic. I would definitely consider giving this author another chance in the second book of the series, Bone Yard.
September 7, 2012
I thought this was a nifty dystopia, very evocative of Yevgeny Zamyatin's We. There was a thing that was supposed to be a surprising reveal, though, and I totally saw it coming. Sometimes the main character was a little annoying. He got the ending he deserved, though. There was a little too much use of "body politic" as a metaphor, but it wasn't too bad. Another thing it reminded me of was The Inverted World — it was kind of like that but with more sex, gore, and jadedness.
November 19, 2013
Fantastic dystopic novel - one of the best of the genre! Quint Dalrymple is an awesome hero & his Edinburgh is realistic & fully formed - possibly 1 of my all time faves!! Others in this series all rock - fun clever & infinitely re-readable (also a scary potential Brave New World!)
April 30, 2023
This is a very interesting book. It uses the form of a detective novel for character development and world building.
What is done brilliantly is the portrayal of a society based on Plato's "The Republic". The author clearly uses his classics background and familiarity with Plato to expose the actual implications of the Republic. The city's Guardians also strongly resemble the Bolsheviks in the USSR - overly intellectual, theory driven and completely impractical. They could be described as ideologically possessed.
The pace of the detective novel is very well managed and the author manages considerable humour.
I would strongly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in either detective fiction or philosophical novels.
What is done brilliantly is the portrayal of a society based on Plato's "The Republic". The author clearly uses his classics background and familiarity with Plato to expose the actual implications of the Republic. The city's Guardians also strongly resemble the Bolsheviks in the USSR - overly intellectual, theory driven and completely impractical. They could be described as ideologically possessed.
The pace of the detective novel is very well managed and the author manages considerable humour.
I would strongly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in either detective fiction or philosophical novels.
December 27, 2022
Murder mystery set in dystopian Edinburgh 2020 (book written in 1997). It’s an authoritarian society with suppressive rules. Quintillian Dalrymple has been demoted to a cleaner’s job but is recalled to solve some murders (he used to be the greatest investigator and wrote the book on it). An old case haunts him and seems to be related, judging by the modus operandi of the killer.
Nice blend of sketching a probable future, and a whodunnit.
Nice blend of sketching a probable future, and a whodunnit.
July 7, 2024
3.5/5 Stars
This book has an interesting premise: a utopian society made not-so-perfect by a murderer on the loose. The character development was interesting and the story unique. Some crime scenes were a bit graphic so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone squeamish about those types of things. Overall, an interesting read but nothing I’d enthusiastically recommend
litandflicks.com
This book has an interesting premise: a utopian society made not-so-perfect by a murderer on the loose. The character development was interesting and the story unique. Some crime scenes were a bit graphic so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone squeamish about those types of things. Overall, an interesting read but nothing I’d enthusiastically recommend
litandflicks.com
July 19, 2018
Good Volk
December 9, 2016
The first publication of this novel was in 1997 when the date in which it is set, 2020, was a considerable time away. That makes it read a bit oddly in 2016.
Edinburgh - like many other parts of the UK - is independent, home to a never-ending tourist drawing festival, from which the city derives most of its income. It is run by the Enlightenment Council of City Guardians, which comes across as a sort of muted cross between a local Council, the Committee of Public Safety and a Kirk Session. The city’s citizens lead a circumscribed existence, unruly beards are obligatory, television, private cars and crime are banned, as is blues music - a problem for former city guardian Quintilian Dalrymple who at the novel’s start is asked by Katharine Kirkwood to find her missing brother. Before long however, a body is discovered whose murder bears remarkable similarities to those of the Ear, Nose and Throat Man from several years before. Dalrymple, as the expert on the previous crimes (and instrumental in their ceasing,) is roped back in to the Enlightenment’s police force (called guardians) to investigate. What follows is the usual tale of corruption, red-herringry and interconnectedness; though carried off with great skill. The crime element is pretty standard fare (as far as my reading of the genre goes) the bureaucratic hassles associated with the policeman’s/policewoman’s lot lent an air of strangeness by the unusual background. Various villains are unmasked, the murderer not whom you might expect. Kirkwood’s brother’s disappearance is peripheral to that aspect of the plot and only really exists to provide Dalrymple with a love interest.
Despite its (altered) future setting this cannot really be considered Science Fiction. In form and content it is more of a crime novel than anything else, there is no speculation involved. Quite why it appeared on the Herald’s list of best Scottish Fiction Books, I’m not sure. I can only think that the Enlightenment might be supposed to be a peculiarly Scottish conception. It has Calvinistic undertones but the things it tolerates - encourages even - have traditionally been frowned upon at best and more usually excoriated.
Somewhat prophetically there is the line, “The USA had reverted to the self-obsession that’s a hallmark of their history.”
Edinburgh - like many other parts of the UK - is independent, home to a never-ending tourist drawing festival, from which the city derives most of its income. It is run by the Enlightenment Council of City Guardians, which comes across as a sort of muted cross between a local Council, the Committee of Public Safety and a Kirk Session. The city’s citizens lead a circumscribed existence, unruly beards are obligatory, television, private cars and crime are banned, as is blues music - a problem for former city guardian Quintilian Dalrymple who at the novel’s start is asked by Katharine Kirkwood to find her missing brother. Before long however, a body is discovered whose murder bears remarkable similarities to those of the Ear, Nose and Throat Man from several years before. Dalrymple, as the expert on the previous crimes (and instrumental in their ceasing,) is roped back in to the Enlightenment’s police force (called guardians) to investigate. What follows is the usual tale of corruption, red-herringry and interconnectedness; though carried off with great skill. The crime element is pretty standard fare (as far as my reading of the genre goes) the bureaucratic hassles associated with the policeman’s/policewoman’s lot lent an air of strangeness by the unusual background. Various villains are unmasked, the murderer not whom you might expect. Kirkwood’s brother’s disappearance is peripheral to that aspect of the plot and only really exists to provide Dalrymple with a love interest.
Despite its (altered) future setting this cannot really be considered Science Fiction. In form and content it is more of a crime novel than anything else, there is no speculation involved. Quite why it appeared on the Herald’s list of best Scottish Fiction Books, I’m not sure. I can only think that the Enlightenment might be supposed to be a peculiarly Scottish conception. It has Calvinistic undertones but the things it tolerates - encourages even - have traditionally been frowned upon at best and more usually excoriated.
Somewhat prophetically there is the line, “The USA had reverted to the self-obsession that’s a hallmark of their history.”
February 7, 2025
An enjoyable re-read as I remember enjoying these Quint Dalrymple books many years ago, but I’d forgotten how well-written they are.
It’s set in an alternative reality where the UK has broken up into separate city-states. Edinburgh, where the action all happens here, is ruled by a council of guardians and operates in a kind of separatist, socialistic, militaristic, semi-Orwellian way of life. (It’s hard to describe exactly, but it’s very vividly depicted.)
Crime has been almost eliminated until the discovery of a dead body forces the council to call on the services of Quint Dalrymple, the last man to have led a big murder investigation in the city.
He’s kind of a laconic maverick in a rules-driven city, and we soon find out he has family connections to the highest level of power in the city.
The main plot is a familiar track down the killer thriller, but it’s done against the background of this very richly drawn alternative version of a future Edinburgh.
It can get quite graphic and dark, but Quint has a wry, dry humour to him that keeps you liking him and the plot.
The ending is a little rushed / messy, but overall, I enjoyed this book and the world it creates, and I will be working my way back through the rest of them. Well worth a read.
It’s set in an alternative reality where the UK has broken up into separate city-states. Edinburgh, where the action all happens here, is ruled by a council of guardians and operates in a kind of separatist, socialistic, militaristic, semi-Orwellian way of life. (It’s hard to describe exactly, but it’s very vividly depicted.)
Crime has been almost eliminated until the discovery of a dead body forces the council to call on the services of Quint Dalrymple, the last man to have led a big murder investigation in the city.
He’s kind of a laconic maverick in a rules-driven city, and we soon find out he has family connections to the highest level of power in the city.
The main plot is a familiar track down the killer thriller, but it’s done against the background of this very richly drawn alternative version of a future Edinburgh.
It can get quite graphic and dark, but Quint has a wry, dry humour to him that keeps you liking him and the plot.
The ending is a little rushed / messy, but overall, I enjoyed this book and the world it creates, and I will be working my way back through the rest of them. Well worth a read.
December 29, 2014
This book is one in a series set in Edinburgh, Scotland in the 2020's after the world economy has collapsed into scattered city-states due to wars and drugs. Edinburgh is tightly run by the Guardians with the support of auxiliaries, who are referred to by their numbers rather than their names. The Guardians proclaim the city crime-free, but then hire Quint (Quintilian) Dalrymple to solve the crimes that occur. Quint is supported by a great group of friends and acquaintances who are interesting and well fleshed out. The series is amusing and entertaining. This, the first book, introduces us to Quint who is brought in to solve the murder of a woman auxiliary. The murder resembles a cold case. We meet Davie, Quint's side kick.
January 31, 2016
It's the year of 2020, an Edinburgh of a dystopian future, where the City is run as a republic, ruled over by a group of Guardians that are riddled with corruption, though supposedly incorruptible.
Quint is a disgraced, former "cop" who is called back into service when it appears that a former serial killer is back in operation in a crime-free city.
The future is dreary. Freedom is no more. Relationships are basically discouraged.
Thought it was going well until there was a bit of an information dump to give back story to the arrival of the city state and the "Enlightenment".
Audible book was narrated well.
On the whole, not quite 3 stars. Was glad to finally get to the end.
Quint is a disgraced, former "cop" who is called back into service when it appears that a former serial killer is back in operation in a crime-free city.
The future is dreary. Freedom is no more. Relationships are basically discouraged.
Thought it was going well until there was a bit of an information dump to give back story to the arrival of the city state and the "Enlightenment".
Audible book was narrated well.
On the whole, not quite 3 stars. Was glad to finally get to the end.
August 2, 2007
Surprisingly good book!
I never saw it coming!
The title of the book almost scared me off because I was thinking it was a book with political content instead of an fiction story!
This is a detective story which happens in the year 2020.
The reality created by the author reminds me a little the reality created by George Orwell in his 1984 fiction!
If you like these kind of stories or detective stories you will probably enjoy this book as well.
I read this in 4 days, which I believe it's a personal record for me!
I couldn't simply stop ... as I wanted to know what happened in the next chapter ... and in the following ... and so on...
I never saw it coming!
The title of the book almost scared me off because I was thinking it was a book with political content instead of an fiction story!
This is a detective story which happens in the year 2020.
The reality created by the author reminds me a little the reality created by George Orwell in his 1984 fiction!
If you like these kind of stories or detective stories you will probably enjoy this book as well.
I read this in 4 days, which I believe it's a personal record for me!
I couldn't simply stop ... as I wanted to know what happened in the next chapter ... and in the following ... and so on...
January 24, 2012
Not my usual choice of crime novel. I currently need to have an audio book on the go, but the library choice for downloading is limited and in a way this is good because I have to go a little outside my comfort zone. This is set in an alternative Edinburgh in 2020 (and does remind me a little of a Rebus novel) and is a convincing and compelling world. The writing is more violent and explicit than I can normally stomach, but by the time I'd discovered this I was too far in to give up. I probably wouldn't try a second book simply but for a change this was enjoyable.
May 15, 2009
There's no summaries up here yet, so:
This book is kind of like 1984 meets Law and Order: SVU. It's set in a future where the world has become corrupt and unruly, except for one city, set apart, where the "Enlightenment" has allowed for peace and order. And then a string of gruesome murders threatens to disrupt the enlightenment, so Citizen Dalrymple is enlisted to find the murderer.
This book is kind of like 1984 meets Law and Order: SVU. It's set in a future where the world has become corrupt and unruly, except for one city, set apart, where the "Enlightenment" has allowed for peace and order. And then a string of gruesome murders threatens to disrupt the enlightenment, so Citizen Dalrymple is enlisted to find the murderer.
January 18, 2012
Pretty interesting crime novel with some political satire and science fiction thrown in. It's mystery is well built and the pace is great. There are various subplots that converge and diverge successfully, likeable characters and interesting twists/red herrings.
My main complaint is the way the protagonist sometimes goes out to follow some leads that make too little sense.
Overall, an interesting sort-of-sci-fi crime thriller I would recommend.
My main complaint is the way the protagonist sometimes goes out to follow some leads that make too little sense.
Overall, an interesting sort-of-sci-fi crime thriller I would recommend.
April 23, 2016
A re-read from some time back - in preparation for his new books in this series set in a post independence Scotland where the country has broken down further and Edinburgh is ruled by a set of hypocritical and morally bankrupt guardians. An interesting central character, a reasonably complex whodunnit and a set up for future volumes. All a bit familiar once I'd got started but will read in series to prepare for the new stuff
February 17, 2016
A very interesting and well written novel. The setting was unique with a dystopian setting in Edinburgh Scotland in the future (though the dates have passed now).
The main character was engaging and why he was allowed to be the way he was, was interesting. I am not a big fan of serial killer novels but there was an underlying reason which made it palatable.
Really worth reading.
The main character was engaging and why he was allowed to be the way he was, was interesting. I am not a big fan of serial killer novels but there was an underlying reason which made it palatable.
Really worth reading.
June 17, 2013
Paul Johnston appears to have written a near-futuristic vaguely Communist dystopian Edinburgh-based crime novel in the style of Jasper Fforde. I have no idea quite how he managed to do all that, but it appears he did it with me in mind.
December 4, 2010
Mediocre writing, no plot, no characters, no ideas, a waste of time considering the near future books out there.
June 20, 2014
Meh, didn't do anything for me. Sorry to say I only finished it to be done with it.
December 26, 2015
really enjoyable alternative future Edinburgh mystery
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February 25, 2018can't recommend due to depictions of dystopic people in utopia
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews