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Conway Trilogy #2
Where the Dead Men Go
After three years in the wilderness, hardboiled reporter Gerry Conway is back at his desk at the Glasgow Tribune . But three years is a long time on newspapers and things have changed - readers are dwindling, budgets are tightening, and the Trib 's once rigorous standards are slipping. Once the paper's star reporter, Conway now plays second fiddle to his former prot�g�, crime reporter Martin Moir.But when Moir goes AWOL as a big story breaks, Conway is dispatched to cover a gangland shooting. And when Moir's body turns up in a flooded quarry, Conway is drawn deeper into the city's criminal underworld as he looks for the truth about his colleague's death. Braving the hostility of gangsters, ambitious politicians and his own newspaper bosses, Conway discovers he still has what it takes to break a big story. But this is a story not everyone wants to hear as the city prepares to host the Commonwealth Games and the country gears up for a make-or-break referendum on independence.In this, the second book in the Conway Trilogy, McIlvanney explores the murky interface of crime and politics in the new Scotland.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 18, 2014
Gangland headlines...
When top crime reporter Martin Moir of The Tribune turns up dead, his colleague and friend Gerry Conway finds it hard to accept that his death was suicide. Conway had been a mentor to the younger man but Moir’s success in getting exclusives about the workings of the underworld had given him top billing on the paper. Now Conway must return to covering crime at a time when two rival gangs are facing off against each other and a street war looks likely. And he must also try to find out the truth of what happened to Moir…
Set in present day Glasgow, this is a well written story with noir-ish tendencies. Glasgow is shown as a city of violence where rival gangs divide up the turf and corruption is rife. Conway’s job as a reporter gives McIlvanney the opportunity to look at the changing world and diminishing importance of newspapers in the age of online news. Conway’s character is well developed as we see him struggle to juggle the demands of the job and his family (partner, ex-wife and children). As Conway’s investigation begins to uncover the depth of the corruption, he and his family become the targets of the gangland bosses. A flawed hero, Conway’s integrity is put to the test when danger threatens and, as in all noir, moral certainties become blurred.
Liam McIlvanney is the son of William McIlvanney of Laidlaw fame so it’s hard to read this book without drawing comparisons. Like Laidlaw this book concentrates on the seamier side of Glasgow life, the underworld and gangsters for whom violence is a way of life. Both writers are noir-ish in their view of the city and both see justice as something that happens beyond the bounds of courts and law. However, while I found William’s picture of '70s Glasgow frighteningly accurate, Liam’s portrayal of the present-day city seems somehow outdated. Of course, as in any big city there are still gangs and gangsters in Glasgow, but they don’t keep the city in fear the way they once did. I felt Liam overplayed the importance of the gangs and the level of corruption and this detracted from the overall credibility of the story for me. William McIlvanney used Glasgow dialect and speech patterns to brilliant effect in Laidlaw; Liam barely uses dialect at all and I felt this was a distinct lack that prevented the book from being as firmly rooted in the city as it might have been. In fact, this book could really have been set in any big city, whereas in Laidlaw Glasgow was brought uniquely to life.
Unfair to compare father and son, I know, but hard to avoid, especially since Liam McIlvanney has chosen to re-inhabit the territory that his father made his own. Without comparison though, this is a good read on the whole, well written and with strong characterisation. The plot is complex and interesting, although I had a few issues with its credibility and not just the ones I’ve mentioned already around the portrayal of Glasgow. Overall, though, this is an above average crime/thriller that will certainly encourage me to look out for more of Liam McIlvanney’s work in the future. Recommended.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
When top crime reporter Martin Moir of The Tribune turns up dead, his colleague and friend Gerry Conway finds it hard to accept that his death was suicide. Conway had been a mentor to the younger man but Moir’s success in getting exclusives about the workings of the underworld had given him top billing on the paper. Now Conway must return to covering crime at a time when two rival gangs are facing off against each other and a street war looks likely. And he must also try to find out the truth of what happened to Moir…
Set in present day Glasgow, this is a well written story with noir-ish tendencies. Glasgow is shown as a city of violence where rival gangs divide up the turf and corruption is rife. Conway’s job as a reporter gives McIlvanney the opportunity to look at the changing world and diminishing importance of newspapers in the age of online news. Conway’s character is well developed as we see him struggle to juggle the demands of the job and his family (partner, ex-wife and children). As Conway’s investigation begins to uncover the depth of the corruption, he and his family become the targets of the gangland bosses. A flawed hero, Conway’s integrity is put to the test when danger threatens and, as in all noir, moral certainties become blurred.
Liam McIlvanney is the son of William McIlvanney of Laidlaw fame so it’s hard to read this book without drawing comparisons. Like Laidlaw this book concentrates on the seamier side of Glasgow life, the underworld and gangsters for whom violence is a way of life. Both writers are noir-ish in their view of the city and both see justice as something that happens beyond the bounds of courts and law. However, while I found William’s picture of '70s Glasgow frighteningly accurate, Liam’s portrayal of the present-day city seems somehow outdated. Of course, as in any big city there are still gangs and gangsters in Glasgow, but they don’t keep the city in fear the way they once did. I felt Liam overplayed the importance of the gangs and the level of corruption and this detracted from the overall credibility of the story for me. William McIlvanney used Glasgow dialect and speech patterns to brilliant effect in Laidlaw; Liam barely uses dialect at all and I felt this was a distinct lack that prevented the book from being as firmly rooted in the city as it might have been. In fact, this book could really have been set in any big city, whereas in Laidlaw Glasgow was brought uniquely to life.
Unfair to compare father and son, I know, but hard to avoid, especially since Liam McIlvanney has chosen to re-inhabit the territory that his father made his own. Without comparison though, this is a good read on the whole, well written and with strong characterisation. The plot is complex and interesting, although I had a few issues with its credibility and not just the ones I’ve mentioned already around the portrayal of Glasgow. Overall, though, this is an above average crime/thriller that will certainly encourage me to look out for more of Liam McIlvanney’s work in the future. Recommended.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
December 1, 2016
It's taken me a while to get to this one, I know, but I thoroughly enjoyed All The Colours Of The Town, and this book, set 3-4 years later, isn't as action packed throughout. It's more a build up to a great ending. A lot of the tales about gangsters are culled from the red tops, and some of the names are only changed a little. But it does make it ring true because of this. I agree with Leah that gangs don't hold the city to hostage with fear as much as they once did, but when it comes, for example, to drug dealing, then generally certain people do control an area. It must be tough to follow in the footsteps of his father, but I thought it was highly enjoyable, and there were things I'd like to quote on every page! McIlvanney Jr. can only get better - I can't wait til his next book.
August 23, 2013
Thrilling Thriller
This is the second in Liam McIIvanney’s Conway mysteries and this is a fine example of what a crime thriller should be about. There is a wonderful pulsating pace throughout the book as the Glasgow underworld and all that brings weaves its way through the pages of the novel.
Gerry Conway is the Political Editor of the Sunday Tribune after an enforced absence due to his previous role as the Crime Editor and bringing down a politician and a Gangland Godfather. He looks with some jealousy at his friend and colleague Martin Moir who now holds that job. It is not until he starts to worry about why he has not seen his friend for a few days that things start falling in to place, and when he is found dead it is Gerry who is pressing the police for action, as he runs a counter investigation.
While doing the two jobs of politics and crime while investigating his friends death that brings him in to contact with the leaders of rival crime mobs, which brings him to contact with the leadership of Glasgow City Council. At the same time we are brought in to contact with a lot of “Glasgow baggage”, sectarian football support, the split up of the rival gangs, the UVF and UDA, eastern European prostitutes and heroin.
Like all investigative crime journalists this brings him to the attention of all the major players in crime and politics, which always seem entwined, which in turn always means a funeral or two. Conway is so concerned about his own safety and the protection of his own family he has to watch as his partner goes to her parents in New Zealand and his ex-wife’s husband accepts a job in Aberdeen.
This is a wonderful crime thriller which sees the death of a major crime lord by the son of another at the end of the book. But the thrill of this crime novel is in everything that builds to the ending like a crescendo of thunder and lightening. This is a wonderful crime read and well worth reading, as it brings to life the gritty underworld of Glasgow and how some need that underworld belly to survive in their own jobs. While at the same time that criminal underbelly is trying to legitimise the ways in which it makes money, and launders the rest of their own cash.
Great read it – get it as soon as you can.
This is the second in Liam McIIvanney’s Conway mysteries and this is a fine example of what a crime thriller should be about. There is a wonderful pulsating pace throughout the book as the Glasgow underworld and all that brings weaves its way through the pages of the novel.
Gerry Conway is the Political Editor of the Sunday Tribune after an enforced absence due to his previous role as the Crime Editor and bringing down a politician and a Gangland Godfather. He looks with some jealousy at his friend and colleague Martin Moir who now holds that job. It is not until he starts to worry about why he has not seen his friend for a few days that things start falling in to place, and when he is found dead it is Gerry who is pressing the police for action, as he runs a counter investigation.
While doing the two jobs of politics and crime while investigating his friends death that brings him in to contact with the leaders of rival crime mobs, which brings him to contact with the leadership of Glasgow City Council. At the same time we are brought in to contact with a lot of “Glasgow baggage”, sectarian football support, the split up of the rival gangs, the UVF and UDA, eastern European prostitutes and heroin.
Like all investigative crime journalists this brings him to the attention of all the major players in crime and politics, which always seem entwined, which in turn always means a funeral or two. Conway is so concerned about his own safety and the protection of his own family he has to watch as his partner goes to her parents in New Zealand and his ex-wife’s husband accepts a job in Aberdeen.
This is a wonderful crime thriller which sees the death of a major crime lord by the son of another at the end of the book. But the thrill of this crime novel is in everything that builds to the ending like a crescendo of thunder and lightening. This is a wonderful crime read and well worth reading, as it brings to life the gritty underworld of Glasgow and how some need that underworld belly to survive in their own jobs. While at the same time that criminal underbelly is trying to legitimise the ways in which it makes money, and launders the rest of their own cash.
Great read it – get it as soon as you can.
August 29, 2014
"Professor Liam McIlvanney, the son of novelist William McIlvanney, was born in Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, and studied at Glasgow and Oxford Universities. After ten years lecturing in Scottish and Irish literature at the University of Aberdeen, he moved to Dunedin in New Zealand to teach at the University of Otago. He lectures in Scottish literature, culture and history, and on Irish-Scottish literary connections, and holds the Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies chair at the University."
WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO is set in Glasgow, but there is a hat tip to New Zealand in that Gerry Conway's partner, and mother of his beloved youngest boy, is a New Zealander. Which country she returns to when things get dangerous for anybody too close to Conway. The second book in the series, Conway is a newspaper reporter in a world where newspapers are increasingly marginalised. In a country that is about to host the Commonwealth Games, vote on their independence and in the middle of a brutal gangland conflict. He's a loving father to his youngest son, and the two boys from his first marriage. He's a good friend to his ex-wife, and he's a caring man, despite being more than a bit jaded about the state of the world.
There is a fabulous sense of place and character in this book. Conway is quintessentially Scottish and an old newspaper man. His time in the wilderness in PR seems like a bad dream every time he looks back, even though his return to the Tribune has him marked down on the pecking order and wondering about his future. Everyone who plays a part in this story makes sense, even the dead man, who seems to manage to maintain his influence long after death. Conway is dedicated, determined and single-minded in chasing down the truth about Moir's death, even though every revelation seems to suggest that he didn't know his old friend as well as he thought.
Woven into the believable scenario of an investigative journalist, investigating, WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO looks at the question of influence, and money. The fight for survival for newspapers, for journalists and for politicians all coincide with the fight for survival of the gangs. Justifications, reasons and ultimate aims might be slightly different, but there's something chillingly similar about motivations, and even methods in some places.
Nicely balanced between character, place, plot and pace, WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO is a fast-paced thriller. Well written, this book takes a believable scenario and fleshes it out into the underbelly of a society whilst simultaneously looking at the loss of influence of newspapers and the way that communities can be pulled apart by economic circumstances. WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO is the follow up to ALL THE COLOURS OF THE TOWN, but it works even if you've not read the earlier book.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO is set in Glasgow, but there is a hat tip to New Zealand in that Gerry Conway's partner, and mother of his beloved youngest boy, is a New Zealander. Which country she returns to when things get dangerous for anybody too close to Conway. The second book in the series, Conway is a newspaper reporter in a world where newspapers are increasingly marginalised. In a country that is about to host the Commonwealth Games, vote on their independence and in the middle of a brutal gangland conflict. He's a loving father to his youngest son, and the two boys from his first marriage. He's a good friend to his ex-wife, and he's a caring man, despite being more than a bit jaded about the state of the world.
There is a fabulous sense of place and character in this book. Conway is quintessentially Scottish and an old newspaper man. His time in the wilderness in PR seems like a bad dream every time he looks back, even though his return to the Tribune has him marked down on the pecking order and wondering about his future. Everyone who plays a part in this story makes sense, even the dead man, who seems to manage to maintain his influence long after death. Conway is dedicated, determined and single-minded in chasing down the truth about Moir's death, even though every revelation seems to suggest that he didn't know his old friend as well as he thought.
Woven into the believable scenario of an investigative journalist, investigating, WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO looks at the question of influence, and money. The fight for survival for newspapers, for journalists and for politicians all coincide with the fight for survival of the gangs. Justifications, reasons and ultimate aims might be slightly different, but there's something chillingly similar about motivations, and even methods in some places.
Nicely balanced between character, place, plot and pace, WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO is a fast-paced thriller. Well written, this book takes a believable scenario and fleshes it out into the underbelly of a society whilst simultaneously looking at the loss of influence of newspapers and the way that communities can be pulled apart by economic circumstances. WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO is the follow up to ALL THE COLOURS OF THE TOWN, but it works even if you've not read the earlier book.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
June 5, 2014
On my "to read" list for some time. Kick off with it and then determine that it is the 2nd in a series. Doesn't seem to hurt anything by not reading in order, but I do like things to me neat.
Then further research brings me to his father, William McIvanney and I now have two more books on my "to read" list, having ordered Laidlow.
This starts off so well - a great sense of place, using Glaswegian locations to full effect. Liked the journalistic angle as well, providing plenty of opportunity to talk about the plight of newspapers.
The story is simple enough - Gerry Conway is back from three years in PR to work on the Tribune. Presumably, something bad happened at the end of "All the colours of town" but I will look into that soon. His former protege, Martin Moir, is found dead and suicide is given as the reason.
Being a crime book, all is not as expected and we soon have links with organised crime and the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
There is a lot of back story to this as well, as Gerry's domestic position is discussed in some detail.
Maybe later stages of the book don't quite carry the it along as well as at the start and it felt slightly overlong. But it looks like the start of a new crime series for me... although I do need to back track.
Then further research brings me to his father, William McIvanney and I now have two more books on my "to read" list, having ordered Laidlow.
This starts off so well - a great sense of place, using Glaswegian locations to full effect. Liked the journalistic angle as well, providing plenty of opportunity to talk about the plight of newspapers.
The story is simple enough - Gerry Conway is back from three years in PR to work on the Tribune. Presumably, something bad happened at the end of "All the colours of town" but I will look into that soon. His former protege, Martin Moir, is found dead and suicide is given as the reason.
Being a crime book, all is not as expected and we soon have links with organised crime and the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
There is a lot of back story to this as well, as Gerry's domestic position is discussed in some detail.
Maybe later stages of the book don't quite carry the it along as well as at the start and it felt slightly overlong. But it looks like the start of a new crime series for me... although I do need to back track.
March 21, 2014
Inevitably, I found myself comparing this to Laidlaw, written by the author's father, since both books deal with gangland Glasgow. Liam is less uncompromisingly black in style or subject matter. The relationship Gerry Conway (the main protagonist) has with his sons (both from his previous marriage and from his current relationship) is very 'new man', not the distant one (although still deeply caring) of the 1970s.
The book feels very up-to-date and political: the decline of printed newspapers, the economic crisis, Scottish independence, the Commonwealth Games and bids for construction work etc. I am not sure how accurate the depiction of rival gangs is in present-day Glasgow: it felt like a hugely changed and rejuvenated town when I visited, but perhaps these things take a long time to die down.
The style is also far less cynical and dense than in Laidlaw, with less local accents for me to decipher. A good, gripping read, although it did not blow me away quite as much as the father's work.
The book feels very up-to-date and political: the decline of printed newspapers, the economic crisis, Scottish independence, the Commonwealth Games and bids for construction work etc. I am not sure how accurate the depiction of rival gangs is in present-day Glasgow: it felt like a hugely changed and rejuvenated town when I visited, but perhaps these things take a long time to die down.
The style is also far less cynical and dense than in Laidlaw, with less local accents for me to decipher. A good, gripping read, although it did not blow me away quite as much as the father's work.
February 10, 2015
Glasgow stands on the precipice: of hosting the Commonwealth Games; of a nationwide vote on Scottish independence; and of an explosive rekindling of a brutal gangland war. Enter Gerry Conway, the protagonist of McIlvanney’s superb debut thriller ALL THE COLOURS OF THE TOWN. Returned to the Glasgow Tribune after three years marooned in PR, Conway is the golden child fallen. A jaded, jobbing journo in a dying industry, clinging to the coat-tails of his once-protege Martin Moir. But when Moir’s body is found in a quarry as a big story breaks, Conway is thrust once more to the forefront. A dangerous place, as gangsters, politicians, and other predators swirl around. Terrific, page-turning storytelling imbued with quality prose and a fantastic sense of place and pressing societal issues. One of the top thrillers I’ve read this year. Highly recommended.
January 3, 2016
There is a surprising amount of description, of scene setting in Liam McIlvanney's novels but so beautifully done that, when noticed, I sigh with envy at his observation and ability to convey such to the reader. Taut, tight-plotted right to the very end and thoroughly entertaining.
December 6, 2018
Loved this book ,a class above the usual crime fiction novel .The main character was intriguing yet relatable in the descriptions of his everyday life .It moves at a cracking place but every so often you need to stop and admire a description or a sentence by this excellent author .
I read this as the book after his latest book The Quaker ,which was the book selected by my crime fiction reading group .It was the first one I'd read by Liam and it led me on to reading this book,and I intend to read the others .
Without saying too much about the plot ,if you enjoy good quality crime fiction and like the Scottish connection I can whole heartedly recommend it .
I read this as the book after his latest book The Quaker ,which was the book selected by my crime fiction reading group .It was the first one I'd read by Liam and it led me on to reading this book,and I intend to read the others .
Without saying too much about the plot ,if you enjoy good quality crime fiction and like the Scottish connection I can whole heartedly recommend it .
February 22, 2020
Second in the series with Glasgow journalist Gerry Conway. More intrigue and corruption in Glasgow. Gerry’s two sons are older now, and he has a new family, a new toddler son. He has to uncover why a colleague has been killed.
Well written, though I found myself less taken with it than the first in the series. And the author may have felt the same way, as he moved on to a different series after this book.
Well written, though I found myself less taken with it than the first in the series. And the author may have felt the same way, as he moved on to a different series after this book.
August 12, 2025
This one takes a while to get going but it's well worth sticking with. McIlvanney is great at evoking the grimness of Glasgow and the West of Scotland, the sectarianism, the dodgy politics, the booze (the local tourist board must hate him). I found my copy in the quite excellent Topping and Company Booksellers in St Andrews. If there is a third volume of the Conway trilogy, I'll be getting myself a copy.
March 15, 2019
Gripping Crime Thriller , Tartan Noir
Another great read by Liam, mixing politics and crime. Based in the West of Scotland and containing references to many of the issues that lie just below the surface of that no mean place. But most of all, a thoroughly good read from the Mureton born scribe.
Another great read by Liam, mixing politics and crime. Based in the West of Scotland and containing references to many of the issues that lie just below the surface of that no mean place. But most of all, a thoroughly good read from the Mureton born scribe.
November 10, 2019
Excellent
This was a very good ad gripping read . Wonderful evocative descriptions. I only have one complaint- I just wish the dialogue had less swearing. I can't believe that even in these days that somone is unable to say a single sentence without swearing! So dreary, so boring. It just took the edge off for me in an otherwise excellent book.
This was a very good ad gripping read . Wonderful evocative descriptions. I only have one complaint- I just wish the dialogue had less swearing. I can't believe that even in these days that somone is unable to say a single sentence without swearing! So dreary, so boring. It just took the edge off for me in an otherwise excellent book.
January 1, 2020
Second in what seems to be a trilogy that’s not complete. Well done characters. Moral dilemmas woven with story and investigation into death of friend. This author is such an excellent writer- beautiful sentences- capturing of human nature, moments in nature- observance of time
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2020
Commonwealth Gold
Set in the run up to the commonwealth games 2014 McIlvanney depicts a Glasgow familiar to my recent past. As someone involved in this projects and a number of venues identified therein I was hooked line and sinker. Looking forward to concluding this trilogy.
Set in the run up to the commonwealth games 2014 McIlvanney depicts a Glasgow familiar to my recent past. As someone involved in this projects and a number of venues identified therein I was hooked line and sinker. Looking forward to concluding this trilogy.
March 23, 2024
This is Liam's second novel and it's ok. But his third and fourth books are excellent, the Quaker, and the Heretic. They are Historical crime and much more involved plot and character development. Looking forward to more.
December 11, 2017
A classic tell not show snoozefest.
September 9, 2018
Excellent writing bringing to life the day-to-day reality of sectarian conflict
November 16, 2019
Pretty good Scottish noir sort of book. Liked the characters especially Gerry Conway and the Glasgow setting.
July 4, 2020
More formulaic than 1st in the series (rival gangs, is a journalist's death murder or suicide), but still a well evoked sense of Glasgow and the failing newspaper industry.
July 9, 2020
Great writer -- tad too politically complicated for my taste, but ....
December 1, 2020
A good read
Like the Scotland based story line and can relate to where the some of the places are in the book
Like the Scotland based story line and can relate to where the some of the places are in the book
July 27, 2021
A very good story indeed.
October 12, 2021
Set in Glasgow in the newspaper world and the underworld of crime.
February 25, 2023
Could not get in to it .
Read
July 20, 2023DNF - abandoned early as I just couldn’t get into it
October 5, 2023
It was a good tartan noir. I will look for The Quaker to read soon.
October 24, 2024
An entertaining read and I did like the descriptive passages.
October 31, 2024
A very slow burner
December 13, 2024
First attempt to read a novel by this author, not impressed, the text is like a pinball bouncing around. You just don't care.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews