Parallel Lines

Gus Thoroughgood #1

by R.J. Mitchell

Parallel Lines is an edgy, fast-paced crime thriller set in the streets of Glasgow that tells the story of the deadly rivalry between Detective Sergeant Gus Thoroughgood and his criminal nemesis, Declan Meechan. With Meechan on the verge of complete control of Glasgow's lucrative drug trade after bludgeoning his rivals into bloody submission, Thoroughgood vows to be the cop that will bring the crime lord down. The lethal intensity of their conflict is heightened by the presence of Celine Lynott, the woman who broke Thoroughgood's heart ten years earlier, and looks set to do so all over again when she agrees to be Meechan's wife. Parallel Lines is a powerful and compelling story with a real sting in the tail. About the Author: R. J. Mitchell graduated from Glasgow University in July, 1989 with a Masters Degree in Medieval History before joining Strathclyde Police Service later that year. After a twelve-year Police career, in which he undertook a variety of uniform and plain clothes duties, he left to begin a new career as a sportswriter. He is currently a sportswriter with the Glasgow Evening Times. Publisher's website: http: //www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/titl...

Genres: Ebooks

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2010

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first novel in Mitchell's series that stars D.S. Gus Thoroughgood and D.C. Kenny Hardie. These two protagonists battle their arch enemy of the Glasgow underworld- Declan Meechan. A fantastic read that moves along at a very fast pace. The characters of Thoroughgood & Hardie make for an entertaining read with their constant banter. Plenty of action and adventure to be found along with the mystery that drives the novel. 5 stars out of 5 !! DO NOT MISS THIS SERIES !! (See review on second novel- "The Hurting" ) Mitchell is a writer we will be hearing from for many years ! Mitchell continues his tale in novel 2 -"The Hurting". Another fine story to be sure. Waiting to start third book of series when it comes out in Nov. 2013.

[David Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very gritty novel set in Glasgow, great characters however Gus Throughgood not a name I would choose for the lead detective. Grim with plenty of humour. A good read.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parallel Lines by R.J Mitchell is the first book in the DS Thoroughgood series and over the next three weeks I am reviewing this one and the other two, can't wait to publish all these reviews! These books are so good. The series is a crime thriller/police procedural one and set in Glasgow, Scotland in the shady criminal underworld with Declan Meehan wanting the total control off the drug trading and on the verge of getting it. On the otherside of things we meet DS Angus Thoroughgood, the copper whose aim in life is to bring Meehan down. Thoroughgood is determined to get Meehan and it isn't just about his criminal activities...for Thoroughgood this is personal. A decade earlier Thoroughgood lost the love of his life to Meehan and his hate has snowballed since. So when he sees a possibility of taking Meehan down nothing will stop him.
From the beginning of this book I was thrown headlong into the action and there is no let up. A story that reflects the mean side of Glasgow with an authenticity that shows the authors experience of his 12 years service in the Glasgow Police force. A book that does not balk in highlighting the violence and brutality of the city's criminal occupants. The violence is not gratuitous but real and it adds to the tension of this fast-paced thriller.
The characters along with the story have been so well fleshed out they jump out of the page. The realism is further cemented with all their flaws and complexities that come naturally with human beings, I was fascinated with them, even the gangsters have their own issues and these little details draw you in a little bit more and before you know it you are knee deep in the shady side of Glasgow with them.
A book in which the plot and the characters take hold in your mind and don't want to loosen their grip! All I can say is, thank goodness I have another two books to review, I don't need to leave Thoroughgooda world just yet.
Thanks to @damppebbles, @spitfiremedia and @MJPGroup for the book to write my review today.

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting police drama. I certainly hope that policing in Glasgow, or any city, is not as disjointed across districts as depicted in the novel. Gus Thoroughgood is investigating a series of crimes tied to crime lord, Declan Meecham. Meecham and Thoroughgood have a long standing rivalry over Celine. Both men have loved her, but she has yet to choose between them. After a rival in crime tries, and fails, to take Meecham out the body count starts to rise quickly and jurisdictional rivalry in the police service is making the police look ineffective in stemming the tide of violence. Add in a gang member who wants out, a seeming leak from the police and you have a recipe for some great action. I'm reluctant to call this a mystery as it's clear who's behind the violence, but more an issue of will he be caught, and finally get his due. It took a while to get into the novel, but what a great finish.

[paul doherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bore

Only managed half book before giving up. Just didn't grip me like similar authers like Paul finch or Ian ranking.

[Lynsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just adore things that are set in my home city of Glasgow. It makes it so much easier to imagine the characters and visualise each scene. Maybe I am slightly biased but I just think Glasgow works as the setting for gritty crime fiction, it’s just got that reputation doesn’t it. It’s a combination that definitely works in this series. DS Thoroughgood has a rivalry with the gangster Declan Meehan, but it’s more than just wanting to put him behind bars for all the drugs and violence, it’s personal. Ten years ago he fell head over heals for the beautiful Celine but he was in an accident and Declan swooped in and took his chance with Celine. Since then the grudge has built up till it’s all consuming and he now has a chance to take him down!

I really enjoyed the plot in the book, it was well developed and you can tell that the author knows he stuff. Which he should do as he spent 12 years in the Glasgow police force. Everything has an air of authenticity, the characters are engaging and complex and the end was just surprising and enthralling. On a side note can I have Meehan house please! It feels like a book that just gets Glasgow.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable thriller set in glasgow, the character development is fantastic, its got me hooked i can't wait to read the next one