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The Ten Percent: A Scottish Undercover Police Officer’s Story
Simon McLean takes the reader on an often hilarious, sometimes scary, always fascinating journey through the ranks of the Scottish from his spell as a rookie constable in the hills and lochs of Argyll; through his career in Rothesay; and to his ultimate The Serious Crime Squad in Glasgow.
Once there, readers are taken into the squad room and ride along as terrorists are pursued, murderers brought to book and armed fugitives confronted; always peeking behind the veil of professionalism and order portrayed to the public.
This is a rare insight into the world of our plain-clothes officers who infiltrate and suppress the worst among us. The dealers, the shooters, the gangsters and the paedophiles; they need to fall by any means, and that’s a job best delivered by the few willing to do what’s THE TEN PERCENT.
Simon McLean tells ‘the truth, the whole truth and something like the truth’ and the result is a frank and fearless examination of the role of the police in an ever-changing Scotland. It is also by far the most entertaining account you’ll ever read of the varied realities of life as a Scottish policeman.
Once there, readers are taken into the squad room and ride along as terrorists are pursued, murderers brought to book and armed fugitives confronted; always peeking behind the veil of professionalism and order portrayed to the public.
This is a rare insight into the world of our plain-clothes officers who infiltrate and suppress the worst among us. The dealers, the shooters, the gangsters and the paedophiles; they need to fall by any means, and that’s a job best delivered by the few willing to do what’s THE TEN PERCENT.
Simon McLean tells ‘the truth, the whole truth and something like the truth’ and the result is a frank and fearless examination of the role of the police in an ever-changing Scotland. It is also by far the most entertaining account you’ll ever read of the varied realities of life as a Scottish policeman.
478 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
About the author
Simon McLean
3 books2 followersI spent much of my working life as a Scottish police officer, dealing with organised crime, drug enforcement, and the kind of cases that stay with you long after the paperwork is filed. Policing gave me a frontrow seat to human frailty, institutional pressure, and the uncomfortable truth that justice is rarely simple.
Now I write.
My first book, The Ten Percent: The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Something Like The Truth, reflects on policing, power, and the stories we tell ourselves about crime and punishment.
My novel Kintyre is crime fiction rooted in that same world. Set in western Scotland, it weaves together past and present, corruption and memory, and the long reach of unresolved truth. The landscapes are real. The emotional weight is real. The rest is fiction, mostly.
I founded Tartan Tales Media, a justice-led publishing platform focused on crime fiction, true crime, policing, and drug law reform.
I also host the Crime Time Inc podcast, where we explore organised crime, justice systems, and the realities behind the headlines.
I live in Scotland. I still ask awkward questions. And I still believe stories matter. All of our stories.
Now I write.
My first book, The Ten Percent: The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Something Like The Truth, reflects on policing, power, and the stories we tell ourselves about crime and punishment.
My novel Kintyre is crime fiction rooted in that same world. Set in western Scotland, it weaves together past and present, corruption and memory, and the long reach of unresolved truth. The landscapes are real. The emotional weight is real. The rest is fiction, mostly.
I founded Tartan Tales Media, a justice-led publishing platform focused on crime fiction, true crime, policing, and drug law reform.
I also host the Crime Time Inc podcast, where we explore organised crime, justice systems, and the realities behind the headlines.
I live in Scotland. I still ask awkward questions. And I still believe stories matter. All of our stories.
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