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When the Needle Drops
The Isle of Mull, three days before Christmas, 1998. Sergeant Ivor Punch is contacted by a frantic caller, Maggie May, about a missing pilot and plane. Respected classical musician Xander Lowry has vanished without a trace after taking off, impromptu and alone, in a Cessna Needle from the airfield of a local hotel.For Punch, this strange incident takes places on the tenth anniversary of the Lockerbie disaster, in which his brother was killed. Now aged 45, Punch is a loner who slaughters sheep to unwind and survives on a diet of whisky and The Faces vinyls, and the last thing he needs is to be reminded of the past.Then Lowry's body is found, propped up on a hillside - but no plane in sight. To make matters even more frustrating, Punch - more used to employing the amateur sleuth-like services of local accomplices Randy, a musician-come-forestry-worker, and the island's gothic undertaker, Dave the Grave - must entertain an overly-keen and bureaucratic new deputy, PC Cluny, despatched from Head Office. A little girl, Iris, goes missing, and soon after another body is found.And now effigies start appearing around the island - of Punch, Lowry, Iris, Charlie and others. A sinister plot is unfolding, holding the island in its grip, and all the evidence starts to point back to the start - to the elusive Maggie May and that first phone call to Sergeant Punch . . .
364 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2024
11 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 12, 2025
When The Needle Drops is a crime novel that's peppered with musical references. There's so many that I just felt bogged down with them all and at a loss at times. And as much as I liked the concept, I just couldn't quite connect to the story.
Overall it's a good read but just not for me.
Overall it's a good read but just not for me.
May 27, 2024
Musicians penning novels is nothing new. Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave have done it to considerable acclaim. Morrissey’s “unpolished turd” took a beating while Pete Townshend’s recent effort was middling. In Scotland, under his Momus monicker, Nick Currie has released six novels to date and Stuart David, formerly of Belle and Sebastian, has two to his name. Colin MacIntyre, better known for the last twenty plus years as Mull Historical Society, now adds a second to his own bibliography with When The Needle Drops (2024).
Although Ivor Punch, the copper at the centre of the novel is not a new creation (MacIntyre’s 2015 debut was titled, The Letters of Ivor Punch), this book is the first in a crime series dubbed The Mull Mysteries. Mull, out on the west coast of Scotland, is one of the largest islands in Britain though less densely populated than others. There’s a remoteness to its single track roads and small villages, and the prospect of a crime series set there is welcome, though it may in time have locals eyeing each other with increased suspicion as the crime rate creeps up.
Set in the week before Christmas in 1998, Punch is expecting another sleepy time of it, such is island life. But things are about to change when a child is reported missing, a musician disappears in an unscheduled flight from a local airfield, and strange effigies are found around the island. Could they be connected? That’s for Punch to find out.
The novel takes inspiration from the Great Mull Air Mystery, an unsolved case from 1975 where a musician took off in a solo night flight and promptly disappeared. Though his body was later found, in mysterious circumstances, neither the reason nor the plane have ever been found. MacIntyre takes the case’s lacunae and imagines his own backstory over a fictional instance of the mystery, overlapping it with his own subplots, and sending in his detective.
Billed as “tartan noir with a musical twist”, it’s certainly shot through with a passion for music. From Punch’s spinning of Rod Stewart records, the namedropping of bands no doubt drawn from MacIntyre’s own touring experiences, and nods to appearances on Jools Holland. We don’t have Chapters, but ‘Tracks’, split into Side A and Side B. That its plot also centres around musicians adds to the whole musical experience. But as far as the noir aspect goes, it probably comes down on the lighter side due to its frequent, though rarely dark, humour. There’s plenty of patter in the dialogue, which is often a joy.
Despite its contemporary-ish setting, its limited cast add to the remoteness of the place, and at times, even with a severed hand in play, I felt it had the aura of golden age cosiness. This may also be down to its people, often characterised with amusing nicknames, but to my mind in need of more than good banter to bring them to greater life on the page. Punch’s oft repeated catchphrase (‘And fuck’) is one that I can’t fathom, rhythmically or contextually, so I have no idea how it should be delivered.
Arguably, When The Needle Drops won’t fully satisfy seasoned readers of darker crime fiction (who like a dose of introspection and existentialism with their dead bodies), but it may well capture the curious reader looking to dip their toes in the genre. In this novel we visit a limited patch of locations (mostly Tobermory, Salen, and Calgary Bay), but as a setting Mull is definitely awash with interesting places for Punch’s future cases, and the local tourist board will no doubt be watching with interest. As it’s the first of a planned series, I’m sure MacIntyre’s plotting will improve with each effort, but my feeling is that this Punch needs a stronger hook.
Although Ivor Punch, the copper at the centre of the novel is not a new creation (MacIntyre’s 2015 debut was titled, The Letters of Ivor Punch), this book is the first in a crime series dubbed The Mull Mysteries. Mull, out on the west coast of Scotland, is one of the largest islands in Britain though less densely populated than others. There’s a remoteness to its single track roads and small villages, and the prospect of a crime series set there is welcome, though it may in time have locals eyeing each other with increased suspicion as the crime rate creeps up.
Set in the week before Christmas in 1998, Punch is expecting another sleepy time of it, such is island life. But things are about to change when a child is reported missing, a musician disappears in an unscheduled flight from a local airfield, and strange effigies are found around the island. Could they be connected? That’s for Punch to find out.
The novel takes inspiration from the Great Mull Air Mystery, an unsolved case from 1975 where a musician took off in a solo night flight and promptly disappeared. Though his body was later found, in mysterious circumstances, neither the reason nor the plane have ever been found. MacIntyre takes the case’s lacunae and imagines his own backstory over a fictional instance of the mystery, overlapping it with his own subplots, and sending in his detective.
Billed as “tartan noir with a musical twist”, it’s certainly shot through with a passion for music. From Punch’s spinning of Rod Stewart records, the namedropping of bands no doubt drawn from MacIntyre’s own touring experiences, and nods to appearances on Jools Holland. We don’t have Chapters, but ‘Tracks’, split into Side A and Side B. That its plot also centres around musicians adds to the whole musical experience. But as far as the noir aspect goes, it probably comes down on the lighter side due to its frequent, though rarely dark, humour. There’s plenty of patter in the dialogue, which is often a joy.
Despite its contemporary-ish setting, its limited cast add to the remoteness of the place, and at times, even with a severed hand in play, I felt it had the aura of golden age cosiness. This may also be down to its people, often characterised with amusing nicknames, but to my mind in need of more than good banter to bring them to greater life on the page. Punch’s oft repeated catchphrase (‘And fuck’) is one that I can’t fathom, rhythmically or contextually, so I have no idea how it should be delivered.
Arguably, When The Needle Drops won’t fully satisfy seasoned readers of darker crime fiction (who like a dose of introspection and existentialism with their dead bodies), but it may well capture the curious reader looking to dip their toes in the genre. In this novel we visit a limited patch of locations (mostly Tobermory, Salen, and Calgary Bay), but as a setting Mull is definitely awash with interesting places for Punch’s future cases, and the local tourist board will no doubt be watching with interest. As it’s the first of a planned series, I’m sure MacIntyre’s plotting will improve with each effort, but my feeling is that this Punch needs a stronger hook.
August 21, 2024
Should be 3.5
May 13, 2024
‘When The Needle Drops’ 🏴 by Colin MacIntyre
My stop on the book tour! Thank you @bwpublishing for the advanced copy & chance to particulate in this tour.
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It's the run-up to Christmas, 1998. On the Isle of Mull, Sergeant Ivor Punch is losing himself in his vinyl collection, a tragic anniversary and too much single malt whisky. But news of a missing child soon brings him back to his senses. And as word spreads of more strange disappearances, an aircraft vanishing from the sky and a famous classical musician gone with it, it seems a sinister plot holds the island in its grip.
Punch thought he knew the secrets of this place, its people and stories. Yet as a grisly trail of effigies and clues are discovered, he struggles to untangle past mysteries and find out what's really happening right under his nose. And time is fast running out for the policeman that locals call 'The Clock'.
.
I really enjoyed this tartan noir! A crime thriller that keeps you hooked from the beginning and being the first of the series, I can’t wait to read more!
It was atmospheric, descriptive and definitely had a lot going on. Having not long visited Mull I could just picture the beautiful settings and quirky island life.
I really loved the musical references throughout the book, it was personal to the author and I often found myself head bobbing away whilst reading along.
Sergeant Punch was a completing character to say the least! I loved his Scottish banter and how this stayed throughout the book!
My stop on the book tour! Thank you @bwpublishing for the advanced copy & chance to particulate in this tour.
.
It's the run-up to Christmas, 1998. On the Isle of Mull, Sergeant Ivor Punch is losing himself in his vinyl collection, a tragic anniversary and too much single malt whisky. But news of a missing child soon brings him back to his senses. And as word spreads of more strange disappearances, an aircraft vanishing from the sky and a famous classical musician gone with it, it seems a sinister plot holds the island in its grip.
Punch thought he knew the secrets of this place, its people and stories. Yet as a grisly trail of effigies and clues are discovered, he struggles to untangle past mysteries and find out what's really happening right under his nose. And time is fast running out for the policeman that locals call 'The Clock'.
.
I really enjoyed this tartan noir! A crime thriller that keeps you hooked from the beginning and being the first of the series, I can’t wait to read more!
It was atmospheric, descriptive and definitely had a lot going on. Having not long visited Mull I could just picture the beautiful settings and quirky island life.
I really loved the musical references throughout the book, it was personal to the author and I often found myself head bobbing away whilst reading along.
Sergeant Punch was a completing character to say the least! I loved his Scottish banter and how this stayed throughout the book!
June 20, 2024
Just before Christmas in 1998, Sergeant Ivor Punch receives a call from a woman reporting a missing plane, believed to have been piloted by celebrated musician Xander Lowry. On the Isle of Mull this is usually a quiet time of year, as well as being a bad time for Ivor- his brother died in the Lockerbie disaster & ten years on he struggles with his memories & his drinking.
I love Mull, which is what attracted me to the book. I struggled with the style of this book. The narrative with the sprinkling of song lyrics & references, the characters & their nicknames & trying to piece it together, nearly had me giving up. I'm glad I didn't because it turned into a good mystery by the end. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this unusual book. Sadly I doubt I'll be reading any more of the series.
I love Mull, which is what attracted me to the book. I struggled with the style of this book. The narrative with the sprinkling of song lyrics & references, the characters & their nicknames & trying to piece it together, nearly had me giving up. I'm glad I didn't because it turned into a good mystery by the end. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this unusual book. Sadly I doubt I'll be reading any more of the series.
May 6, 2024
Sucked me right in and wouldn't let me go. We follow Sergeant Ivor Punch on the Island of Mull, 10 years after the Lockerbie disaster. Effigy's are turning up on the island, a plane vanishes in the air along with the pilot. But things are not as they seem on this quiet wee island.
I loved it, there are a lot of musical references which I like more than I like Rod Stewart 😄 It all wraps up nicely in the end and I can't wait to read more from Colin. Fantastic book!
I loved it, there are a lot of musical references which I like more than I like Rod Stewart 😄 It all wraps up nicely in the end and I can't wait to read more from Colin. Fantastic book!
February 7, 2026
Book 373 - Colin MacIntyre - When the Needle Drops
The first in a series subtitled The Mull Mysteries Series set in Scotland. I really wanted to like it… I really wanted to wax lyrical about the story but instead I just found it a bit meh. Too many characters… too many introductions… too many red herrings… which in a good book wouldn’t be a problem.
Took me weeks to finish it…one of those times I wish I didn’t have my rule of ‘once I pick it up, I have to finish it’.
Sorry…just torture.
The first in a series subtitled The Mull Mysteries Series set in Scotland. I really wanted to like it… I really wanted to wax lyrical about the story but instead I just found it a bit meh. Too many characters… too many introductions… too many red herrings… which in a good book wouldn’t be a problem.
Took me weeks to finish it…one of those times I wish I didn’t have my rule of ‘once I pick it up, I have to finish it’.
Sorry…just torture.
September 21, 2024
Perhaps if I happened to be a fan of Rod Stewart I might have made a stronger connection with the protagonist. But, even though I stuck it out and read the whole book, I couldn't. Not every book is for every reader. (And, for the record, the swearing didn't bother me.)
September 23, 2024
This book seems to me to be very Flann O'Brien, with touches of Dylan Thomas as the crime is investigated in a Scottish island kind of way. The is a dark sombre undercurrent throughout. I found it hard to get into, but enjoyed the last 150 pages.
November 26, 2024
This began great. I enjoyed the humour, the setting, the characters, and yes, even the song references. However, it fell into a slump. The pacing slowed to a crawl and the author overly relied on the ostensibly 'humorous' misunderstandings--which began to grate near the end. The mystery itself was okay but became a little convoluted with the characters.
May 21, 2025
This book took a very long time to get warmed up after the initial energy. I was so close to taking it back to the library but am glad I stuck with it, although it could have been a lot shorter. Oaf and F@£?...
June 20, 2024
Really enjoyed this as could relate to all the places on the island, quite a twisty story.
December 22, 2024
I'm not a fan of the writing style of this book, a fairly run of the mill crime novel.
May 13, 2025
it was awful,it could of been good but all the music references made it hard to follow.
June 28, 2025
a dnf
December 7, 2025
In Scottish - Pure Dead Brilliant
Outstanding if somewhat complicated read, which also proves to be amazingly funny and at times heart breaking. Tremendous debut novel.
Outstanding if somewhat complicated read, which also proves to be amazingly funny and at times heart breaking. Tremendous debut novel.
February 1, 2026
Good solid read, your standard detective novel. Some interesting twists, based on a real event. Would probably read another book. (I preferthe authors music).
August 21, 2024
A really enjoyable book, well written twisty plot line .
Excellent quirky characters and gave an interesting and descriptive account of island life on Mull .
The author shows that not only is he an accomplished talented musician that he can also write a very good crime novel .
Punch the main focal point of the book is well crafted and intriguing character.
Hopefully there are more to come in this series
I will really need to have a trip to Mull .
Excellent quirky characters and gave an interesting and descriptive account of island life on Mull .
The author shows that not only is he an accomplished talented musician that he can also write a very good crime novel .
Punch the main focal point of the book is well crafted and intriguing character.
Hopefully there are more to come in this series
I will really need to have a trip to Mull .
October 27, 2024
A brilliant book for fans of Tartan Noir.
With Ivor Punch policing the Isle of Mull, a plane goes missing and effigies crop up across the island. Are they linked?
I really enjoyed spending more time with Punch after his introduction in MacIntyre's The Letters of Ivor Punch.
The book kept me engaged and the subtle musical references to Macintyre's musical persona, Mull Historical Society, made me chuckle.
Well worth a read.
With Ivor Punch policing the Isle of Mull, a plane goes missing and effigies crop up across the island. Are they linked?
I really enjoyed spending more time with Punch after his introduction in MacIntyre's The Letters of Ivor Punch.
The book kept me engaged and the subtle musical references to Macintyre's musical persona, Mull Historical Society, made me chuckle.
Well worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews