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A Bad, Bad Place
Don't miss the must-read debut of the year - a murder mystery unlike any other...
What happened to the dog walker who found the body?
Glasgow, 1979.
Twelve-year-old Janey won’t take her dog, Sid Vicious, for a walk. Not anymore. It’s Sid’s fault she found the murdered woman.
Janey claims she can’t remember what she saw at the abandoned railway, but the police think she’s hiding something. And they’re not the only ones interested.
Fear and rumour rip through the tight-knit community of Possilpark. Janey and her nana, Maggie, are dragged into the hunt for a murderer. And Maggie’s struggle to keep her beloved granddaughter safe becomes ever more desperate.
Because Janey’s memories can’t stay hidden forever.
And neither can the killer…
What happened to the dog walker who found the body?
Glasgow, 1979.
Twelve-year-old Janey won’t take her dog, Sid Vicious, for a walk. Not anymore. It’s Sid’s fault she found the murdered woman.
Janey claims she can’t remember what she saw at the abandoned railway, but the police think she’s hiding something. And they’re not the only ones interested.
Fear and rumour rip through the tight-knit community of Possilpark. Janey and her nana, Maggie, are dragged into the hunt for a murderer. And Maggie’s struggle to keep her beloved granddaughter safe becomes ever more desperate.
Because Janey’s memories can’t stay hidden forever.
And neither can the killer…
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
March 17, 2026
3.5 ⭐
⭒❃.✮:▹ Glasgow, 1979: Twelve-year-old Janey Devine lived a normal life until her dog, Sid Vicious, led her to the corpse of Samantha Watson. Now, she can’t sleep at night, her nana is always worried about her, and Samantha’s dad, Billy “The Ghost” Watson, wouldn’t want to find any answers from her about his daughter’s death. The police think Janey is hiding something, and they’re right, but she can’t tell anyone. So her secret consumes her as fear, gossip, and distrust spread through the small community of Possilpark, all the while a killer is on the loose and lurking in the shadows.
◈━◈━◈━◈━◈
⭒❃.✮:▹ I honestly have no idea why this took me forever to read. It might be because of how much of a slow burn this was, and it didn’t get really interesting until the 45% mark, but regardless, it was still a good book!
I loved the writing! The story is told from Janey’s and her nana’s point-of-view, and the language and dialect were so immersive. Now, I don’t know how spot on it is with how the Scots speak, but it sounded pretty realistic to me. Not only that, but even the mundane was interesting, like the characters meeting up with friends or having a conversation with a coworker, which was written in a way to keep your eyes glued to the screen. I think it’s all thanks to how the author made the characters sound so realistic and relatable, like they are two normal people who have dealt with and are dealing with life and its tragedies.
As I said, the mystery aspect of the book was very slow, and I do think this book was longer than it needed to be, but it was still engaging enough for me to keep reading because I just had to know who killed Samantha. I put in my guess pretty early once a character was introduced, and even though I’m happy I was right, I’m a little disappointed because I was hoping for a jaw-dropping plot twist that would leave me staring at the wall in disbelief. Maybe I should stop watching Forensic Files. 😂
All in all, this was a really good book, and if you are looking for a mystery set in the 70s that keeps you wondering whodunnit, then I recommend it! 🤍
» Thank you to Soho Press for granting my wish to read this arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This book is now available! «
❗Content Warnings❗
Death, murder, blood, violence, and mentions sexual assault & drugs.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No
⭒❃.✮:▹ Glasgow, 1979: Twelve-year-old Janey Devine lived a normal life until her dog, Sid Vicious, led her to the corpse of Samantha Watson. Now, she can’t sleep at night, her nana is always worried about her, and Samantha’s dad, Billy “The Ghost” Watson, wouldn’t want to find any answers from her about his daughter’s death. The police think Janey is hiding something, and they’re right, but she can’t tell anyone. So her secret consumes her as fear, gossip, and distrust spread through the small community of Possilpark, all the while a killer is on the loose and lurking in the shadows.
◈━◈━◈━◈━◈
⭒❃.✮:▹ I honestly have no idea why this took me forever to read. It might be because of how much of a slow burn this was, and it didn’t get really interesting until the 45% mark, but regardless, it was still a good book!
I loved the writing! The story is told from Janey’s and her nana’s point-of-view, and the language and dialect were so immersive. Now, I don’t know how spot on it is with how the Scots speak, but it sounded pretty realistic to me. Not only that, but even the mundane was interesting, like the characters meeting up with friends or having a conversation with a coworker, which was written in a way to keep your eyes glued to the screen. I think it’s all thanks to how the author made the characters sound so realistic and relatable, like they are two normal people who have dealt with and are dealing with life and its tragedies.
As I said, the mystery aspect of the book was very slow, and I do think this book was longer than it needed to be, but it was still engaging enough for me to keep reading because I just had to know who killed Samantha. I put in my guess pretty early once a character was introduced, and even though I’m happy I was right, I’m a little disappointed because I was hoping for a jaw-dropping plot twist that would leave me staring at the wall in disbelief. Maybe I should stop watching Forensic Files. 😂
All in all, this was a really good book, and if you are looking for a mystery set in the 70s that keeps you wondering whodunnit, then I recommend it! 🤍
» Thank you to Soho Press for granting my wish to read this arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This book is now available! «
❗Content Warnings❗
Death, murder, blood, violence, and mentions sexual assault & drugs.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No
January 11, 2026
| ARC REVIEW | COMING: 12th Feb 2026
★ 4.5 ★
The year is 1979, in Possilpark, Glasgow. And twelve-year-old Janey Devine has just discovered the body of a woman. A woman who has been brutally murdered.
This story is told from two alternating perspectives:
Janey — who is trying to navigate the aftermath of this horrific day and the challenging emotions that have arisen as a result, and how she attempts to piece together what happened with the fragments of memories she hasn't repressed.
And Maggie — Janey's nana, who is trying her best to support Janey through the traumatic event while still navigating ghosts from her own past.
I thought this book was very cleverly written. In my opinion, the use of the Glaswegian dialect, (which although very occasionally threw me off) was written in an accessible and easy to read way, ensuring the characters remained cohesive with the story's location. I found this a charming way of bringing the characters more to life. Also, Frances Crawford's ability to write from a child's perspective is fantastic! I felt that she really mastered the "child's voice" which is a skill many authors struggle with. This meant that both perspectives were very distinct, making for an easily understandable transition throughout the change in perspectives every other chapter.
I found the focus on Janey's guilt and the story's underpinning theme of Catholicism very interesting. I found myself wondering if Janey's journal documenting the victim's life was her method of confession. A way of assuaging her guilt without having to speak it aloud. A very authentic portrayal of the guilt some real-life victims in Janey's position often feel.
I thought this book was fantastic! Just when I thought I could see where the story was leading, another twist happened. I was utterly gripped from start to finish. But the ending is what really got me thinking. I was devastated with how the book ended and am desperate to know which decision Maggie made. — The lack of closure regarding the justice evoked several feelings in me: frustration, sadness and anger. But after a think, I realised that this reflects how many victims' families feel when tragic events like these happen in real life. I don't know if this mirroring of emotions was something Frances Crawford deliberately aimed to achieve when writing this novel, but wow was it an effective way of ensuring the story plays on your mind!
I would 100% recommend this book if you like crime thrillers, and deeply layered characters that will keep you hooked throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley, Frances Crawford and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for gifting this eBook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
❀ Tia ❀
★ 4.5 ★
The year is 1979, in Possilpark, Glasgow. And twelve-year-old Janey Devine has just discovered the body of a woman. A woman who has been brutally murdered.
This story is told from two alternating perspectives:
Janey — who is trying to navigate the aftermath of this horrific day and the challenging emotions that have arisen as a result, and how she attempts to piece together what happened with the fragments of memories she hasn't repressed.
And Maggie — Janey's nana, who is trying her best to support Janey through the traumatic event while still navigating ghosts from her own past.
I thought this book was very cleverly written. In my opinion, the use of the Glaswegian dialect, (which although very occasionally threw me off) was written in an accessible and easy to read way, ensuring the characters remained cohesive with the story's location. I found this a charming way of bringing the characters more to life. Also, Frances Crawford's ability to write from a child's perspective is fantastic! I felt that she really mastered the "child's voice" which is a skill many authors struggle with. This meant that both perspectives were very distinct, making for an easily understandable transition throughout the change in perspectives every other chapter.
I found the focus on Janey's guilt and the story's underpinning theme of Catholicism very interesting. I found myself wondering if Janey's journal documenting the victim's life was her method of confession. A way of assuaging her guilt without having to speak it aloud. A very authentic portrayal of the guilt some real-life victims in Janey's position often feel.
I thought this book was fantastic! Just when I thought I could see where the story was leading, another twist happened. I was utterly gripped from start to finish. But the ending is what really got me thinking. I was devastated with how the book ended and am desperate to know which decision Maggie made. — The lack of closure regarding the justice evoked several feelings in me: frustration, sadness and anger. But after a think, I realised that this reflects how many victims' families feel when tragic events like these happen in real life. I don't know if this mirroring of emotions was something Frances Crawford deliberately aimed to achieve when writing this novel, but wow was it an effective way of ensuring the story plays on your mind!
I would 100% recommend this book if you like crime thrillers, and deeply layered characters that will keep you hooked throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley, Frances Crawford and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for gifting this eBook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
❀ Tia ❀
March 5, 2026
Janey has found a body.
I thought A Bad, Bad Place was brilliant. Firstly, the title is incredibly apt. It covers so many aspects of a bad, bad place; that might be the social, economic and living conditions of the people of Possilpark where the story is set, the actual location where Sid Vicious the dog and Janey find Samantha’s body, or the internal workings of many of the minds of those in the narrative. Because, whilst A Bad Bad Place is an intriguing murder mystery, it is so much more besides and a stunner of a story that considers community and many layers of guilt.
The authorial tone is just perfect. Frances Crawford uses an accessible accent so that the voices of the characters are heard clearly, bringing them to life. She employs just enough dialect to make Glasgow every bit as much a character as setting, and she is unafraid to use quite strong expletives in a manner that feels perfectly natural within the context of the narrative. It’s really quite difficult to accept that this is a debut novel and not a text written by an author who has been refining their craft for decades. I thought the way Samantha was the lynchpin for the action, being the means for the reader to discover the morality of the characters and to understand both era and setting even though she is not actually present, was inspired.
I loved the plot. I genuinely didn’t know quite how A Bad Bad Place might resolve itself and the fast pace created by alternating chapters between Janey and Nana meant that I was continuously drawn back to the book. I found the ending so thought provoking. As ever with this kind of story, it’s so tricky to say more without spoilers, but I found the exploration of the impact of crime in a community and the way it ripples across the lives of those in the area was handled with empathy, realism and deep understanding.
The characters are vivid, compelling and utterly engaging. Whilst so many are criminal in behaviour and the kind of people we might look down upon or fear, they are also incredibly human so that Frances Crawford looks at the dark underbelly of life and finds glimmers of humanity. Poverty, grief, religion and so on are all shown to shape us and affect our behaviours. I genuinely forgot I was reading a work of fiction because I was so invested in the people.
The themes of A Bad Bad Place are simply wonderful. Childhood innocence and its loss, corruption across several strata of society, domestic abuse, the impact of gangs, drugs and alcohol and the dismissive way young children and older women are treated should all combine into a bleak or grim read. But they don’t. Instead, A Bad Bad Place is a rich tapestry of life where resilience, courage and hope combine into a book that touches the heart of the reader as well as entertains them.
A Bad Bad Place is a superb book and one I recommend completely. Don’t miss it.
I thought A Bad, Bad Place was brilliant. Firstly, the title is incredibly apt. It covers so many aspects of a bad, bad place; that might be the social, economic and living conditions of the people of Possilpark where the story is set, the actual location where Sid Vicious the dog and Janey find Samantha’s body, or the internal workings of many of the minds of those in the narrative. Because, whilst A Bad Bad Place is an intriguing murder mystery, it is so much more besides and a stunner of a story that considers community and many layers of guilt.
The authorial tone is just perfect. Frances Crawford uses an accessible accent so that the voices of the characters are heard clearly, bringing them to life. She employs just enough dialect to make Glasgow every bit as much a character as setting, and she is unafraid to use quite strong expletives in a manner that feels perfectly natural within the context of the narrative. It’s really quite difficult to accept that this is a debut novel and not a text written by an author who has been refining their craft for decades. I thought the way Samantha was the lynchpin for the action, being the means for the reader to discover the morality of the characters and to understand both era and setting even though she is not actually present, was inspired.
I loved the plot. I genuinely didn’t know quite how A Bad Bad Place might resolve itself and the fast pace created by alternating chapters between Janey and Nana meant that I was continuously drawn back to the book. I found the ending so thought provoking. As ever with this kind of story, it’s so tricky to say more without spoilers, but I found the exploration of the impact of crime in a community and the way it ripples across the lives of those in the area was handled with empathy, realism and deep understanding.
The characters are vivid, compelling and utterly engaging. Whilst so many are criminal in behaviour and the kind of people we might look down upon or fear, they are also incredibly human so that Frances Crawford looks at the dark underbelly of life and finds glimmers of humanity. Poverty, grief, religion and so on are all shown to shape us and affect our behaviours. I genuinely forgot I was reading a work of fiction because I was so invested in the people.
The themes of A Bad Bad Place are simply wonderful. Childhood innocence and its loss, corruption across several strata of society, domestic abuse, the impact of gangs, drugs and alcohol and the dismissive way young children and older women are treated should all combine into a bleak or grim read. But they don’t. Instead, A Bad Bad Place is a rich tapestry of life where resilience, courage and hope combine into a book that touches the heart of the reader as well as entertains them.
A Bad Bad Place is a superb book and one I recommend completely. Don’t miss it.
March 18, 2026
The title of this book says it all. A ten year old girl is growing up in a bad, bad area of Glasgow in 1979. This has so much darkness and danger for an adult but imagine a child being exposed to the harshest conditions in order to exist with just her Grandmother trying to keep her safe and from harm.
A terrible thing has happened and we see the on going story evolve from the view points of the girl, Janey, and her Grandmother. So many times as I read I kept thinking “oh my God” how much worse will things get for this twosome. There was a hopelessness to their lives and yet together, along with Janey’s dog, Sid Vicious, they did survive.
At the end of the story you are left not knowing how it really ends, only knowing that the Grandmother is putting an end to her and Janey’s peril by making a decision that will remove this danger from their lives.
Very dark read but very well written and the characters were vivid. It was easy to understand both Janey’s actions and reactions and her Grandmother’s. The other characters, whose motives all seemed suspicious, left me guessing as to who could be trusted and who could not.
I won this ARC in a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you to the publisher Soho Press Inc. and the author, Frances Crawford.
A terrible thing has happened and we see the on going story evolve from the view points of the girl, Janey, and her Grandmother. So many times as I read I kept thinking “oh my God” how much worse will things get for this twosome. There was a hopelessness to their lives and yet together, along with Janey’s dog, Sid Vicious, they did survive.
At the end of the story you are left not knowing how it really ends, only knowing that the Grandmother is putting an end to her and Janey’s peril by making a decision that will remove this danger from their lives.
Very dark read but very well written and the characters were vivid. It was easy to understand both Janey’s actions and reactions and her Grandmother’s. The other characters, whose motives all seemed suspicious, left me guessing as to who could be trusted and who could not.
I won this ARC in a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you to the publisher Soho Press Inc. and the author, Frances Crawford.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Bad, Bad Place is a good, good book. Actually, scratch that, because it's not merely good, it's bloody brilliant. It's crime fiction done different, and that's what makes it stand out. How is it done different, I hear you cry. Well, instead of being told from the point of view of the police tasked with investigating the murder, it's told from the POV of the child who discovered the body, and her nana, Maggie. 🐕🦺
Meet wee Janey, who is 12 years old, and, had the misfortune of finding the body of a young woman, whilst out walking her dog. Actually, it was said dog, Sid Vicious (I kid you not) who found the deceased. 🐕🦺
From this point on we follow Janey as she becomes more and more withdrawn. The trauma of her discovery is apparent, as she tries to reassemble her memories of that day. 🐕🦺
Maggie's POV sheds more light on how Janey is coping, and gives us the family's backstory. 🐕🦺
Set in Glasgow in the late 1970's, A Bad, Bad Place is gritty and dark, but there is a black humour within. The characters are well fleshed out, and most of them are likeable. 🐕🦺
I loved this book. It was, hands down, one of my favourite books this year.
Thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Meet wee Janey, who is 12 years old, and, had the misfortune of finding the body of a young woman, whilst out walking her dog. Actually, it was said dog, Sid Vicious (I kid you not) who found the deceased. 🐕🦺
From this point on we follow Janey as she becomes more and more withdrawn. The trauma of her discovery is apparent, as she tries to reassemble her memories of that day. 🐕🦺
Maggie's POV sheds more light on how Janey is coping, and gives us the family's backstory. 🐕🦺
Set in Glasgow in the late 1970's, A Bad, Bad Place is gritty and dark, but there is a black humour within. The characters are well fleshed out, and most of them are likeable. 🐕🦺
I loved this book. It was, hands down, one of my favourite books this year.
Thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
September 18, 2025
Received a copy of this book from someone who attended Harrogate Crime Writing Festival. It took me a while to pick it up but when I did, I couldn’t put it down. The story hooked me instantly, and I loved how it opened up with details of what Janey had seen, whilst still keeping some mystery. I hooked on to ‘who dunnit’ the second we met them, but still the story had me questioning it constantly.
My only critique is it felt, at times, that the story dragged a little. It could have been about 50 pages shorter and the ending felt a little rushed. That being said, I liked the open-ended feeling of it.
My only critique is it felt, at times, that the story dragged a little. It could have been about 50 pages shorter and the ending felt a little rushed. That being said, I liked the open-ended feeling of it.
February 13, 2026
From its opening to the final pages, this was a warm and poignant story. The crime that starts events is, as you’d expect, shocking…but it’s what happens afterwards that really got me hooked.
When our main character - Janey - is walking her dog (the wonderfully named Sid Vicious) she stumbles across a dead body. The victim is the young daughter of a local man rumoured to be involved in gang activity. Janey, naturally, is affected by this…but a lot of that is to do with what she’s not told people.
Janey lives with her nana, a woman who has her own secrets. The pair are getting by, but their background and experiences shape their interactions with all involved. Throughout the book we can see the strong sense of community around Janey, and I liked the fact that the key focus is not the murderer but those left behind.
I found the two voices distinctive, and the contrast in their experiences really impacted me as I was reading. Even though a number of the characters are not particularly pleasant, they are sympathetically presented and it’s hard not to feel compassion for them. I was not surprised by the identity of the killer, and though it might have been a neat ending to have everything resolved it felt more true to life to leave us wondering how things would end.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
When our main character - Janey - is walking her dog (the wonderfully named Sid Vicious) she stumbles across a dead body. The victim is the young daughter of a local man rumoured to be involved in gang activity. Janey, naturally, is affected by this…but a lot of that is to do with what she’s not told people.
Janey lives with her nana, a woman who has her own secrets. The pair are getting by, but their background and experiences shape their interactions with all involved. Throughout the book we can see the strong sense of community around Janey, and I liked the fact that the key focus is not the murderer but those left behind.
I found the two voices distinctive, and the contrast in their experiences really impacted me as I was reading. Even though a number of the characters are not particularly pleasant, they are sympathetically presented and it’s hard not to feel compassion for them. I was not surprised by the identity of the killer, and though it might have been a neat ending to have everything resolved it felt more true to life to leave us wondering how things would end.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
April 2, 2026
Fantastic, loved this book.
Not the usual rubbish about growing up in Glasgow!
Some authors have a tick list of negatives to exaggerate; sectarianism, tick
poverty, tick
domestic violence, tick
misogyny, tick
All these things exist & are explored in this book, but in the realistic way most of us experienced them. No exploitation or glamorising, just how they were low level part of life & the ways ordinary people got on with things.
Characters felt so familar for me. Definitely took me back to my childhood
Not the usual rubbish about growing up in Glasgow!
Some authors have a tick list of negatives to exaggerate; sectarianism, tick
poverty, tick
domestic violence, tick
misogyny, tick
All these things exist & are explored in this book, but in the realistic way most of us experienced them. No exploitation or glamorising, just how they were low level part of life & the ways ordinary people got on with things.
Characters felt so familar for me. Definitely took me back to my childhood
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars rounded up
Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and I had super high hopes for it.
I admire Frances. She was 60 when she graduated with MLitt (Distinction) in Creative Writing from Glasgow University, which then led to this book. She is proof that you don't have to do everything by the time you're 30, that success can come at any age.
The POV of a grandchild and grandmother, two ends of the spectrum; there are other characters but these are your two main players and they're so interesting. The other characters are more background, only there to move the main story along, which is fine because they do that very well. I don't think I've ever read a thriller or crime novel in the view of a child, maybe we don't like to think of children being involved in things like murders, but I think it gives an interesting perspective of it. Which then contrasts with the grandmother's viewpoint.
I think having a child's viewpoint makes it all the harder to read about. Thrillers are my most read genre and I watch a lot of true crime programmes and so, to a certain extent, I'm a bit blasé when it comes to facing fictional murder, it's not all that shocking to me anymore. But having a child find the body and then deal with the aftermath, it brings it home just how traumatic it can be and in a roundabout way, made it more thrilling to read.
I like that she's made Janey write down what happened to her and how she's feeling in a scrapbook as opposed to drawn-out narrative. I feel it would have felt unrealistic for a girl not yet a teenager to be happy to tell adults everything. But it's believable that she may keep some sort of diary or journal, and it felt like an organic way to tell that part of the story.
It is written in a Glaswegian dialect and generally speaking, I don't like books written in dialects or accents because I find they take your focus away from the story. It did take me some getting used to because there's terms I don't understand, however I do love the Scottish accent (I know that's a bit generic because there are many different Scottish accents), and it really helped add further depth to he characters and their surroundings.
Yes it's a crime novel, yes there's a murdered woman, it's thrilling, I get that. But for me, that aspect is almost second best to how Frances has constructed this story around it. It's more about family and friends, your community, what you would do to protect your loved ones, working through trauma etc. that just so happens to have a body underneath it all.
One thing I did enjoy was there wasn't a stereotypical, caricature, pantomime idea of a villain. It all felt very real which made it more tense because it feels like it could be anyone.
It's set in the 1970s which means there are slightly more unsavoury elements to it, themes and actions that would have been acceptable at the time but unpleasant by today's standards, but it's important she's added them.
I would have liked a clearer ending. I don't mind an open-ended ending generally, but not in thrillers, as I want to know if the goodies win or if the baddies get their comeuppance etc. It's a perfectly enjoyable ending but I just wanted that final thing tied up.
All in all, this is a fantastic, thrilling debut and I cannot wait for what she decides to do next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and I had super high hopes for it.
I admire Frances. She was 60 when she graduated with MLitt (Distinction) in Creative Writing from Glasgow University, which then led to this book. She is proof that you don't have to do everything by the time you're 30, that success can come at any age.
The POV of a grandchild and grandmother, two ends of the spectrum; there are other characters but these are your two main players and they're so interesting. The other characters are more background, only there to move the main story along, which is fine because they do that very well. I don't think I've ever read a thriller or crime novel in the view of a child, maybe we don't like to think of children being involved in things like murders, but I think it gives an interesting perspective of it. Which then contrasts with the grandmother's viewpoint.
I think having a child's viewpoint makes it all the harder to read about. Thrillers are my most read genre and I watch a lot of true crime programmes and so, to a certain extent, I'm a bit blasé when it comes to facing fictional murder, it's not all that shocking to me anymore. But having a child find the body and then deal with the aftermath, it brings it home just how traumatic it can be and in a roundabout way, made it more thrilling to read.
I like that she's made Janey write down what happened to her and how she's feeling in a scrapbook as opposed to drawn-out narrative. I feel it would have felt unrealistic for a girl not yet a teenager to be happy to tell adults everything. But it's believable that she may keep some sort of diary or journal, and it felt like an organic way to tell that part of the story.
It is written in a Glaswegian dialect and generally speaking, I don't like books written in dialects or accents because I find they take your focus away from the story. It did take me some getting used to because there's terms I don't understand, however I do love the Scottish accent (I know that's a bit generic because there are many different Scottish accents), and it really helped add further depth to he characters and their surroundings.
Yes it's a crime novel, yes there's a murdered woman, it's thrilling, I get that. But for me, that aspect is almost second best to how Frances has constructed this story around it. It's more about family and friends, your community, what you would do to protect your loved ones, working through trauma etc. that just so happens to have a body underneath it all.
One thing I did enjoy was there wasn't a stereotypical, caricature, pantomime idea of a villain. It all felt very real which made it more tense because it feels like it could be anyone.
It's set in the 1970s which means there are slightly more unsavoury elements to it, themes and actions that would have been acceptable at the time but unpleasant by today's standards, but it's important she's added them.
I would have liked a clearer ending. I don't mind an open-ended ending generally, but not in thrillers, as I want to know if the goodies win or if the baddies get their comeuppance etc. It's a perfectly enjoyable ending but I just wanted that final thing tied up.
All in all, this is a fantastic, thrilling debut and I cannot wait for what she decides to do next.
April 12, 2026
Young Janey finds a mutilated dead body. She’s treated none too kindly by the police. This, paired with her general fear of the police, makes her decide to leave out some details of what she finds. There’s also a block of time that she just can’t remember. The victim is the daughter of an organized crime leader, who becomes friendly with Janey and her Nan. Janey gets swept up in all manner of events related to the murder as she tries to figure out who she can trust and who the murderer is. The story takes place in Glasgow, in 1979. While I had trouble following some of the dialect, there is a very helpful glossary of “Glesga patter”. Janey is a resilient, resourceful girl and her Nan is a loving caregiver with her own secrets.
April 6, 2026
Signed physical copy and Audible
Absolutely wow, such a well written book, immersed in Possil of 1979, full of insider nods to the area and beautifully told through Janey and her nana Maggie.
Such an unusual take to have the 'dog walker' who finds the dead body as the central character but a really important angle to explore the story and the aftermath through their experience.
Notable mention for the narrators who brought an extra richness and dimension to the voices of Janey, Maggie and the other characters. Tho I part read and part listened, I found I really enjoyed hearing the story.
Absolutely wow, such a well written book, immersed in Possil of 1979, full of insider nods to the area and beautifully told through Janey and her nana Maggie.
Such an unusual take to have the 'dog walker' who finds the dead body as the central character but a really important angle to explore the story and the aftermath through their experience.
Notable mention for the narrators who brought an extra richness and dimension to the voices of Janey, Maggie and the other characters. Tho I part read and part listened, I found I really enjoyed hearing the story.
April 5, 2026
Loved the relationship between the 2 main protagonists - Janey and her grandmother.
The “whodunnit” was interesting as there were reasons for it to be anyone. Kept me intrigued.
The “whodunnit” was interesting as there were reasons for it to be anyone. Kept me intrigued.
March 24, 2026
Just when you think crime writers have explored every possible plot scenario, along comes this debutante novelist (in her sixties!) to show you there’s still gold to be unearthed. I heard Alexander McCall Smith say that crime novels are all about place and I agree (think Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, etc,), but I think era can add to the scene (think Sue Grafton). Here the place is Possilpark, Glasgow and the year is 1979. I was riveted not just by the two main characters, 12 year old Janey and her Nana, Maggie, but also by the supporting cast - Billy Watson, Gibby, Lulu and many more. Everything rang true - the tight knit community of the tower blocks, the distrust of “the polis” (often deserved), the desperation of many in the Thatcher era, the dreary pubs, the unloved precincts. Yes, I did pick the murderer about halfway through but it didn’t detract from being caught up in the dilemma of Janey, who didn’t know who to believe. I’m sorry if some readers allowed the Glasgow speak to put them off. I found it made the whole thing more believable and touching. I just hope Frances Crawford has many more stories in her.
March 29, 2026
This is a beautifully written, heartbreaking book. Jumping between the perspectives of Nana and 12 year old Janey, the central crime of the book is the instigating incident for a book that explores, class, family, and women's issues. I listened to the book and the actors reading were incredible. (Be forewarned that the accents are very strong and may be hard for American ears). It reminds me of To Kill a Mockingbird a bit. I loved it and highly recommend it.
March 8, 2026
I was lucky enough to attend crime fiction festival, Bay Tales, last week and heard Frances Crawford discuss the book on a fabulous panel discussion with other debut authors in the genre. Frances was very real, very funny & a bit punk rock. I was inspired by her story.
The author found her inspiration in stories of the unfortunate people who happen upon a body, who appear in the 1st paragraph of an article, and whose stories end there.
So, what happened to the dog walker?
A Bad, Bad Place is an own voices story set in a working class community in North Glasgow in the 70s.
The POV flip-flops between a child and her nana. 12-year-old, Janey Devine, has had a tough life. As a baby, she was the only survivor of a gas explosion that killed her family. So she’s brought up by her nana, Maggie, who has herself has had a hard time: survivor of serious DV and picking up the pieces with little Janey after the explosion. A 3rd, non-speaking, scene-stealing role is taken by Sid Vicious, Janey’s dog.
The community of Possilpark is rocked by the discovery of a mutilated body at the abandoned railway. No-one is more affected than Janey, who made the grisly discovery. She retreats into herself and Maggie is at a loss what to do. Janey is also raging at, & rejecting, Sid Vicious as she sees him as reason she found the body.
Suspicion falls on the father of the dead woman as he has links to organised crime. Janey feels a connection to the man through his deceased daughter and intuits he isn’t involved. But who is? Janey could be in danger. Can she unlock her memories of what happened that fateful day?
I loved Janey and Maggie, and the non-sentimental way that I was led to love them. Sid Vicious is the goodest boy.
The strength of community comes through strongly and there is real affection for the people living in Possilpark, and the way so many of them will go out of their way for each other- even if it’s sometimes a little unorthodox.
When I finished I realised just how emotionally connected I felt to the characters, including Samantha- the deceased. I loved the respect given to her, through Janey, and the way she was given life in the story even in death.
The author found her inspiration in stories of the unfortunate people who happen upon a body, who appear in the 1st paragraph of an article, and whose stories end there.
So, what happened to the dog walker?
A Bad, Bad Place is an own voices story set in a working class community in North Glasgow in the 70s.
The POV flip-flops between a child and her nana. 12-year-old, Janey Devine, has had a tough life. As a baby, she was the only survivor of a gas explosion that killed her family. So she’s brought up by her nana, Maggie, who has herself has had a hard time: survivor of serious DV and picking up the pieces with little Janey after the explosion. A 3rd, non-speaking, scene-stealing role is taken by Sid Vicious, Janey’s dog.
The community of Possilpark is rocked by the discovery of a mutilated body at the abandoned railway. No-one is more affected than Janey, who made the grisly discovery. She retreats into herself and Maggie is at a loss what to do. Janey is also raging at, & rejecting, Sid Vicious as she sees him as reason she found the body.
Suspicion falls on the father of the dead woman as he has links to organised crime. Janey feels a connection to the man through his deceased daughter and intuits he isn’t involved. But who is? Janey could be in danger. Can she unlock her memories of what happened that fateful day?
I loved Janey and Maggie, and the non-sentimental way that I was led to love them. Sid Vicious is the goodest boy.
The strength of community comes through strongly and there is real affection for the people living in Possilpark, and the way so many of them will go out of their way for each other- even if it’s sometimes a little unorthodox.
When I finished I realised just how emotionally connected I felt to the characters, including Samantha- the deceased. I loved the respect given to her, through Janey, and the way she was given life in the story even in death.
March 1, 2026
Well that was different.
And by that,I mean good different.
I really liked the two main characters that the story revolved around ,and the other people that came in and out of their lives were equally well imagined
This book was cleverly plotted, and the only reason I've removed a star is at times the story felt like it slowed down a bit too much before picking up again.
A special mention must go to Sid Vicious, because who wouldn't want a dog like that 🤔
And by that,I mean good different.
I really liked the two main characters that the story revolved around ,and the other people that came in and out of their lives were equally well imagined
This book was cleverly plotted, and the only reason I've removed a star is at times the story felt like it slowed down a bit too much before picking up again.
A special mention must go to Sid Vicious, because who wouldn't want a dog like that 🤔
March 8, 2026
Janey, 12 years old and growing up as a working class kid in late 70’s Glasgow, is walking her dog when she finds the body of a murdered woman.
She and her nana, Maggie, must now navigate the fallout of this shocking and brutal discovery - how this will affect Janey, Maggie, the family of the deceased woman and the wider community.
Janey’s childhood is over in an instant as she is sucked into a whirlwind of police interviews and manipulation by the adults around her. Who can she trust? Is the murderer out there, waiting for her? Will anyone find out about the bad thing she did that day, that she’s pretending to forget?
A truly tender and touching crime novel which gives voices to often overlooked characters - a young girl, whose thoughts and cries for help are twisted. An older woman, whose fears and secrets are dismissed. A working class community, trying their best to get by, rocked by the horrific discovery yet aware of the notorious criminal family that looms over them.
The story is told from alternating points of view - Janey’s story and the perspective of her nana. I found the contrast in their language, thoughts and feelings so interesting to navigate, and how childlike Janey felt in parts where I suspected other adults were manipulating her but she saw them naively as trying to help.
A stunner of a debut which will stay with me long after I’ve put it down.
She and her nana, Maggie, must now navigate the fallout of this shocking and brutal discovery - how this will affect Janey, Maggie, the family of the deceased woman and the wider community.
Janey’s childhood is over in an instant as she is sucked into a whirlwind of police interviews and manipulation by the adults around her. Who can she trust? Is the murderer out there, waiting for her? Will anyone find out about the bad thing she did that day, that she’s pretending to forget?
A truly tender and touching crime novel which gives voices to often overlooked characters - a young girl, whose thoughts and cries for help are twisted. An older woman, whose fears and secrets are dismissed. A working class community, trying their best to get by, rocked by the horrific discovery yet aware of the notorious criminal family that looms over them.
The story is told from alternating points of view - Janey’s story and the perspective of her nana. I found the contrast in their language, thoughts and feelings so interesting to navigate, and how childlike Janey felt in parts where I suspected other adults were manipulating her but she saw them naively as trying to help.
A stunner of a debut which will stay with me long after I’ve put it down.
March 20, 2026
Funny and relatable, heartbreaking and anger inducing. A beautiful book
March 16, 2026
Absolutely loved this book!
March 14, 2026
Absolutely tremendous!! I miss Glasgow!!
March 12, 2026
Oh I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Being Scottish myself, it was nice to read a book that has Scottish dialect throughout and recognising the names of places in Glasgow and the surrounding areas. Definitely recommend!
February 18, 2026
When 12 year old Janey Devine and her dog Sid Vicious find the mutilated body of a young woman on a disused railway track, it's all that anyone in her area of Glasgow are talking about for weeks, particularly as the murdered woman was the daughter of one of the area's supposed crime bosses. She's determined to find more out about Samantha's life and in doing so Janey starts to find herself in danger, especially as she can't remember large chunks of the day she found the body. This being 1979, therapy isn't really a thing yet and even the police don't care about finding the real killer as long as Samantha's Dad, Billy Watson, is somehow implicated too. Before long Janey and her Nana are involved with Billy and his shady dealings, someone is following Janey and the police have done little except traumatise her and catch the wrong guy. Will Janey remember that day on the Dummy Railway before someone else gets hurt?
I really enjoyed this book, and it did remind me of The List of Suspicious Things, only in Glasgow and a bit more violent. Janey doesn't really understand what she has seen and struggles to process it as even the GP and police just treat her as if she needs to move on and forget about it, which she obviously cannot. She clearly has a lot of trauma from the day and her Nana, well meaning and helpful as she is, doesn't know how to help. She's lost her daughter, just as Billy Watson has, and although she doesn't like what he represents, she understands his grief. The character building is brilliant, and I really loved the audiobook narrated by Bobby Rainsbury and Brede McDermott as It brought the Scottish slang alive even more. We have the two narratives, of Nana and Janey, one who has seen too much over a long life and the other who is very naive. Janey is trying to basically solve the murder so that she can feel safe again and Nana is trying to keep Janey safe in a way that she didn't manage with her daughter. The book ends without everything fully resolved, but you can likely guess what would happen next, and it definitely creates a morality discussion point for the bookclubs out there! It's a brilliant debut with plenty of twists and turns, some hard-hitting topics handled well and a glimpse into how our approaches to trauma have changed in the last 40 years.
I really enjoyed this book, and it did remind me of The List of Suspicious Things, only in Glasgow and a bit more violent. Janey doesn't really understand what she has seen and struggles to process it as even the GP and police just treat her as if she needs to move on and forget about it, which she obviously cannot. She clearly has a lot of trauma from the day and her Nana, well meaning and helpful as she is, doesn't know how to help. She's lost her daughter, just as Billy Watson has, and although she doesn't like what he represents, she understands his grief. The character building is brilliant, and I really loved the audiobook narrated by Bobby Rainsbury and Brede McDermott as It brought the Scottish slang alive even more. We have the two narratives, of Nana and Janey, one who has seen too much over a long life and the other who is very naive. Janey is trying to basically solve the murder so that she can feel safe again and Nana is trying to keep Janey safe in a way that she didn't manage with her daughter. The book ends without everything fully resolved, but you can likely guess what would happen next, and it definitely creates a morality discussion point for the bookclubs out there! It's a brilliant debut with plenty of twists and turns, some hard-hitting topics handled well and a glimpse into how our approaches to trauma have changed in the last 40 years.
September 3, 2025
A Bad, Bad Place is the story of the fallout from a murder. 12-year-old Janey discovers the mutilated body of a woman while walking her dog, and the months following this are told through the eyes of Janey and her Nana.
Set in the late 70’s in Scotland, the tale is built around the mystery of who killed Samantha, but as it is told by Janey and her Nana it beautifully shows the wider consequences of that one event. We’re introduced to the whole spectrum of society, from ordinary people to thieves to gang leaders.
This was an intriguing read, and although it took me a few pages to get into it, once I was hooked I didn’t want to put it down. This is the first crime book I’ve read with the majority told through the eyes of a child, and it was a refreshing change. The impact of the murder on Janey’s relationships with everyone was very well done, and Nana’s struggles to bring up a child and protect her while dealing with her own grief and secrets are heartbreaking at times.
All the characters felt very real with none of the cartoon villains you sometimes get in crime books, and Janey and Nana’s voices were clearly distinguishable. The end left me wanting to know more, but not in a frustrated way and I feel like that was the perfect place to leave it. Although there isn’t a lot of high action is this book, it is full of raw emotion and exploration of what it means to be a community.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Set in the late 70’s in Scotland, the tale is built around the mystery of who killed Samantha, but as it is told by Janey and her Nana it beautifully shows the wider consequences of that one event. We’re introduced to the whole spectrum of society, from ordinary people to thieves to gang leaders.
This was an intriguing read, and although it took me a few pages to get into it, once I was hooked I didn’t want to put it down. This is the first crime book I’ve read with the majority told through the eyes of a child, and it was a refreshing change. The impact of the murder on Janey’s relationships with everyone was very well done, and Nana’s struggles to bring up a child and protect her while dealing with her own grief and secrets are heartbreaking at times.
All the characters felt very real with none of the cartoon villains you sometimes get in crime books, and Janey and Nana’s voices were clearly distinguishable. The end left me wanting to know more, but not in a frustrated way and I feel like that was the perfect place to leave it. Although there isn’t a lot of high action is this book, it is full of raw emotion and exploration of what it means to be a community.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
January 8, 2026
What a remarkable book. This is a gritty, coming of age whodunit set in 1970s Glasgow.
The story is told through a Dual Narrative: Janey and her Nanna and guardian, Maggie. When Janey discovers the murdered body of a young woman whilst out walking their dog Sid Vicious, she’s left with half a memory of the traumatic event and has to figure out who murdered poor Samantha Watson without giving away any secrets. Her nanna is worried sick and tries to help her whilst nursing her own trauma and secrets. To complicate matters, the victim was the daughter of the local gangster and wants Janey and her Nanna to help him too. As the story and mystery unfolds, Janey regains her memory and confidence to help recover her memories and help Samantha Watson.
The author created such an immersive portrait of 1970s Glasgow. I loved the Scottish dialect, the working class community and the host of side characters of Possilpark. Heartbreaking in parts, but also full of warmth and humour. Janey was an amazing character, I wanted to reach into the book and hug her & the dog. She provided such insightful and innocent observations of the kindness of friendship alongside the bleak poverty and harsh life in 1970s Glasgow.
What a fantastic debut! Themes of prejudice, poverty, trauma & the grittiness of the working class. Gave me Angela’s Ashes/List of Suspicious Things/Adrian Mole vibes. All the stars.
The story is told through a Dual Narrative: Janey and her Nanna and guardian, Maggie. When Janey discovers the murdered body of a young woman whilst out walking their dog Sid Vicious, she’s left with half a memory of the traumatic event and has to figure out who murdered poor Samantha Watson without giving away any secrets. Her nanna is worried sick and tries to help her whilst nursing her own trauma and secrets. To complicate matters, the victim was the daughter of the local gangster and wants Janey and her Nanna to help him too. As the story and mystery unfolds, Janey regains her memory and confidence to help recover her memories and help Samantha Watson.
The author created such an immersive portrait of 1970s Glasgow. I loved the Scottish dialect, the working class community and the host of side characters of Possilpark. Heartbreaking in parts, but also full of warmth and humour. Janey was an amazing character, I wanted to reach into the book and hug her & the dog. She provided such insightful and innocent observations of the kindness of friendship alongside the bleak poverty and harsh life in 1970s Glasgow.
What a fantastic debut! Themes of prejudice, poverty, trauma & the grittiness of the working class. Gave me Angela’s Ashes/List of Suspicious Things/Adrian Mole vibes. All the stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Bad, Bad Place is a good, good book!
Suspense, intrigue, and lots of heart in the community...oh, and a dog called Sid Vicious!
When I heard this book being compared to The List of Suspicious Things, I knew I had to read it!
Set in Glasgow, young Janey stumbles across a body when walking her dog. Traumatised by events, she sets about trying to find out who did it, as well as trying to honour the memory of the girl she found.
Living with her nan Maggie Devine, following a devastating event in the past, nana also battles with deep buried secrets while overcome with absolute love for her little Janey. All she wants to do is keep her safe but who can you trust in Possilpark? Among the neighbourly support and tight-knit community, rumours are still rife and fear is among them.
The story is told by nana and Janey and the switch between the two characters really conveys the adult/child voices perfectly. There is something very heartwarming about them and you quickly become invested in what's going to happen. There are some funny moments, especially when Sid Vicious is about! But then there are some heartbreaking moments and you always want the very best for those characters you take into your heart. The tension and suspense that builds at times is so powerful, it becomes a book you can't stop reading.
Out 12 February 2026 and I'd say it's definitely one to add to your TBR list.
Suspense, intrigue, and lots of heart in the community...oh, and a dog called Sid Vicious!
When I heard this book being compared to The List of Suspicious Things, I knew I had to read it!
Set in Glasgow, young Janey stumbles across a body when walking her dog. Traumatised by events, she sets about trying to find out who did it, as well as trying to honour the memory of the girl she found.
Living with her nan Maggie Devine, following a devastating event in the past, nana also battles with deep buried secrets while overcome with absolute love for her little Janey. All she wants to do is keep her safe but who can you trust in Possilpark? Among the neighbourly support and tight-knit community, rumours are still rife and fear is among them.
The story is told by nana and Janey and the switch between the two characters really conveys the adult/child voices perfectly. There is something very heartwarming about them and you quickly become invested in what's going to happen. There are some funny moments, especially when Sid Vicious is about! But then there are some heartbreaking moments and you always want the very best for those characters you take into your heart. The tension and suspense that builds at times is so powerful, it becomes a book you can't stop reading.
Out 12 February 2026 and I'd say it's definitely one to add to your TBR list.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely brilliant, a fantastic debut.
Normally the dog walker who finds the body is only given a few lines, but this whole book is about a little girl who unfortunately discovers a dead woman. It follows the aftermath of the discovery and how much it affects Janey and her nana Maggie.
Set in a Glasgow scheme, the book vividly captures working class life - hardship, nosey neighbours, everyone living on top of each other. But it also shows the friendships and community. The references throughout give a real sense of time and place.
Janey's character is perfect, sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking. Maggie is a class act and made me feel nostalgic for my own grandmother. The characters are relatable and deeply authentic.
It was a pleasure to read.
Normally the dog walker who finds the body is only given a few lines, but this whole book is about a little girl who unfortunately discovers a dead woman. It follows the aftermath of the discovery and how much it affects Janey and her nana Maggie.
Set in a Glasgow scheme, the book vividly captures working class life - hardship, nosey neighbours, everyone living on top of each other. But it also shows the friendships and community. The references throughout give a real sense of time and place.
Janey's character is perfect, sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking. Maggie is a class act and made me feel nostalgic for my own grandmother. The characters are relatable and deeply authentic.
It was a pleasure to read.
March 24, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up!
A bad, bad place is quite an introverted literary mystery focussing on the impact a murder has on a community in Glasgow, and how the ripples of murder can be felt well beyond the family and friends.
The story starts very strong. It has a defined and purposeful narrative voice for two POV characters that inject both warmth and humour into a dire situation and difficult existence. Unfortunately the strong writing isn't quite enough to see the piece out and towards the end there's a real drop in engagement and it becomes a bit directionless. I've rounded up to 4 stars to be kind because I did enjoy it, but ultimately I was left wanting more and somehow less as the story continues to bloat and bloat and be carried by two exceptional female leads. There are some leaps in logic, and Janey the wee bairn can sometimes feel much older than her character is, but the world of Possilpark and the impact of this murder, it's characters and their lives are well realised. Worth reading if you like slower paced mysteries with the added benefit of a unique voice.
A bad, bad place is quite an introverted literary mystery focussing on the impact a murder has on a community in Glasgow, and how the ripples of murder can be felt well beyond the family and friends.
The story starts very strong. It has a defined and purposeful narrative voice for two POV characters that inject both warmth and humour into a dire situation and difficult existence. Unfortunately the strong writing isn't quite enough to see the piece out and towards the end there's a real drop in engagement and it becomes a bit directionless. I've rounded up to 4 stars to be kind because I did enjoy it, but ultimately I was left wanting more and somehow less as the story continues to bloat and bloat and be carried by two exceptional female leads. There are some leaps in logic, and Janey the wee bairn can sometimes feel much older than her character is, but the world of Possilpark and the impact of this murder, it's characters and their lives are well realised. Worth reading if you like slower paced mysteries with the added benefit of a unique voice.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.
The premise and the concept behind the book was very good. I enjoyed the dual POV of both the child and the adult in the same situation but different perspectives. However, the language i.e using slang and dialect from the region of the books setting did make it hard to read in some places.
I will also say that I do not believe the author explored the characters of the murderer and murdered enough to make the book thoroughly enjoyable.
Still a good read, but not a favourite for sure.
The premise and the concept behind the book was very good. I enjoyed the dual POV of both the child and the adult in the same situation but different perspectives. However, the language i.e using slang and dialect from the region of the books setting did make it hard to read in some places.
I will also say that I do not believe the author explored the characters of the murderer and murdered enough to make the book thoroughly enjoyable.
Still a good read, but not a favourite for sure.
March 31, 2026
A Bad, Bad Place starts off like a crime story, but it’s really about what lingers after. It follows a young girl in 1979 Glasgow, trying to make sense of a gruesome discovery she makes while out walking her dog, Sid Vicious.
What pulled me in was the relationship between Janey and her grandmother. That’s the heart of it for me.
It’s atmospheric and character-driven, and while it’s slower and more reflective than I expected, it has given me this quiet, unsettled feeling that has lingered.
What would you do if you saw something you weren’t sure was safe to tell? How does a child carry something like that and who do they trust with it?
What pulled me in was the relationship between Janey and her grandmother. That’s the heart of it for me.
It’s atmospheric and character-driven, and while it’s slower and more reflective than I expected, it has given me this quiet, unsettled feeling that has lingered.
What would you do if you saw something you weren’t sure was safe to tell? How does a child carry something like that and who do they trust with it?
March 28, 2026
Twelve year old Janey is freaked out after walking with her dog Sid Vicious when she finds the murdered body of Samantha Watson. Who was the murderer? Fears and rumours are rife in the Possilpark community of Glasgow. It takes a bit to get used to the local dialect (and foul language) used throughout the story. An interesting and colourful bunch of characters.
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