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A Bad, Bad Place
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Expected 3 Mar 26A gritty and poignant debut about a young working-class girl in 1979 Glasgow who happens upon the body of a murdered woman—and must face an insular community desperate for answers, as well as herself.
Glasgow, 1979: If it hadn’t been for her wee stupid dog, Sid Vicious, twelve-year-old Janey Devine might never have stumbled upon the corpse of Samantha Watson. And then maybe she’d still be able to sleep at night. And maybe her nana wouldn’t be so worried all the time. And maybe Billy “The Ghost” Watson, a notorious gangster, wouldn’t be on her tail—for it’s Billy’s daughter who was left for dead on those train tracks, and now Billy wants answers.
Fear and gossip have spread through the tight-knit community of Possilpark, and while Janey swears she can’t remember the details of that morning, the cops think she’s hiding something—and indeed, there’s something she knows that she’s not quite ready to tell anyone, not even her nana, who won’t rest until this whole thing is behind them.
Shot through with remarkable humor, Frances Crawford’s stunning debut is a coming-of-age whodunit, an intimate portrait of a working-class neighborhood that weaves Janey’s innocent candor and her nana’s hard-earned wisdom into a sweeping tale of grief and survival that marks the arrival of a major new voice in crime fiction.
Glasgow, 1979: If it hadn’t been for her wee stupid dog, Sid Vicious, twelve-year-old Janey Devine might never have stumbled upon the corpse of Samantha Watson. And then maybe she’d still be able to sleep at night. And maybe her nana wouldn’t be so worried all the time. And maybe Billy “The Ghost” Watson, a notorious gangster, wouldn’t be on her tail—for it’s Billy’s daughter who was left for dead on those train tracks, and now Billy wants answers.
Fear and gossip have spread through the tight-knit community of Possilpark, and while Janey swears she can’t remember the details of that morning, the cops think she’s hiding something—and indeed, there’s something she knows that she’s not quite ready to tell anyone, not even her nana, who won’t rest until this whole thing is behind them.
Shot through with remarkable humor, Frances Crawford’s stunning debut is a coming-of-age whodunit, an intimate portrait of a working-class neighborhood that weaves Janey’s innocent candor and her nana’s hard-earned wisdom into a sweeping tale of grief and survival that marks the arrival of a major new voice in crime fiction.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 3, 2026
9849 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 2, 2025
Thank you to the publisher Random House UK for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
In Glasgow 1979 while walking her dog on the abandoned train line, 12 year old Janey finds the body of a local women, Samantha Watson. Samantha is the daughter of gangster Billy Watson and she has been brutually murdered, after Janey finds Samantha she’s loses the innocence of her childhood. The police are convinced Janey is hiding something but Janey can’t remember everything from that, her Nana is worried as Janey is not herself.
I loved this book, I loved that the focus was on the victim, Janey and her Nana, rather than the focus being on the murderer. The story is told from two points of view, Janey and her Nana, so on one hand we get the narrative of lost innocence and on the other the wisdom of maturity. Very cleverly executed, alongside Janey I was trying to work out who did and the killers identify came as a shock to me. I loved that this book kept me guessing, I found myself very invested in the plot and caring about the fate of the characters, even Billy Watson who despite his many failings was still a man who lost his daughter. There’s a real sense of community in this book and I loved that, as the neighbours watch out for each other. This book shows how this devastating crime affected the local community and I really enjoyed reading this book, I would not hesitate to recommend it. Easy 5 stars for me, brillant book.
In Glasgow 1979 while walking her dog on the abandoned train line, 12 year old Janey finds the body of a local women, Samantha Watson. Samantha is the daughter of gangster Billy Watson and she has been brutually murdered, after Janey finds Samantha she’s loses the innocence of her childhood. The police are convinced Janey is hiding something but Janey can’t remember everything from that, her Nana is worried as Janey is not herself.
I loved this book, I loved that the focus was on the victim, Janey and her Nana, rather than the focus being on the murderer. The story is told from two points of view, Janey and her Nana, so on one hand we get the narrative of lost innocence and on the other the wisdom of maturity. Very cleverly executed, alongside Janey I was trying to work out who did and the killers identify came as a shock to me. I loved that this book kept me guessing, I found myself very invested in the plot and caring about the fate of the characters, even Billy Watson who despite his many failings was still a man who lost his daughter. There’s a real sense of community in this book and I loved that, as the neighbours watch out for each other. This book shows how this devastating crime affected the local community and I really enjoyed reading this book, I would not hesitate to recommend it. Easy 5 stars for me, brillant book.
October 6, 2025
4.5 ⭐ COMING: 12th February 2026
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 ❀
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 ❀
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.
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.
November 24, 2025
A Bad, Bad Place is a bleak, sad and tragic story of events following a young girls discovery of a murdered woman’s corpse.
I enjoyed the style of writing especially how the author made the setting and characters so descriptive. The characters were realistic and full of depth, and I appreciated that the story was told from both Janey and her gran’s perspective which added nuance and authenticity.
However, I didn’t enjoy the way Janey treated her dog Sid Vicious after discovering the body - with numerous references to violence and neglect. Her trauma is clearly evident without this. I also found her friendship with Theresa to be baffling and I felt it was used as a lazy attempt to move the story on. I found the ending to be rushed and felt the murderer was far too obvious.
That being said, A Bad Bad Place was an enjoyable, descriptive read and I’d read more from this author in the future.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for the ARC.
I enjoyed the style of writing especially how the author made the setting and characters so descriptive. The characters were realistic and full of depth, and I appreciated that the story was told from both Janey and her gran’s perspective which added nuance and authenticity.
However, I didn’t enjoy the way Janey treated her dog Sid Vicious after discovering the body - with numerous references to violence and neglect. Her trauma is clearly evident without this. I also found her friendship with Theresa to be baffling and I felt it was used as a lazy attempt to move the story on. I found the ending to be rushed and felt the murderer was far too obvious.
That being said, A Bad Bad Place was an enjoyable, descriptive read and I’d read more from this author in the future.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for the ARC.
October 9, 2025
Set in Scotland in the 1980s, this story focuses on 12-year-old Janey, who discovers the dead body of a young woman, Samantha. What follows is the fallout from this on Janey, her family and her community.
This was a very dark and gritty book, mainly focused on relationships and conversations. It follows Janey as she slowly comes to terms with what she's seen, the loss of someone she didn't know, and how she slowly uncovers the motives behind the murder.
It was an interesting read, challenging at times to read this from the perspective of a young person, but in some ways that made it more grounding and real. It's an incredible debut by Frances Crawford. I look forward to reading more of her books over the coming years.
Thanks to Frances Crawford, Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
This was a very dark and gritty book, mainly focused on relationships and conversations. It follows Janey as she slowly comes to terms with what she's seen, the loss of someone she didn't know, and how she slowly uncovers the motives behind the murder.
It was an interesting read, challenging at times to read this from the perspective of a young person, but in some ways that made it more grounding and real. It's an incredible debut by Frances Crawford. I look forward to reading more of her books over the coming years.
Thanks to Frances Crawford, Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
August 17, 2025
Actual rating 4.5.
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.
November 30, 2025
This is a story set around Glasgow in 1979 about Janey, a 12 year old girl who finds a dead body whilst walking her dog.
Janey goes from an outgoing young girl to more of a recluse, reluctant to leave the house, wanting to sleep all the time. Its understandably had a profound effect on the young girl who lives with her 'Nana' Maggie.
One thing many authors struggle with is having non-professionals somehow have suspects willingly answer their investigative questions. Thankfully, that is one thing Frances Crawford did quite well. I thought it was well managed how she had Janey collect clues in a scrapbook to help her cope with anxiety, and how Nana would overhear things in her jub as a bar-maid or at the taxi rank. They weren't actively investigating but were revealing important information as the story progressed.
The biggest drawback for me with this book was the writing style. All of the book is written in a local Scottish dialect, which isn't usually an issue for me but I felt that the author was at times using words just for the sake of using the slang and it completely detracted from the characters and the story.
I very nearly added this to my Did Not Finish pile, that was how irritating I found it and I think it spoiled what could have been a good story.
Other than Nana and Janey, I found the characters to be quite one dimensional. Most of the male characters felt quite samey and weren't easily distinguishable from one another unless named.
Overall I was left feeling disappointed. It was an interesting premise but fell short with the authors choice of writing style.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the chance to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
A Bad, Bad Place is due to be released on 12th February 2026.
Janey goes from an outgoing young girl to more of a recluse, reluctant to leave the house, wanting to sleep all the time. Its understandably had a profound effect on the young girl who lives with her 'Nana' Maggie.
One thing many authors struggle with is having non-professionals somehow have suspects willingly answer their investigative questions. Thankfully, that is one thing Frances Crawford did quite well. I thought it was well managed how she had Janey collect clues in a scrapbook to help her cope with anxiety, and how Nana would overhear things in her jub as a bar-maid or at the taxi rank. They weren't actively investigating but were revealing important information as the story progressed.
The biggest drawback for me with this book was the writing style. All of the book is written in a local Scottish dialect, which isn't usually an issue for me but I felt that the author was at times using words just for the sake of using the slang and it completely detracted from the characters and the story.
I very nearly added this to my Did Not Finish pile, that was how irritating I found it and I think it spoiled what could have been a good story.
Other than Nana and Janey, I found the characters to be quite one dimensional. Most of the male characters felt quite samey and weren't easily distinguishable from one another unless named.
Overall I was left feeling disappointed. It was an interesting premise but fell short with the authors choice of writing style.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the chance to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
A Bad, Bad Place is due to be released on 12th February 2026.
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.
October 2, 2025
This nostalgic look at 80’s Scotland, through the eyes of a young girl and her Grandmother, after the girl discovers the mutilated body of a young woman while taking her dog, Sid Viscious, out for a walk.
Janey, who lives with her Nana, discovered the body of a young woman while out for a walk. After that, everything goes blank in her mind until the police arrive and find her sheltering in a taxi, the driver having taken pity on her when he had seen her. She doesn't remember anything of what happened, but she is in the centre of a web, being confused and coerced by the Police, and the Victims Father who is part of a criminal empire. It doesn't help that she can’t sleep as she sees the girl's ghost following her around. Did she see the killer? And does the killer think she did? In her preteen life, she doesn’t know who to trust and what to do.
This took me a while to get into, as it is written from Janey and her Grandmother’s PoV, chapter by chapter. There is also a lot of Scottish slang in there, which if you don't know what it means can make it a little harder to read. But a great story told in a unique way.
Janey, who lives with her Nana, discovered the body of a young woman while out for a walk. After that, everything goes blank in her mind until the police arrive and find her sheltering in a taxi, the driver having taken pity on her when he had seen her. She doesn't remember anything of what happened, but she is in the centre of a web, being confused and coerced by the Police, and the Victims Father who is part of a criminal empire. It doesn't help that she can’t sleep as she sees the girl's ghost following her around. Did she see the killer? And does the killer think she did? In her preteen life, she doesn’t know who to trust and what to do.
This took me a while to get into, as it is written from Janey and her Grandmother’s PoV, chapter by chapter. There is also a lot of Scottish slang in there, which if you don't know what it means can make it a little harder to read. But a great story told in a unique way.
November 25, 2025
This book appealed to me as it was a murder mystery told from an alternative POV. Usually the narrative is from the detective dealing with the case.
This book told the story from the dog walker that found the body, 12 year old Janey Devine. This is tempered with the POV of her Glaswegian Nanna.
I absolutely loved this book, gritty, dark, humorous and sad. Based in 1970s Scotland, the writing style and narrative illustrate life back then, how hard it was for certain parts of society and highlights the differences between then and now.
Everyone has secrets, some secrets should be kept, others should be shared in the cold hard light of the day, to show that they are not as terrible as they feel.
I finished this book within days, and it is still with me, 5 days after.
I would rank it up.there with A List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey. Definitely one of my books of the year!!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book told the story from the dog walker that found the body, 12 year old Janey Devine. This is tempered with the POV of her Glaswegian Nanna.
I absolutely loved this book, gritty, dark, humorous and sad. Based in 1970s Scotland, the writing style and narrative illustrate life back then, how hard it was for certain parts of society and highlights the differences between then and now.
Everyone has secrets, some secrets should be kept, others should be shared in the cold hard light of the day, to show that they are not as terrible as they feel.
I finished this book within days, and it is still with me, 5 days after.
I would rank it up.there with A List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey. Definitely one of my books of the year!!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2025
A Bad, Bad, Place by Frances Crawford is a debut book by the author and is a look back at Glasgow 1979. When 12 year old Janey Devine along with her dog Sid Vicious they find a dead body of a young woman viciously murdered. Samantha Watson was the only daughter of Billy”The Ghost” Watson and he wants answers and to find his daughter’s killer.
He befriends Janey and her grandmother and wants to make life a little easier for them. Nana only wants to protect her granddaughter and tries to find out what Janey knows but can’t remember. Fear and gossip run rife through the community of Possilpark, Glasgow with the community speculating on every arrest made or police calling someone in fro interview.
It isn’t until the end of the storyline that we know who did it and what will happen to them is left for speculation.
A fascinating storyline, a coming of age story and the murder of a young woman who loved life.
Highly recommended
December 25, 2025
This was a gritty and dark read, set in my home city so I know the setting and the local language.
I loved the perspective of both Janey and her Nana. They are two people surviving together with Sid Vicious the dog and doing their best to get through. The past trauma her nana Maggie suffered is one which has stayed with her and her life has been challenging to say the least.
Their love for each other was so touching, Janey is not coping with finding a dead body and this story takes us through the days after it. Community features in this book, caring for other as well as the gossip and rumours that a close knit community has. Divisions are also discussed which made the story authentic in my eyes, the remnants of division still exist although I do think times have changed a bit.
This is a dark story but one which is sprinkled thoughout with love and tenderness and shows what links us all together in the human experience.
I loved the perspective of both Janey and her Nana. They are two people surviving together with Sid Vicious the dog and doing their best to get through. The past trauma her nana Maggie suffered is one which has stayed with her and her life has been challenging to say the least.
Their love for each other was so touching, Janey is not coping with finding a dead body and this story takes us through the days after it. Community features in this book, caring for other as well as the gossip and rumours that a close knit community has. Divisions are also discussed which made the story authentic in my eyes, the remnants of division still exist although I do think times have changed a bit.
This is a dark story but one which is sprinkled thoughout with love and tenderness and shows what links us all together in the human experience.
October 28, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut book from this author and could not put it down.
In a Bad, Bad Place we met Janey, a young girl who discovers the body of a young woman whilst out walking her dog. She soon realises the repercussions of this won't go away as the police get involved as well as the young woman's father.
This story is told from Janey's viewpoint and her Nana's and they are wonderfully written. The bond between them both is beautiful and we get a real insight in to their lives both past and present and what it was like in living in Scotland in the 1970's. This book also explores the lengths people will go to for the people they love.
Overall this is a brilliantly written, gritty who done it and I'm looking forward to seeing what this author will write next.
Many thanks as ever to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.
In a Bad, Bad Place we met Janey, a young girl who discovers the body of a young woman whilst out walking her dog. She soon realises the repercussions of this won't go away as the police get involved as well as the young woman's father.
This story is told from Janey's viewpoint and her Nana's and they are wonderfully written. The bond between them both is beautiful and we get a real insight in to their lives both past and present and what it was like in living in Scotland in the 1970's. This book also explores the lengths people will go to for the people they love.
Overall this is a brilliantly written, gritty who done it and I'm looking forward to seeing what this author will write next.
Many thanks as ever to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.
November 22, 2025
“A Bad, Bad Place” follows 12-year-old Janey Devine, who discovers a murdered woman in 1979 Glasgow. As the police push her for details she can’t or won’t remember, buried family secrets begin to surface. It’s a tense, atmospheric crime story about trauma, community, and the danger of what a child might know.
I absolutely loved everything about this book. I loved the nostalgic feel to it. I loved the characters and how well developed they all were including Sid Vicious the dog! Janey Devine is such a beautifully written character and I fell completly in love with her.
There was so much more to this book than just a murder mystery. Crawford weaves trauma, memory, and family secrets into a story that is both suspenseful and deeply human. I couldn’t put it down, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
An outstanding debut and an easy 5 stars from me 👏🏼
Thanks @netgalley @randomhouse for the Arc I’m so happy I got to read and review this one
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Glasgow is on the cusp of the 1980s when 12 year old Janey makes a horrifying discovery. Thanks to her inquisitive dog Sid Vicious, she i stumbles across the body of a dead woman. And her problems don't end there.
Because the dead woman is the daughter of a man with serious criminal credentials, and Janey is now stuck between a rock and a hard place, with everyone clamoring for answers that she is unable (or unwilling) to give.
Janey knows that she must tread very carefully indeed, if she is to navigate the diverse and conflicting interests - from her sceptical grandmother to the criminal elements involved, not to mention the police - who all have a stake in the investigation.
A gritty crime thriller, this gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Because the dead woman is the daughter of a man with serious criminal credentials, and Janey is now stuck between a rock and a hard place, with everyone clamoring for answers that she is unable (or unwilling) to give.
Janey knows that she must tread very carefully indeed, if she is to navigate the diverse and conflicting interests - from her sceptical grandmother to the criminal elements involved, not to mention the police - who all have a stake in the investigation.
A gritty crime thriller, this gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 22, 2025
A gripping Glaswegian thriller which focuses on a ten year old girl who finds a dead body, the daughter of a gangland boss. Alternatively told by Janey, and her Nana who is her only family, the repercussions of finding the body don’t go away, leading them into the murkier side of gangs and individuals where nobody quite tells the truth.
There’s a good, and large, cast of characters, many of whom have looked out for Nana for many years. Their purpose is well explained and the book doesn’t feel rushed, despite the inevitable hunt for the killer. The relationship between Janey and her Nana is really well described, particularly the affection and sadness of being left together in the world.
Thanks to Netgalley for the preview in return for a review.
There’s a good, and large, cast of characters, many of whom have looked out for Nana for many years. Their purpose is well explained and the book doesn’t feel rushed, despite the inevitable hunt for the killer. The relationship between Janey and her Nana is really well described, particularly the affection and sadness of being left together in the world.
Thanks to Netgalley for the preview in return for a review.
November 5, 2025
I have loved every page of this book!
The story is based in Glasgow in the 80s and jt took a while to get into it, mainly due to the language that is used especially the Scottish slang. But once I got past the first few chapters the book just flowed.
Both the central characters are so lovable and the story is full of emotion, grief, sorrow all surrounding the bad bad thing.
The author manages to give a beautiful viewpoint from a loving grandma but also that of a little girl dealing with a harrowing trauma, layers unfold as the story continues and the characters become real and the results are fabulous.
Totally enjoyed this and was left wanting to know what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and to the author for the arc 📖
The story is based in Glasgow in the 80s and jt took a while to get into it, mainly due to the language that is used especially the Scottish slang. But once I got past the first few chapters the book just flowed.
Both the central characters are so lovable and the story is full of emotion, grief, sorrow all surrounding the bad bad thing.
The author manages to give a beautiful viewpoint from a loving grandma but also that of a little girl dealing with a harrowing trauma, layers unfold as the story continues and the characters become real and the results are fabulous.
Totally enjoyed this and was left wanting to know what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and to the author for the arc 📖
September 23, 2025
A grittier, less innocent story similar to The List of Suspicious Things. Whereas that was two kids playing amateur sleuth, this story sees 12 year old Janey who stumbles onto an actual dead body, and how it affects her mentally afterwards, and her grandma Maggie who is her guardian.
I wouldn’t say it’s the cheeriest or happiest of stories, as life is clearly hard for them, and they’ve had family loss years ago, on top of the latest crime discovery. But the characters are well written. And if you like open endings then you’ll appreciate this one.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I wouldn’t say it’s the cheeriest or happiest of stories, as life is clearly hard for them, and they’ve had family loss years ago, on top of the latest crime discovery. But the characters are well written. And if you like open endings then you’ll appreciate this one.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
October 13, 2025
A stunning debut from Frances Crawford. ‘A Bad, Bad Place’ is one of the most authentic depictions of Scotland (and Glasgow in particular) that I've ever encountered in Scottish fiction. Possil is an area seldom mentioned, or written about, outside of newspaper crime pages, so it's lovely to see a genuine portrayal of the heart of the local people and strong sense of community. There are two main voices in the book, both distinct and believable. It's impossible not to have a soft spot for Janet and the utmost empathy for her Nana. This is easily one of my best books of this year. It's going to be HUGE! I can't wait to see what this author does next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It is hard to believe this is a debut novel and well done to the author. Set in 1970's Glasgow, the book had an authentic feel to it and the characters were very believable. I loved the plotting and the descriptions through Janey's child eyes certainly triggered my emotions. There is plenty of suspense and the writing style and the narration resonated with life in the 70's and 80's in Glasgow. The ending was left open to the reader's imagination, which I liked and overall this is a very good read about community, family, loss and secrets. I will remember this book for some time. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
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September 17, 2025Bad, Bad Place explores the aftermath of a murder discovered by 12-year-old Janey while out walking her dog. Set in the late 70s in the north of Glasgow, the story is told through the eyes of Janey and her Nana, Maggie.
You get to see all walks of life, from every day folk to gang leaders, while impact of the crime. Like the author, I grew up in the north of the city so the locations felt familiar and easy to picture.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK,Transworld Publisher ,for an Advance Readers Copy.
You get to see all walks of life, from every day folk to gang leaders, while impact of the crime. Like the author, I grew up in the north of the city so the locations felt familiar and easy to picture.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK,Transworld Publisher ,for an Advance Readers Copy.
December 14, 2025
Janey finds the body of a young woman in wasteland close to her home. Traumatised by the discovery and harassed by the police, Janey withdraws into herself, much to the concern of her gran.
As much as portrait of the poverty of working class life in Glasgow in the late 70s as a murder mystery. The story is told by Janey and her gran in alternating chapters. It starts and ends well but gets bogged down a little in the middle with episodes involving incompetent police officers and an indifferent GP.
(I was given an advance copy in exchange for an honest review)
As much as portrait of the poverty of working class life in Glasgow in the late 70s as a murder mystery. The story is told by Janey and her gran in alternating chapters. It starts and ends well but gets bogged down a little in the middle with episodes involving incompetent police officers and an indifferent GP.
(I was given an advance copy in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There's been a murder in Glasgow, but this is unlikely any crime novel you've read before. Its unique style tells the story of young Janey, who discovered the body of Samantha Watson, and her Grandmother Maggie. Its their voices and feelings you read about as they come to terms with the bad luck that's followed them for years. Set in late 1970's it's gritty and tough. The author has done a fabulous job bringing the harshness of the city to life, the characters are believable, I loved how Maggie did her best for Janey despite her own heartache.
September 27, 2025
I’ll share it with my followers again and help promote it when the publish date gets closer. Even though it didn’t appeal me, I did enjoy the writing style and the author’s narrative voice.
This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
October 26, 2025
I loved the telling of this story through the eyes of Janey and her nana. Alot of Scottish slang that I had to look up lol. A dark interesting read that had me gripped from the first few pages. I was frustrated at the ending because it was open ended and I know I'll have to wait agesssss for the next novel.
I throughly enjoyed this book and finding a new author to binge on
I throughly enjoyed this book and finding a new author to binge on
Review of advance copy
Terrific, terrifying story set in 1970s Glasgow, with two brilliant heroines, a child and her grandmother, and "Sid Vicious", the best dog in the world. Book received from Theakstons Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An interesting read that took a little while to get into but, once in, it mostly sped by. The different perspectives were what kept me engaged together with working out who committed the crime. Recommended.
September 30, 2025
3.5 - Full review tbd
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