Long Time Dead: a Gus Dury crime thriller

Gus Dury #4

by Tony Black

Gus Dury is back on the drink. While in hospital after a hit-and-run accident, his best friend, Hod, asks him to investigate the ritual, on-campus hanging of an Edinburgh University student. The murder victim's mother is a high-profile actress, who has promised a big-money reward. Gus, desperate for money, goes undercover at the university, taking a janitor's job, and soon uncovers a similar ritualistic hanging which took place in the 70s. Few of the students are prepared to talk about it - until another one of their group turns up dead by the same method. But Gus now moves into very dangerous waters as he begins to discover what and who is really behind it all - and he becomes the next target for the executioner.

Genres: Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Tony Black is the author of more than 20 books, most recently Her Cold Eyes. He has been nominated for eight CWA Daggers and was runner up in The Guardian's Not the Booker prize for The Last Tiger.

He has written three crime series, a number of crime novellas and two collections of short stories. His acclaimed author interviews series was collected under the title, Hard Truths.

His novella, The Ringer, was adapted for the stage and the Ayr Gaiety performance can be found on YouTube.

A former Young Journalist of the Year, he still writes for the press regularly.

For more information, and the latest news visit his website at: www.tonyblack.net or his blog: www.pulppusher.blogspot.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter or Linked-In.

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Black never tires of punishing his protagonist Gus Dury, having endured monumental loss in the previous series instalment (aptly titled LOSS), Dury now faces a very real possibility of losing his life to drink. His situation so dire, that the opening chapters of LONG TIME DEAD see the sometime PI recovering from a particularly bad bout of self inflicted sickness. Coupled with the accompanying bar room brawls and subsequent injuries, Gus’s health is in a bad way. Luckily (subjective of course), Gus’ mate, Hod is in the bad books with local thug Shaky and needs Gus to rekindle his detective persona in order to front enough cash to keep the dogs off his back. Gus, owing Hod for a lifetime of aid takes a case which eventuates in a race to the reaper with both the case and drink vying for Gus’s lifeblood.

Ben, the son of actress, Gillian Laird is found dead in a university – the case initially billed as suicide by the local filth turns to something much more involved and sinister as Gus and co investigate the happenstance. Digging uncovers a cult of sorts which unveils a murderous ritual and past crimes spanning decades. Adding to the continuity of the series, Shaky and his muscle are linked to the killing(s) by virtue of a drug angle. In jig time, Ben’s death and his mothers squeaky clean perception of her son are tainted and more complex than Gus had bargained for.

There are a number of familiar faces in LONG TIME DEAD. Hod, Gus and Debs are there, but it’s the return of Amy, a former understudy of sorts to Gus in his former life as a journalist that has the most impact on the damaged protagonist. Now at Uni, her sleuthing skills are once again called upon by Gus to aid the investigation. I liked the sense of family building here, Gus’s support network is forming as a tightly knit unit yet a mere pull of a loose thread ever threatens to ruin it. Tony Black does a great job at keeping the dark cloud hovering above every good aspect to Gus, you know it’s going to turn bad, the question is when?

LONG TIME DEAD is a decent whodunit cult-like murder investigation with a damaged and hopelessly tortured PI whose personal story is both a joy and a train wreck. This series is brutally honest and caters to all who like their fiction extra Black.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have just cancelled my application for Edinburgh University - too many dead bodies hanging around. I would have thought that institutions must hate it when they become the centre of attraction in a murder novel though Oxford University did not seem to suffer from Morse's investigations. It was also a more palatable tale than some American mass murder stories that I have come across recently. However, I found the writing difficult at times. I know the author is a fellow Scot as were his main characters so the 'Scots' in it was acceptable (no idea how it would go down in the American or even English market when I did not recognise a considerable number of phrases). However, I also find his style a bit convoluted and found myself drifting over some paragraphs.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite investigative journalist*, Gus Dury, is back on the drink. His best friend, Hod, asks him to investigate the ritual, on-campus hanging of an Edinburgh University student. The murder victim's mother is a high-profile actress who has promised a big-money reward. Gus goes undercover at the university, taking a caretaker's job, and soon uncovers a similar ritualistic hanging which took place in the 70s. Gus moves into very dangerous waters as he begins to discover what and who is really behind it all.

*apart from Chris Brookmyre's Jack Parlabane

My recommendation is to read the first three Dury books first. Great Scottish crime fiction.

[Helen Stead · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, didn't really enjoy this one. A bit gruesome, but that doesn't usually put me off, but the dialogue was difficult to follow. Lots of Scottish phrases which l found confusing.

[Joanne Parkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to make of Gus Drury ...... Arrrggghhhh !!! These books always push my button's but i have a sneaking suspicion that's the author's point as you'll either love Gus or hate him .. or swing violently between the two like me !! One minute he's a miserable, moaning drunk who's pissed his life, his job and marriage away yet still has the cheek to be bitter about it. He doesn't have a good word to say about anyone he meet's and treat's his friend's as brainless numpties who are there purely to run him around and get him out of trouble. The next minute he's battling his demon's, solving the crime, rallying round his friend's etc etc .... unfortunately you turn the page and it's all change again !! This guy is a walking contradiction .. he feel's bad for not seeing his poor, battered mother and wants some peace for her and then spend's less than 5 minutes in her company .. he's so all over the place with Deb's that i wanted to scream " For fuck's sake leave the poor woman alone .. and stop ringing her you dribbling idiot!!". The rollercoaster up's & down's of Gus far outweigh the story which became just a background filler. The most amazing part is that we are told that La Drury is in the final stages of alcoholism ... so on top of having no front teeth he'll be 6 stone wet through, have a sunken face, yellow skin, red watery eyes, terrible shakes and halitosis like you wouldn't believe .. BUT still manages not only to fight & win, solve a murder case but also end's up in the sack with Amy !! Which speak's volumes about the annoying scroat. His doctors must be amazed !!
Gus Drury say's he keeps knocking on heaven's door .. then he want's to live .. and goes straight to the pub ... so next time Gus, knock louder.

[Keith Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th Gus Dury novel and he has hit an all time low, separated from his wife, haunted by questions from his childhood and drinking himself literally into an early grave but fortunately he still has his friends around him although Hod has fallen on hard times and owes money to a local shark, Shaky. Gus reluctantly agrees to investigate the apparent suicide of a wealthy and well connected student to bail Hod out of his predicament. What follows is a hard hitting, gritty delve into the Edinburgh under and over world, it's hard to know which one to like least. Gus hits bottom and for a while carries on going, seemingly committed to his self destruction if it means getting the answers he wants and needs.

I've chased through five Tony Black books in a matter of weeks since picking up Gutted by chance (a very happy one). It's the best writing I've read all year and is right up there with my favourite authors. I'm a big fan of Ian Rankin, Tony Black's books are, I feel, as good - they are a different style and feel and I have room for both authors on my shelf. I find myself trying to slow down and enjoy the prose but cannot help but charge through to the end, the narrative really draws you in. The characters are excellent (Mac the Knife was hardly in this story which is a bit of a shame but a vv minor comment) and very well developed, the dialogue is sharp, with a well balanced amount of local slang that paints a picture without managing to lose you. Overall really, really good stuff. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Mr Black I strongly suggest you do. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read somewhere that someone thought Gus Dury was a great detective - I couldn't disagree more. This could very well be my last Gus Dury book - The storyline/plot was a good one, but most of the book dealt with his continuing abuse of alcohol and always ending up in hospital for his "last chance" - how many last chances do you get?

This could have been a 3, 4 or 5 star book - but it isn't. I read for enjoyment, the mystery, the solving, and the twists and turns - this book really didn't offer that - like I said above it was mostly devoted to his alcoholism - which the other 3 books kept dealing with. So for me, it's time to put this series to bed!

Would I recommend it, not really - I'm hoping that Tony Black's "Rob Brennan" series is much better, we'll see as I'm starting it next.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus is a down to earth character which I thought was great.

He's fed up, and up pops a blast from the past which he isn't too happy about.

Danny asks Gus about his long time mate Barry, this pricks his intrigue and wonder what he wants to know. Danny wants Gus to find Barry before anyone else does. But why????

The story takes Gus into some rather down and out areas which leaves a lot to be desired.

This was my first Gus novella and really enjoyed it as he's a character which easily draws you to him and look forward to reading more

[Brandon Nagel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gus Dury and Rob Brennan are 2 of my favorites in the genre today. Another winner. Tony Black is definitely one of my favorites writing today. Dury is on a downward spiral from the get go and never stops until he hits bottom, faces his demons, and gets the bottom of this excellent mystery. Everyone should give Tony Black a read if you haven't already. Excellent and highly recommended as I recommend all of his books to all readers of the genre.

[Rory Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the unkillable Gus Dury. No matter how hard he tries to self-destruct, he clings to life. No matter how hard the enemies he makes try to rub him out, they can't. Tony Black handles this with realism that is often grisly, but with humanity and empathy. Plus, his stories -- the dirty business that Gus uncovers -- are damn good, and the spicy dialogue, peppered with local slang and Scots accents, is another entertaining dimension.

[Sarah Blyther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way Tony writes about Edinburgh it really opens your eyes to what it is really like away from all the things us tourist usually see and experience. I like the launguage he uses too, often have to look up phrases on the net...but i know what baffies are now.
Can't wait to read the next book.

[Andy Blundell · Rating 2 out of 5]

As soon as this book opens we're in Trainspotting territory and not just geographically, although protagonist Gus Dury's poison is good old fashioned alcohol rather than heroin. The rather harrowing descriptions of the depths to which he plunges hit hard but in the end they just get in the way of the rather interesting mystery plot. Readable if rather uncomfortable reading at times.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captures modern Edinburgh completely. A fun crime read.

[Sarah Blyther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read all of Tony Blacks Gus Dury novels. Really hope he gets a move on with a new one. Really enjoy his writing style .

[Stargazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Gus Dury, just got the previous books from the library, I tried to stop reading this until I got them, but couldn't.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Gus is not in good shape but still a great story

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read,
I will definetly be purchasing more of Tony`s work :)