Bitter Water

Douglas Brodie #2

by Gordon Ferris

Summer in Glasgow, when the temper bubbles and the tenement windows bounce back the light, when lust boils up and tempers fray. The second installment in the Douglas Brodie series.

Glasgow's melting. The temperature is rising and so is the murder rate. Douglas Brodie, ex-policeman, ex-soldier, and now newest reporter on the Glasgow Gazette, has no shortage of material for his crime column. But even Brodie baulks at his latest a rapist who has been tarred and feathered by a balaclava-clad group. Brodie soon discovers a link between this horrific act and a series of brutal beatings. As violence spreads and the body count rises, Brodie and advocate Samantha Campbell are entangled in a web of deception and savagery. Brodie is swamped with stories for the Gazette. But how long before he and Sam become the headline?

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Scotland, Historical Fiction, Ebooks, Thriller

392 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

I was born on Rabbie Burns' day in the small industrial town of Kilmarnock, in the West of Scotland. My mother took it as a sign of impending literary fortune. Naturally enough, I ignored her, despite writing being the only thing I loved [after rugby and the fairer sex].

I took the long way round to becoming an author. I've been a computer programmer and an executive in the UK Ministry of Defence, and a consultancy partner in the banking division of Price Waterhouse. Maybe that's where I got my interest in guns and crooks for my post war crime novels set in Glasgow and London.

I'm enormously proud of my Brodie Quartet but I'm now expanding my reach by writing contemporary thrillers. The first product of this broadening out is MONEY TREE now published on Amazon kindle [paperback to follow].

Reviews

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description: This is a declaration to the people of Glasgow. The police are useless and corrupt. We are taking it into our own hands: The Glasgow Marshals For Douglas Brodie, Glasgow's outbreak of murder and mayhem begins simply enough. A typical Saturday night brawl adds a splash of colour to the morning edition of the Gazette. But Brodie's piece receives a hot-blooded reply - the declaration of a new war upon petty crime signed by a group of vigilantes: The Glasgow Marshals. After his own stint at the Front, Brodie counts himself lucky to be back in his home town, paying his way as the local crime reporter. And although the frustrated, demobbed men of Glasgow are taking an eye for an eye, Brodie has some sympathy for their cause. So when a man is murdered, suspicion automatically falls on the Marshals, and the police are quick to agree. But for Brodie, this crime is all wrong. The Marshals stand for justice, not murder. Amid the heated clash of populace and police, a calculated killing has been ignored. Enlisting the help of advocate Samantha Campbell, Brodie begins to investigate the death himself, finding that of course the old saying always holds true: still waters do run deep.

Deacon Blue - the perfect accompaniment to this series.

Tartan Noir at its finest. The narratives are sublime, the patois addictively mimicable.

5* The Hanging Shed (Douglas Brodie, #1)
4* Bitter Water (Douglas Brodie, #2)
TR Pilgrim Soul (Douglas Brodie, #3 / Danny McRae, #3)

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent follow up to "The Hanging Shed". Although this can be read as a stand alone book, it does make references throughout to the first book in the series, so maybe it is worthwhile beginning at the beginning. Once again the plot lines have been carefully thought out, and the characters and the locations have that air of authenticity about them. Set in post war Glasgow it feels like an accurate depiction of a devastated city trying to regenerate itself. Those not familiar with the Glaswegian way of speaking might struggle with some of the idioms used, but to my mind it all adds to the realism.
Once again the book follows Douglas Brodie, a one time Policeman, Soldier and now Junior crime reporter for the Glasgow Gazette. The city is suddenly beset by a series of vigilante attacks against those on the wrong side of the law. There is also corruption lurking within council offices, not to mention other crimes. Although can they all be attributed to the vigilante gang "The Glasgow Marshalls"? As a crime reporter Brodie soon finds himself enmeshed in things. Once again he is assisted by Sam Campbell.
This was another book which I have thoroughly enjoyed, sometimes I had to suspend belief as things became a little unlikely in places, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment at all. For anyone who enjoys crime fiction I can highly recommend this, and the previous book.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murderin’ bampots…

This is the second in Ferris’ Douglas Brodie series which started as a Kindle sensation with The Hanging Shed. Tartan Noir at its finest, putting Brodie’s Glasgow right up beside Rebus’ Edinburgh.

Brodie is now working as a crime journalist in Glasgow when a spate of vigilante attacks hits the city. At the same time, his colleague, senior reporter Wullie McAllister is covering the murder of a councillor and suspects corruption at the heart of Glasgow Corporation. Brodie’s relationship with Sam Campbell is still on-off as she struggles to get over the after-effects of their last adventure.

Ferris doesn’t stint on violence and gore as the attacks and murders mount up and in true thriller style the climax is explosive. But along the way we are treated to some great humour, much of it very black. However the thing that makes these books really stand out is Ferris’ descriptions of post-war Glasgow (Brodie has only recently returned to Glasgow after serving as a major in the Second World War) and his completely authentic use of Glasgow slang. No psychopathic killers here – these men are murderin’ bampots. I’m not old enough to remember Glasgow in the forties, but the language and attitudes of the characters chime in with my own memories of how people of my parents’ generation talked and felt. The locations are so accurately described they whisk me back in time, though some of the places still exist today. The Horseshoe Bar, for instance, is still a thriving institution. Ferris writes so well that you never get the impression he’s researched the period – you feel certain he must actually have lived in it.

In my view, Ferris is the most exciting new Scottish crime writer on the scene and in Brodie he has developed an attractive, compelling lead character whose second outing is even better than the first. Highly recommended.

[John Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the synopsis for this one I wasnt sure that it was my kind of novel but I remembered the first novel, 'The Hanging Shed', as much enjoyed and an exciting read, although most of the detail had been blurred by time.
I opened the book to a special smell and feel, - newness but quality too. Try sniffing a Kindle and tell me that you get this !
The story here is a classic. Well drawn characters and a good storyline. At one stage I could almost see Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll clambering across a Scottish mountainside in 'The 39 Steps'.
Almost a year ago, I gave the books predecessor 5* and I have no hesitation in marking this the same.
It isnt essential but if you are going to read this one, I would recommend that you read The Hanging Shed first

[Fred Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book "Douglas Brodie #2" is pure adrenaline. The build up is a little slower than "The Hanging Shed" but with an amazing finish. I enjoy Gordon Ferris' writing style. He writes the way the locals talk, Scottish brogue and all, and I'm learning a wee bit o' dialect along the way. Highlanders and Lowlanders, and a touch of Glaswegian. There are a few hold over bad guys from the previous novel, which makes things interesting. Soldiers returning from the war are finding no jobs, no homes, wives with new husbands and poverty. No handouts from the government to these men who fought for King and country, because the coffers are empty. One man who had arrived after being released from spending 5 years in a Nazi POW camp, was arrested and convicted for stealing dog food from someone's home. Meantime, Glasgow is preparing to rebuild after Hitler's bombers did their destruction, and new contracts are being offered. Of course the richest people and their companies will go to any length to make more money including payoffs and murder. The hero and heroine, while still recovering from the previous battle (novel), are brought kicking and screaming into the fray. If you liked "The Hanging Shed", you will like this one even better.

[Shirley Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting an edge-of-my-seat thriller with this the second book in the Douglas Brodie series. The first one blew me away, and this one is just as good, if not better. We open the book about six months after the big bang ending of The Hanging Shed. Douglas is a junior reporter on the Glasgow Gazette. He counts himself lucky to be doing the job he loves when so many of his ex-army buddies are out of work and with no prospects. But Brodie being Brodie, he finds himself in some pretty hot water with a local gang of thugs who are taking the law into their own hands. Brodie's stories in the Gazette about this gang are beginning to make a name for himself. But there is a lot of crime in Glasgow just after WWII, and pretty soon more and more bodies are popping up. Brodie and his friend Sam (Samantha) are drawn into a political and local governance conspiracy which turns out to be very dangerous for them and the people they know. The last 8 chapters of the book are filled with more action and mayhem than anyone who is not a Brodie afficiando would be surprised by, but for me it was what I expected - heart-pounding action, fast-moving plot and written so well by Ferris that it all seemed real. You could read this book as a stand-alone book, but you will get more of the Brodie experience if you read The Hanging Shed first. I love this guy and the wonderful Sam. I highly recommend this series to anyone who is fond of the thriller genre with an historical twist and also anyone who likes books that provide very colourful descriptions of the time and place that the book is set in. Scotland and Glasgow come alive in Ferris's prose, and Douglas Brodie and Samantha Campbell are my new favourite crime fighting team.

[Simon Langley-Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bitter Water is the second outing for Douglas Brodie. Following on from his earlier exploits in Glasgow, Brodie has got himself a steady job with a newspaper in the city, acting as the junior crime correspondent. After initially becoming involved in the story of a local councillor who is murdered in a particularly gruesome manner, Brodie finds himself becoming a contact point between the paper and a gang of vigilantes who specialise in meting out punishments to individuals who have evaded justice in the courts. The punishments are biblical in nature and Brodie finds himself torn between a good story and the need to stop the brutality.
If I hadn't already bought this I probably wouldn't have read it once I'd read The Hanging Shed but hey ho. The experience was very similar to the earlier book, with a distinct phase of normal thriller writing which then segued into utter lunacy. The Bond pattern repeated itself with a block of chapters which constituted some crimes, some reporterly snooping around, which were followed by a totally unbelievable shoot out. It was OK as a light holiday read whilst hiding from the sun, but I will not be looking at any of the other Brodie stories.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brodie can't seem to stay out of trouble. He is working at the paper, Wullie, his mentor is uncovering a big problem with the Council, where councilmen are being kill. The men are taking money to give a rich man what he wants. Wullie won't tell the whole story yet, but he is working a a giant story. Brodie has been contacted by the Marshalls, a group of men who are attacking criminals and people not doing the right thing. At first the city is with the Marshalls as they attack rapist, wife beaters and those who cheat others, but the city turns against them when they kill some gay men (poufs) who are council members. Brodie is really mad when the Marshalls threaten his mother because he won't publish what they want him to. With Samantha's help, Brodie is able to solve the crime.

[IAN SPEIGHT · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best British authors currently writing.
This novel Crackles and burns at a furious rate a masterful story that drips in atmosphere. How was it not turned into a film or TV drama? Someone messed up big letting this through the net.

One of the few books I've read where the follow up is as good as, If not better than the original!
The narrative steams along at a pace the flying Scotsman would struggle to keep pace with!

For some of a certain age, it is a wonderful journey into nostalgia, a totally convincing portrayal of sad, edgy post-war Glasgow And one you don't have to be Scottish to appreciate.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is the best adventure story I've read set in Scotland since John Buchan's Thirty-Nine Steps! That's how good it is!

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have sat up late reading this book - it's one of those "just another chapter" until it's finished. Brodie is a junior crime reporter who gets tangled up in the Glasgow Marshals' vigilante justice to such an extent that they want to recruit him. He also spots a couple of thugs he had dealings with in The Hanging Shed. Mayhem ensues. It is violent and not for the faint hearted, but post war Glasgow was violent. The style is easy to read and draws you in with enough action to keep you turning the pages. I'm not sure, however, that the dialogue will be easily understood by non Scots as it is very authentic but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb read in my view. Well drawn characters and very engagingly written. It galloped along with plenty of twists and turns and had overall a largely plausible plot. As a Glaswegian I knew all the locations and understood the `local vernacular. I particularly enjoyed the short chapter format. A fairly typical simple plot populated with the usual cast of characters, ie gangsters, corrupt toffs , newsmen and desperadoes of all types. Add in the will they won’t they relationship between the main protagonists you have romance to boot! The only gripe was the slightly implausible ending though that’s just my opinion.
All in all thoroughly recommended for fans of crime noir.

[Cleym · Rating 4 out of 5]

C'est un excellent roman policier. Même si je n'ai pas lu le premier de la série, ce que je vais m'empresser de faire, l'histoire est très facile à suivre. Douglas Brodie, ancien combattant démobilisé suite à la fin de la guerre erre en Grande-Bretagne. Comme beaucoup de soldats il a sacrifié quelques années sur les champs de bataille pour revenir non pas en héros mais comme un individu dont la société ne se soucie pas. Ce roman décrit son parcours, ses batailles, sa vie amoureuse et surtout sa soif de justice.

[Jennifer Gottschalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying read set in post World War II Scotland. The book's central theme is around justice, retribution and the possibility of salvation. At times thought provoking, I enjoyed this book despite it being a bit slow in places.

The characters were well rendered, likeable and realistic. It was easy to identify with their struggles and I found myself hoping that things would turn out well for them.

Ferris is definitely 'above average' and has delivered a solid tale. I'll be keeping an eye out for other books by this author.

[Margaret Saal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A follow-on novel from previously read “The Hanging Shed”. A Saturday night brawl in Glasgow which is reported in the newspaper The Gazette by Douglas Brodie. Douglas has served at the front in the war and has sympathy for the demobbed taking an eye for an eye in petty crime. The Glasgow Marshall’s is a group of vigilantes so when a man is murdered suspicion falls on them. Brady is not convinced and investigates the death himself and finds the old saying holds true: still waters run deep.

[johnanimalantics.net, Margaret G Conlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super

What an amazing read right from the beginning to the end. Unfortunately it was full of swearing and profanity which totally spoiled it for me as it’s unnecessary in my opinion. Books can be written without this kind of language hence three stars awarded because of it. However, saying that, the plot was intriguing and compelling as my fingers were ready to keep the pages turning quickly. Thank you.

[Lelia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes a place in a book is so real you feel like you're right there with the characters - I usually feel that way with Ian Rankin's Rebus books and Rowling's Cormoran Strike books. In this book, I don't feel like I'm in Glasgow with Brodie, I feel like I'm sitting with Gordon Ferris as he googles Glasgow in the 40s. It's distracting and didn't make me want to read much of this book.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read that captures post-war Glasgow very well, from the poor quality housing, to the returned soldiers and the changing job market. Our hero as a former police officer, war hero and rookie journalist partnered with Sam the advocate is a good combo. Too a high body count by the very end with a ridiculous final shootout.

[Anne Louise Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something different

I read Hanging Shed after picking it up in a bookshop on offer. I was hooked and bought Bitter Water straight after. Enjoyed the plot, the back stories of the characters and the pace of the book. Being set in post war Glasgow is something different for me and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[RustyShack · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Readable, good sense of place, but too much contrast between plausible and highly implausible bits. Homophobia and the book’s argument in favour of vigilante justice don’t help.

Red flags: character described as closely resembling famous actor; female character with male name. No dream sequences, however.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wherever Douglas Brodie goes there is mayhem, mystery and murder. Brodie is now a reporter for the Glasgow Gazette and dealing with stories on the Glasgow Marshals and homosexual killings. A good adventure. 3 stars!

[Nona · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read that keeps you enthralled all the way through. FERRIS' character of Douglas BRODIE is extremely well portrayed as are all the other characters. FERRIS puts us in Glasgow after WW11. His language, descriptions and actions make us feel we are really there.
Loved it.

[Mike Manson · Rating 2 out of 5]

First time for a Gordon Ferris book for me. It was OK but the shootout at the end was one of those "could never really happen in a million years" shootouts. Up until then it was a 3-star, just OK. Giving it two starts is generous but reading all the other reviews, how could it rate just a single star? I doubt I would try another of his books but I'm happy that so many others enjoyed it.

[David Hutson]

Bitter Water

Although the story was about the area I know and a lot of the places I used to go many years ago I found the book a lot harder to read than the first in the series and at times a little boring lets hope the next one is better

[Jane Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crime thriller dripping with nostalgia

Fast paced, well written crime thriller with well drawn characters. Truly evokes post-war Scotland. Looking forward to reading the third book of the series

[Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Nick Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventurous daring-do 1940s style. Great fun and characters that one cares about. Feels historically accurate nd even if it is t it makes for a great detective story.

Well worth a read.

[Cybercrone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting series.
Good reads, but also pointing out the difficulty of returning soldiers in adjusting to 'normal' life again.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, read it a few years ago, may re-read -SOON!

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second Douglas Brodie Investigation fulfills the promise of the first: another well-paced thriller lightened by an unlikely romance and set in a bleak post-war Glasgow.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glasgow, 1946. Great story. I love the Scottish brogue. Strongly recommended.