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Davie McCall #3
Devil's Knock
The Davie McCall saga returns in
Devil's Knock . Davie McCall has darkness inside him. A darkness that haunts him, but also helps him do despicable things to those trying to cause him and his friends harm. When Dickie Himes is killed in a club owned by the Jarvis clan, it sparks a chain of events that Davie knows can only lead to widespread gang war on the streets of mid- 90s Glasgow. The police are falling over themselves to solve the crime, but when justice is so easily bought or corrupted, Davie needs to take matters into his own hands. Davie has to contend with the ghosts of those he has failed, a persistent Hollywood actor and a scruffy dog with no name. When he finds a target on his back, will Davie be able to suppress the darkness inside him and refuse to kill... Or will the devil s knock be too tempting?
Devil's Knock . Davie McCall has darkness inside him. A darkness that haunts him, but also helps him do despicable things to those trying to cause him and his friends harm. When Dickie Himes is killed in a club owned by the Jarvis clan, it sparks a chain of events that Davie knows can only lead to widespread gang war on the streets of mid- 90s Glasgow. The police are falling over themselves to solve the crime, but when justice is so easily bought or corrupted, Davie needs to take matters into his own hands. Davie has to contend with the ghosts of those he has failed, a persistent Hollywood actor and a scruffy dog with no name. When he finds a target on his back, will Davie be able to suppress the darkness inside him and refuse to kill... Or will the devil s knock be too tempting?
- GenresCrime
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
10 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Skelton
41 books136 followersDouglas has been a shelf stacker, bank clerk, tax officer, factory worker, advertising salesperson, taxi driver (for two days), wine waiter (for two hours), journalist and criminal investigator. His early books were all in true crime or criminal history but now he writes fiction, beginning with the Davie McCall series. The final book in the series, OPEN WOUNDS, has been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize 2016, alongside such authors as Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Lin Anderson, Doug Johnstone and James Oswald.
His next book is THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE, which will kick off a new series.
His next book is THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE, which will kick off a new series.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 7, 2024
**Read 4.5 STARS!**
This very engaging crime novel is the 3rd volume of the "Davie McCall" quartet of books.
The author's experience as a non-fiction writer comes again to the wonderfully forefront in this great tale about crime, brutality and death.
Storytelling is excellent, all characters are very believable and lifelike in this world of gang war between two criminal underworlds.
This third book is again situated in Glasgow, and it will tell the tale of the gang warfare between the underworld empire of Rab McClymont and that of the Jarvises, let by Maw Jarvis.
It all starts off with the murder of Dickie Himes, who's one of Rab's men, at the hands of Scrapper Jarvis, and that killing will lead to a total escalation, right till the end.
Caught in between this violent gang war is Davie McCall, a loner who dearly wants to leave "The Life" and hoping to find some peace of mind and body, but somehow he just can't do it, but instead is sucked in by his mate of old Rab to do his bidding and to help him to win this battle against the Jarvises, with all the consequences to follow, while good and dirty cops will play a very important and sinister role in all this.
What is to follow is an action-packed crime novel, which is brought to us in a most entertaining fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is another superb addition to this fabulous four-part series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Compelling Brutal Lethal Knock"!
This very engaging crime novel is the 3rd volume of the "Davie McCall" quartet of books.
The author's experience as a non-fiction writer comes again to the wonderfully forefront in this great tale about crime, brutality and death.
Storytelling is excellent, all characters are very believable and lifelike in this world of gang war between two criminal underworlds.
This third book is again situated in Glasgow, and it will tell the tale of the gang warfare between the underworld empire of Rab McClymont and that of the Jarvises, let by Maw Jarvis.
It all starts off with the murder of Dickie Himes, who's one of Rab's men, at the hands of Scrapper Jarvis, and that killing will lead to a total escalation, right till the end.
Caught in between this violent gang war is Davie McCall, a loner who dearly wants to leave "The Life" and hoping to find some peace of mind and body, but somehow he just can't do it, but instead is sucked in by his mate of old Rab to do his bidding and to help him to win this battle against the Jarvises, with all the consequences to follow, while good and dirty cops will play a very important and sinister role in all this.
What is to follow is an action-packed crime novel, which is brought to us in a most entertaining fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is another superb addition to this fabulous four-part series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Compelling Brutal Lethal Knock"!
July 22, 2023
Gang war in Glasgow. Another excellent volume in the McCall series even if our guy Davie is a bit more peripheral to the action.
Tight plot (250 pages), well paced and pretty good dialogues with local idioms that ring true to my french ears.
Tight plot (250 pages), well paced and pretty good dialogues with local idioms that ring true to my french ears.
July 31, 2016
The third book in the series and it didn't disappoint! Davie McCall is a complex character and a bit of an antihero, but nonetheless I think he is great. Despite his failings you find yourself rooting for him as the reader. Now moving straight onto book 4 of the series. Being the final book I am looking forward to it and dreading it in equal measure, but all good things must come to an end I suppose! This is the first time in a long time I have read a complete series back to back, and this is testament to what a great series this is. Highly recommended.
April 29, 2016
Top marks to Douglas Skelton for this instalment of the Davie McCall series. I'm loving this series and happily recommend it but start with book one and get the full story.
September 2, 2017
Another hard hitting installment
Davie McCall loses some relationships but also gains some.He finds himself working out where he stands and why as the gangs of Glasgow come into deadly battle.This book will keep you enticed to the last word
Davie McCall loses some relationships but also gains some.He finds himself working out where he stands and why as the gangs of Glasgow come into deadly battle.This book will keep you enticed to the last word
November 26, 2022
Great
Loving the read, came late to Douglas Skelton after seeing him on TV documentary about Glasgow ice cream wars.
Catching up on Davie McCall who has the nack of being a baddie you kinda like.
Loving the read, came late to Douglas Skelton after seeing him on TV documentary about Glasgow ice cream wars.
Catching up on Davie McCall who has the nack of being a baddie you kinda like.
July 9, 2020
Loved this, full of grit and Glasgow. I only wished it had been a bit longer
January 31, 2022
Can't wait to see what's next
December 26, 2022
Devils knock
This is the 3rd book I'm this series , I have enjoyed all of them. I shall read read the next, can,t wait to see what happens
This is the 3rd book I'm this series , I have enjoyed all of them. I shall read read the next, can,t wait to see what happens
January 1, 2017
I chose to read an ARC of this book and the opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley for making this possible
Wow loved this from beginning to end. This book was just as brilliant as the other 2 in the series.It was gripping, realistic ,believable and so well written, This is another book in the series i would highly recommend. I cant get enough of Douglas Skelton`s Davie Mccall series
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Wow loved this from beginning to end. This book was just as brilliant as the other 2 in the series.It was gripping, realistic ,believable and so well written, This is another book in the series i would highly recommend. I cant get enough of Douglas Skelton`s Davie Mccall series
Why no voting buttons? We don't let customers vote on their own reviews, so the voting buttons appear only when you look at reviews submitted by others.
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December 6, 2015
I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well holy-bloody-cow! This book was fabulous!! I cannot believe it had been on my TBR pile for so long! This is the first book I have read by Scottish author Douglas Skelton, but it will not be the last!
This was proper gritty, gangland, take-no-sh*t writing at it’s finest. A fast-paced crime thriller that leaves you breathless. The momentum is steady throughout but really picks up towards the end and I literally could not put this book down.
I loved the characters in this book too, and their names were class! Scrapper, Skooshie, Maw Jarvis to name a few. But Davie McCall was the one that kept me turning the pages for sure. Dark, dangerous and unpredictable — this guy utterly fascinated me. There was also a vulnerable side that came through, especially when it came to Vari and when Davie was having flashbacks about someone from his past. I was drawn in quite quickly and think he may well be my new fictional crush…every girl likes a bad boy…whether they admit it or not. I may not want to marry his type but I certainly want to read about him!
This was the third in the Davie McCall Saga and I will definitely be reading Blood City and Crow Bait. It may explain a few things that came up in this book. Would I suggest they are read in order…on reflection, yes…but it is a great story in it’s own right and I did not feel like I could not follow the story. Sure, some of the surprises may be lost, but if they are half as good as this book I know I will not be disappointed!
There was absolutely nothing I did not like about this book! The cover was fab! The story was amazing and the characters were solid. I look forward to reading the first two books and will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!
Buy this book! You will NOT regret it!
Well holy-bloody-cow! This book was fabulous!! I cannot believe it had been on my TBR pile for so long! This is the first book I have read by Scottish author Douglas Skelton, but it will not be the last!
This was proper gritty, gangland, take-no-sh*t writing at it’s finest. A fast-paced crime thriller that leaves you breathless. The momentum is steady throughout but really picks up towards the end and I literally could not put this book down.
I loved the characters in this book too, and their names were class! Scrapper, Skooshie, Maw Jarvis to name a few. But Davie McCall was the one that kept me turning the pages for sure. Dark, dangerous and unpredictable — this guy utterly fascinated me. There was also a vulnerable side that came through, especially when it came to Vari and when Davie was having flashbacks about someone from his past. I was drawn in quite quickly and think he may well be my new fictional crush…every girl likes a bad boy…whether they admit it or not. I may not want to marry his type but I certainly want to read about him!
This was the third in the Davie McCall Saga and I will definitely be reading Blood City and Crow Bait. It may explain a few things that came up in this book. Would I suggest they are read in order…on reflection, yes…but it is a great story in it’s own right and I did not feel like I could not follow the story. Sure, some of the surprises may be lost, but if they are half as good as this book I know I will not be disappointed!
There was absolutely nothing I did not like about this book! The cover was fab! The story was amazing and the characters were solid. I look forward to reading the first two books and will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!
Buy this book! You will NOT regret it!
August 24, 2015
This is the third in this series and, in my opinion, the grittiest. Although it can be read as a stand alone, there is so much that has gone before that, to get the best from this book, it is preferable to have read the first two.
So, Davie's world gets darker, he is drawn into more violence when revenge rears its ugly head. Despite his best effort to steer clear of the heavy stuff, to abide by his own code, circumstance, reputation and connection just keep on dragging him back.
Again, the book is crammed with action, this time more violent than previous books but this is in keeping with the escalation on the streets with the prevalence of drugs and gangs so it didn't seem out of pace.
It still sits a little uncomfortable rooting for a baddie, especially with what he seems to be getting involved with in this book, but he is still trying to keep the dark at bay and abide by his code so he is still worth he benefit of the doubt and, let's face it, everyone loves a bad boy!
The dialogue and language in this books is at just as high a standard as the first two, vernacular is easily worked out from context or looked up and there is some great banter between the characters. The Setting, Glasgow, is almost a character in its own right so strong the part it plays in the book, In reading the first three books, we see the degeneration of the City, How drugs, gangs and guns are becoming more widespread as time goes on.
This book is a brilliant addition to the saga of Davie McCall and I really can't wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So, Davie's world gets darker, he is drawn into more violence when revenge rears its ugly head. Despite his best effort to steer clear of the heavy stuff, to abide by his own code, circumstance, reputation and connection just keep on dragging him back.
Again, the book is crammed with action, this time more violent than previous books but this is in keeping with the escalation on the streets with the prevalence of drugs and gangs so it didn't seem out of pace.
It still sits a little uncomfortable rooting for a baddie, especially with what he seems to be getting involved with in this book, but he is still trying to keep the dark at bay and abide by his code so he is still worth he benefit of the doubt and, let's face it, everyone loves a bad boy!
The dialogue and language in this books is at just as high a standard as the first two, vernacular is easily worked out from context or looked up and there is some great banter between the characters. The Setting, Glasgow, is almost a character in its own right so strong the part it plays in the book, In reading the first three books, we see the degeneration of the City, How drugs, gangs and guns are becoming more widespread as time goes on.
This book is a brilliant addition to the saga of Davie McCall and I really can't wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2016
This is the third book in the Davie McCall series, I binge read them all in a couple of days, brilliant books!
This one follows on from Blood City and Crow Bait and plunges us straight into Glasgow gang warfare in the 90s. Drug dealing is rife and serious money can be made, when the Jarvis family suspect that Rab McClymont's gang is moving in on their patch, all hell breaks lose.
Once again, the characterisation is superb and the setting of 90s Glasgow is extremely realistic and atmospheric. I love all the references to the music and culture of the time and when there is a murder practically in the street where I grew up - well it just makes it all the more realistic!
Brilliant series, I would thoroughly recommend, have one more to read, Open Wounds, and I can't wait to get started on it!
This one follows on from Blood City and Crow Bait and plunges us straight into Glasgow gang warfare in the 90s. Drug dealing is rife and serious money can be made, when the Jarvis family suspect that Rab McClymont's gang is moving in on their patch, all hell breaks lose.
Once again, the characterisation is superb and the setting of 90s Glasgow is extremely realistic and atmospheric. I love all the references to the music and culture of the time and when there is a murder practically in the street where I grew up - well it just makes it all the more realistic!
Brilliant series, I would thoroughly recommend, have one more to read, Open Wounds, and I can't wait to get started on it!
September 6, 2016
3rd the Davie McCall series. Davie a Glasgow gangster is haunted by a turbulent past and an uncertain future . Davy is not the main character in this book, rather it is populated by a myriad of characters who revolve around each other like satellites in the cosmos. What I also like is no one character wears a white or black hat. Rather differing shades of grey. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
December 23, 2015
A gritty, dark, action packed story of criminals and their ilk in 90's Glasgow.
The characters are well described, but they are not what you would call memorable.
Haven't read any more of Douglas Skelton's work. Will look out for more in future.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Luath Press via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
The characters are well described, but they are not what you would call memorable.
Haven't read any more of Douglas Skelton's work. Will look out for more in future.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Luath Press via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
May 27, 2016
I received this as an arc from net galley in exchange for an honest review. When the devil comes knocking. You either tell the bastards to get the hell away. Or you invite them in. Wow. Very good read. I liked the story and the characters. I liked Davie. He was my favourite character. It was a bit slow to start with. But then it picked up. And wow. Just wow. I liked the ending too. 4*.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews