Scotched Nation

Willie Morton political thrillers #2

by Andrew Scott

Five months after Scotland’s Independence Referendum, freelance journalist Willie Morton learns that a man called Philip Gallimont who works for secretive pro-Union group, GB13, looks and sounds like him. Can he pass himself off as Gallimont to get inside the group? What are their connections to MI5 and is the Prime Minister involved? It’s a dangerous game and soon Morton is being pursued through a labyrinth of private backstairs and neglected corridors in the Palace of Westminster into the eerie dereliction of the roof space. He wants to confront the reclusive leader of GB13, whisky magnate Lord Craile, in his remote mansion on Mull and ask him one question – Why? But some questions are too incendiary, too dangerous... The Union is sacrosanct, greater, it seems, than democracy itself and Morton is a threat to it, their top target.
The second in the series of Willie Morton mystery thrillers, Scotched Nation sees the journalist once again putting himself in harm's way to get the story. This time the action races from Westminster to the tranquil Scottish borders and the dusty vennels and wynds of central Edinburgh. From the Scottish Parliament to the remote isle of Mull – and always at the heart of the action is Willie Morton, trying to keep one step ahead of his pursuers.
Written by a former parliamentary media officer, the thriller navigates the uncertain terrain between a declining Britain and an emerging Scotland, exploring hidden aspects of the political world known only to an insider.

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2019

About the author

Andrew Scott is the author of the Willie Morton series of Scottish espionage thrillers. A former parliamentary press officer, he has put his behind-the-scenes experience to good use in the series, launched in February 2019 with Deadly Secrecy followed by Scotched Nation in October. In June 2020, a third, Oblivion's Ghost was published, followed in June 2021 by Sovereign Cause . These have been reviewed in Scottish newspapers and online with most reviewers describing them as "an immersive experience", a "pacy read", "fast-moving" a "page-turner" and even "riveting, rewarding and satisfying."
Under his full name of Andrew Murray Scott he is the author of four novels, ten non-fiction books, hundreds of journalistic features: a lifetime's experience as a writer, in fact. He has a first-class honours degree in English and has worked as a Creative Writing tutor, freelance journalist and media lecturer.

Reviews

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Conspiracy in the heart of Westminster."
it is almost a year since Scotland voted in the referendum not to leave Great Britain. Whilst in London, following up a story for the Standard, a chance encounter convinces free lance journalist Willie Morton, that he must have a double, a man called Philip. Curious, and with time to kill, he decides to visit the gentleman's club frequented by Mr.Philip, knowing the man himself is out of town. The impersonation went well and Morton further learns of a seemingly secret meeting and decides to find out more.

This is a story of corruption, conspiracy and greed, a political thriller and spy story which combines fictional characters within a non fictional backdrop. Once started, it is a complex, interactive web of characters and ideas, all skillfully presented as mystery, with cunning, self centered and very plausible characters giving an air of realism combined with excitement.
Narration is by David Sillars, whose rich English voice and pleasantly soft Scottish accent is very easy on the ear and his performance is good, slow delivery but well paced and modulated, his character voicing s just sufficient. His reading helps to further enliven this already intelligent and, sometimes amusing thriller. The most irritating aspect of the book is the prolonged pre-start chapters, over two minutes to give title, author and narrator names, plus listing other books. To avoid this, skip straight to chapter five.

My thanks to the rights holder of Scorched Nation, book 2 of the Willie Morton thriller series, who at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. It was an enjoyable and satisfying mystery cum political thriller which I recommend to all readers who enjoy spy action stories with very realistic and possible settings.

[Josh Soule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journalist Willie Morton has made an intriguing discovery that he looks remarkably like Phillip Gallimont, a member of GB13, a discrete pro-union organization. Willie attempts to pass a Gallimont and gather some information that he can use - this essentially starts a deadly chain of events as the secrecy and new found threat to Morton's life (due to his involvement) begins to unfold.
This thriller has many great qualities, it cal classify as a political thriller, legal thriller, and has elements of action that would resemble any spy story such as James Bond. Author Andrew Scott has done an incredible job with keeping the suspense going from start to finish, and the vivid details of scenes and characters paints an image and brings the story to life.
Narrator David Sillars was absolutely perfect for the audiobook version of this story.
I highly recommend this book.

[Morag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, topical, Scottish thriller with enough in the way of recent events to add a distinct realism to the novel