Cuddies Strip

by Rob McInroy

Cuddies Strip, a novel by Rob McInroy, was published by Ringwood Publishing in September 2020.

It has been longlisted for the Crime Writers' Association John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award 2021.

In August 1935, Marjory Fenwick, seventeen, and Danny Kerrigan, eighteen, go for a walk on the Cuddies Strip, a lovers’ lane on the outskirts of Perth, Scotland. There is a full moon and, although it is ten o’clock in the evening, the residual heat from the day’s sunshine lingers. Marjory and Danny kiss, hold hands, walk.

In an instant, their lives are changed forever. A shotgun sounds and Danny collapses to the ground. Terrified, Marjory runs for help but she hears footsteps behind her and as she tries to cross a stile she is dragged back into the fields.

What she doesn’t know then is that her ordeal is only just beginning.

Cuddies Strip is a fictionalised account of a true crime which shocked the quiet city of Perth. The novel follows the investigation, as Inspector Conoboy and PC Bob Kelty struggle as much with their own colleagues as they do with the mystery behind such terrible crimes. And it follows the experience of Marjory, for whom justice would become a bitter commodity.

Cuddies Strip details the unfolding investigation as Conoboy and Kelty race to solve the crime before the killer and rapist strikes again, but it also examines the mores of the times and the casual treatment of women in a male-dominated society. It is a novel of hope and belonging, trust and love.

371 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2020

About the author

Rob McInroy is the author of Cuddies Strip, a novel based on true crimes in 1930s Scotland, published by Ringwood Publishing. He has won four short story competitions in the past eighteen months (Hissac, ChipLit Fest, Writing Magazine and the Bedford International Writing Competition). His short stories have been placed or shortlisted in a further sixteen competitions in the past eighteen months. In 2018 he was a winner of the Bradford Literature Festival Northern Noir Crime Novel competition with Cuddies Strip and in 2019, he won the Darling Axe Novel First Page Prize with another novel, Cloudland. He was born in Crieff, Perthshire and his writing is all based on the Perthshire area, from the 1920s to the 2010s. He has an MA (with distinction) in Creative Writing and a PhD in American Literature, both from the University of Hull. He currently lives in Yorkshire.

The follow-up to Cuddies Strip, Barossa Street, set during the abdication crisis of 1936, is published on 11 May 2022

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ Chilling, Thought Provoking, A Gritty Crime Thriller based on Real Events!

Cuddies Strip opens with an absolutely horrific ordeal which leaves a young couple on a date night out down Lovers Lane in serious danger.

Danny and Marjory were enjoying a nice evening out... when Danny gets shot and, as Marjory runs to get help she is attacked and savagely raped.

What happens next is the investigation into the murder and rape of Danny and Marjory. But things Don't happen quickly there was no DNA evidence like there is now.
But for me what stands out more than anything is the horrifying treatment Marjory endures from the Male Dr and the police team, it was absolutely shocking and I just wanted to put my arms around Marjory and care for her.

It's very early on the suspect is revealed which made for a different read, to have the perpetrator revealed so early. You also got snippets of his life and thoughts regarding the assault.

Cuddies Strip is a True Crime Read, which makes this book even more chilling.
There is an array of characters and I must say most i didn't warm too, but that was mainly down to the police handling. Some scenes may be unsettling to read!
This book is gripping, thought provoking and will definitely play with your emotions.
If you enjoyed Crime Thriller based on real events then I recommend you picking up a copy of Cuddies Strip!



Thank you to Love Books Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.





You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/1...

[Tracy Thorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuddies Strip is based on a real life crime that happened in Scotland in 1935 and it details the crime, the investigation and the trial. I really enjoyed Rob McInvoy's narrative and felt he got the personalities of the characters across so well that I felt myself getting angry and frustrated at the way the investigation was handled by some of the officers, and felt sympathy and liking for others. He highlighted the insensitive way that women were treated in a society dominated by men. The book was thought provoking and at times difficult to read because of the topic but I really like reading books that get my emotions going and this one certainly did that.

[Daisy Hollands · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. Based on true life events in 1935, this is a fictionalised account of a dreadful attack on a young couple which left one of them dead and the other brutally injured. The story unfolds with the hunt for the perpetrator and the aftermath of the violent attack as 17 year old Marjory has to come to terms with her ordeal.
This is a gripping story, made all the more moving because real people were involved. Totally immersive and absolutely recommended. A brilliant well written book.

[Lynsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Cuddies Strip’ falls into my favourite niche genre - crime set between the wars and to boot it was also set in Scotland. I had high expectations for this book and it definitely did not disappoint. It was a delight to read as the story telling was sublime, the characters are all unique and well formed and the story itself was believable and more importantly felt human and real.

‘Cuddies Strip’ is based on a true crime which occurred in Perth but it is the story behind this that is told here and I seriously encourage you to read it. There is an authors note at the start of the book which explains that the crimes that take place are real with information coming from newspapers and accounts from that time. All the police characters have been invented by the author. I would have loved to have seen some of those articles as maybe an appendix at the end but that’s me just being a history geek! But I think this is given ‘Cuddies Strip’ a magical feel, why it feels so life like and realistic. That’s because it is. This crime actually took place. This blending between true crime and fiction what makes this book and it deserves to be read.

This is definitely a book of two halves - the first being the investigation of the crime and the second occurs when the case goes to trial. All the characters follow through the halves though and the characters I loved carried on developing and evolving. I really enjoyed the younger generation of characters here - Bob, Annie and Margery. The Inspector’s wife was also an intriguing character. But it was Bob who stole my heart in this tale. The size of his heart, so empathic, highly intuitive. I think I have a book crush on him! I would love to read more books with him in it.

Basically, I have been left wanting to carry on finding out about these characters and that to me is the sign of an amazing story. Easy 5⭐️ from me!

[Hayley Burrell]

Who knew that what started as a romantic evening stroll for a teenage couple in the summer of mid 1930’s, would turn into bloodshed and assault before the end of a lover’s lane? Cuddie’s Strip is a fascinating historical fiction novel where apart from the people of Perthshire, the murder of Daniel Kerrigan and rape of girlfriend Marjory Fenwick is little-known to the rest of the world. Shining a spotlight on this particular crime, the novel is told from the perspectives of Inspector Conoboy and PC Bob Kelty as they grapple with the prejudiced views of their fellow colleagues as well as the investigation at hand. This was from a period when women were seen and not believed and similar internal screams of “What are you doing?!” as those with the similar attitudes during the late-century reign of the Yorkshire Ripper. This is perfect for someone like me who is keen to read and research more about little-known crimes before they become serialised as big-budget television documentaries. You read it here first!

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true crime story, the novel highlights the treatment of women in a society that is male dominated. Even though the novel is set in 1935, it somehow reflects the contemporary state of the society as well.

It starts with two innocent young sweethearts walking home from the Cuddies Strip. Abruptly from nowhere, two shots ring out and eighteen-year-old Daniel Kerrigan slumps to the ground, fatally wounded. His girl-friend, seventeen-year-old Marjory runs, but is chased, caught, attacked and molested, then left injured but alive.

The story tests the patience and strength of a human spirit and shakes the reader thoroughly.

The torment through which Marjory goes through is intense and when in the end when Daniel Kerrigan’s murder charge Not Proven, it is saddening and disheartening.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book based on true events however as these events happened in the thirties it does have ways of treating people and language used that might not be comfortable to a modern reader, however the fact that it is based on real events made it more intriguing. The characters are interesting and I would be interested to read more to see what happened to them in future novels, this book definitely leaves you wondering what their future will be. The use of the Scot’s accent throughout makes it more authentic but doesn’t make it hard to read. An interesting introduction to the author 4* from me

[Rosie Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I thought was the captivating about this novel is the plot based around real historical events. Even more so though, it is so enlightening for showing the gender divine in the 1930's - and more importantly the mistreatment of women in the male-centric society. Tear jerking, wonderfully gripping and heart breaking, this book is such a page turner!

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine book. Everything is laid out very early on, so the story coasts on a plethora of characters that create a sense of place but not really a depth or any dramatic tension. It heavy handedly makes emotional an otherwise classic narrative perspective, but it’s simple writing makes it a quick and easy read. It’s not unenjoyable, but it’s not one that I’ll remember for a while.

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This book has my attention right from the start. Perth is my home town and I had heard about this book. Once I started it I could not put it down.Read with a tear in my eye for the injustice! He should have been found guilty of the murder.

[Megan Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner, I enjoyed every minute of it. I can't wait to read the sequel!

[Dan Malakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far from your usual by numbers crime thriller. All the more gripping from it being based on true events! Highly recommended

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5- This is based on true events in 1935 in Scotland, Daniel and Marjory are a young couple in love, walking along Cuddies Strip which is a well known lover’s lane. Daniel is murdered and Marjory is subjected to a horrific attack that will change her life forever. The story follows the attack, Marjory’s ordeal after, and the police trying to catch the perpetrator.

This was a great true crime story, I had never heard of these events before and was intrigued by this story. My heart went out to Marjory and It was very frustrating to see how she was treated by the police, and it was definitely not like a victim should be treated. It was also interesting as we followed the perpetrator and his own personal thoughts on things. Would recommend to any true crime fan.