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Harry McCoy #2
Hijos de febrero
Bodies are piling up with grisly messages carved into their chests. Rival gangs are competing for control of Glasgow’s underworld and it seems that Cooper, McCoy’s oldest gangster friend, is tangled up in it all.
Detective Harry McCoy’s first day back at work couldn’t have gone worse.
New drugs have arrived in Glasgow, and they’ve brought a different kind of violence to the broken city. The law of the street is changing and now demons from McCoy’s past are coming back to haunt him. But vengeance always carries a price, and it could cost McCoy more than he ever imagined.
The waters of Glasgow corruption are creeping higher, as the wealthy and dangerous play for power. And the city’s killer continues his dark mission.
Can McCoy keep his head up for long enough to solve the case?
Bruised and battered from the events of Bloody January, McCoy returns for a breathless ride through the ruthless world of 1970s Glasgow.
Detective Harry McCoy’s first day back at work couldn’t have gone worse.
New drugs have arrived in Glasgow, and they’ve brought a different kind of violence to the broken city. The law of the street is changing and now demons from McCoy’s past are coming back to haunt him. But vengeance always carries a price, and it could cost McCoy more than he ever imagined.
The waters of Glasgow corruption are creeping higher, as the wealthy and dangerous play for power. And the city’s killer continues his dark mission.
Can McCoy keep his head up for long enough to solve the case?
Bruised and battered from the events of Bloody January, McCoy returns for a breathless ride through the ruthless world of 1970s Glasgow.
429 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2019
290 people are currently reading
1118 people want to read
About the author
Alan Parks
10 books114 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Alan Parks has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. His debut novel Bloody January was one of the top crime debuts of 2018 and was shortlisted for the prestigious international crime prize the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He lives and works in Glasgow
Alan Parks has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. His debut novel Bloody January was one of the top crime debuts of 2018 and was shortlisted for the prestigious international crime prize the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He lives and works in Glasgow
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
January 26, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
DI Harry McCoy’s second outing, has him up against a serial killer with a penchant for carving messages into his victim’s chests. This is 70’s Glasgow - a time of infamous street gangs, where the mere thrill of violence for the sake of it, was replaced by a need to also protect one’s patch, and therefore one’s profits, with the growing supply in illegal drugs.
It’s against this backdrop that McCoy returns to work bruised and battered from his previous case, to discover that a former minder and gang member has gone rogue and is systematically killing those he feels have wronged him. In addition, new drugs have arrived in the city, causing new levels of violence to erupt in a bid to control this lucrative trade, and McCoy’s gangster friend Cooper, seems to be right in the thick of it.
This is a fast paced plot that allows little time to catch your breath as McCoy and his team pursue the killer. The characters are mainly ruthless, resulting in some distressing scenes, and our protagonist (despite being a police officer) is not exactly saintly either, though he somehow manages to have you onside.
Though this is the second in the series, it reads well as a stand-alone. Author Alan Parks has spent over 20 years in the music industry, but it’s clear that he’s really found his calling with two excellent books under his belt, and the third in the series publishing shortly. Make a note of his name - because in my humble opinion, he’s right up there with the best already, and certainly one to watch out for!
* My thanks to Readers First for my print copy of February’s Son. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
DI Harry McCoy’s second outing, has him up against a serial killer with a penchant for carving messages into his victim’s chests. This is 70’s Glasgow - a time of infamous street gangs, where the mere thrill of violence for the sake of it, was replaced by a need to also protect one’s patch, and therefore one’s profits, with the growing supply in illegal drugs.
It’s against this backdrop that McCoy returns to work bruised and battered from his previous case, to discover that a former minder and gang member has gone rogue and is systematically killing those he feels have wronged him. In addition, new drugs have arrived in the city, causing new levels of violence to erupt in a bid to control this lucrative trade, and McCoy’s gangster friend Cooper, seems to be right in the thick of it.
This is a fast paced plot that allows little time to catch your breath as McCoy and his team pursue the killer. The characters are mainly ruthless, resulting in some distressing scenes, and our protagonist (despite being a police officer) is not exactly saintly either, though he somehow manages to have you onside.
Though this is the second in the series, it reads well as a stand-alone. Author Alan Parks has spent over 20 years in the music industry, but it’s clear that he’s really found his calling with two excellent books under his belt, and the third in the series publishing shortly. Make a note of his name - because in my humble opinion, he’s right up there with the best already, and certainly one to watch out for!
* My thanks to Readers First for my print copy of February’s Son. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
January 2, 2019
Alan Parks writes the darkest of Scottish Noir and establishes himself as a heavyweight crime fiction author with this sequel to his debut, the harrowing Bloody January, set in a brutal Glasgow in the winter of 1973. DI Harry McCoy has been recalled early by Chief Inspector Hector Murray to lead an investigation into the gruesome murder of a promising Celtic footballer, whose fiancee just happens to be Elaine Scobie, the daughter of a ageing Glasgow gang leader. The suspect is clear from the beginning, a lethal killer consumed with a deadly obsession for Elaine. There are disturbing insights into the wily killer's mind in the narrative, but the police are thwarted at every turn when it comes to arresting him. The suicide of a homeless man in a church brings back the terrifyingly haunted past of McCoy, sparking a thirst for vengeance that threatens to unravel everything that matters in his life, including his mental health.
Nature abhors a vacuum, and when one appears in Glasgow's ganglands, it kicks off a vicious no-holds barred gang war as new drugs flood the city. And McCoy's friend, Stevie Cooper, a man he has been warned to stay away from, sits in the centre, like a spider with a spreading web that takes in every aspect of Glasgow's criminal underworld. With his life in danger, Harry is determined to get to the truth of a twisted and bizarre investigation that involves more murders, lobotomies, abductions and more as danger stalks him everywhere. Readers should be warned that Parks creates an authentically brutal and bleak picture of a Glasgow in the 1970s with its notorious hard men and a police force often in cahoots with the criminals, aiming to deal with only the worst aspects of the gang world. This is a fantastic, atmospheric, mesmerising and utterly gripping addition to this stunning series and I am looking forward with great anticipation to the next book. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Canongate for an ARC.
Nature abhors a vacuum, and when one appears in Glasgow's ganglands, it kicks off a vicious no-holds barred gang war as new drugs flood the city. And McCoy's friend, Stevie Cooper, a man he has been warned to stay away from, sits in the centre, like a spider with a spreading web that takes in every aspect of Glasgow's criminal underworld. With his life in danger, Harry is determined to get to the truth of a twisted and bizarre investigation that involves more murders, lobotomies, abductions and more as danger stalks him everywhere. Readers should be warned that Parks creates an authentically brutal and bleak picture of a Glasgow in the 1970s with its notorious hard men and a police force often in cahoots with the criminals, aiming to deal with only the worst aspects of the gang world. This is a fantastic, atmospheric, mesmerising and utterly gripping addition to this stunning series and I am looking forward with great anticipation to the next book. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Canongate for an ARC.
June 10, 2019
Glasgow police detective Harry McCoy, the protagonist of Alan Parks's debut novel, Bloody January, returns in February's Son. The story takes place during a freezing winter in the 1970s, and McCoy is still recovering from the events that occurred in the first book when he is assigned a new case involving the brutal murder of a promising young footballer. The victim has been hacked to death and a message has been carved into his chest.
It turns out that the murdered man was engaged to marry Elaine Scobie, the daughter of a major Glasgow drug dealer, and that adds an entirely new perspective to the case. The principal suspect is a man named Connolly, a vicious thug who works for Elaine's father and who apparently had a thing for Elaine himself. Connelly has disappeared, and as more corpses keep turning up, the pressure on Harry McCoy ratchets up as well.
McCoy has his own connection to the underworld in the form of his best friend, Stevie Cooper. The two have a history that dates back to the time when they were both young boys, and in spite of the pressure from his bosses, McCoy is not about to turn his back on Cooper who will play an instrumental role in this case.
This is a very dark, hard-boiled novel, with a cast of creepy and interesting characters. Harry McCoy is one of the most tortured protagonists in modern crime fiction, and watching him work this case is riveting. The plot is compelling; the settings are vividly rendered, and this book suggests that Alan Parks has a very bright future in crime fiction.
It turns out that the murdered man was engaged to marry Elaine Scobie, the daughter of a major Glasgow drug dealer, and that adds an entirely new perspective to the case. The principal suspect is a man named Connolly, a vicious thug who works for Elaine's father and who apparently had a thing for Elaine himself. Connelly has disappeared, and as more corpses keep turning up, the pressure on Harry McCoy ratchets up as well.
McCoy has his own connection to the underworld in the form of his best friend, Stevie Cooper. The two have a history that dates back to the time when they were both young boys, and in spite of the pressure from his bosses, McCoy is not about to turn his back on Cooper who will play an instrumental role in this case.
This is a very dark, hard-boiled novel, with a cast of creepy and interesting characters. Harry McCoy is one of the most tortured protagonists in modern crime fiction, and watching him work this case is riveting. The plot is compelling; the settings are vividly rendered, and this book suggests that Alan Parks has a very bright future in crime fiction.
November 20, 2022
It's a Family Affair.*
When a famous young athlete is found murdered, Detective McCoy and his cohorts are called to the scene. The slain man was the fiance’ of a crime boss’s daughter, creating a volatile situation.
Resilient and street smart, Harry McCoy balances a precarious existence and you’d be right to think that he’s lived a lot for a mere thirty years. Being bludgeoned, knocked around, and sliced up is all in a day's work.
However, it’s beginning to take a toll - in addition to Harry’s other issues. In a running subplot, McCoy’s murky background is revealed further and builds from the first book. The story is at once riveting and disturbing.
This is my favorite of the five books in the series. I know, I said the same in my last review but this had an extra flavor - a slight horror feel.
While I loved this book, I also think it was a tad coarser and darker than the other four - and that’s saying something. Yet, the comedic flow of sardonic dialog had me smiling in spite of repellant circumstances.
Which brings me to exclaiming how much I enjoy a writer who gives credit for a reader's ability to decipher without over explanations.
If you enjoy reading police procedurals from an era of blurred lines and seventies drugs - think Quaaludes, Seconals, Black beauties and the like - then this might appeal to you. Expect crassness, perversity, and unconventional witticism along with sharp prose.
Hardback purchased at Amazon.
*Sly and the Family Stone 1972
When a famous young athlete is found murdered, Detective McCoy and his cohorts are called to the scene. The slain man was the fiance’ of a crime boss’s daughter, creating a volatile situation.
Resilient and street smart, Harry McCoy balances a precarious existence and you’d be right to think that he’s lived a lot for a mere thirty years. Being bludgeoned, knocked around, and sliced up is all in a day's work.
However, it’s beginning to take a toll - in addition to Harry’s other issues. In a running subplot, McCoy’s murky background is revealed further and builds from the first book. The story is at once riveting and disturbing.
This is my favorite of the five books in the series. I know, I said the same in my last review but this had an extra flavor - a slight horror feel.
While I loved this book, I also think it was a tad coarser and darker than the other four - and that’s saying something. Yet, the comedic flow of sardonic dialog had me smiling in spite of repellant circumstances.
Which brings me to exclaiming how much I enjoy a writer who gives credit for a reader's ability to decipher without over explanations.
If you enjoy reading police procedurals from an era of blurred lines and seventies drugs - think Quaaludes, Seconals, Black beauties and the like - then this might appeal to you. Expect crassness, perversity, and unconventional witticism along with sharp prose.
Hardback purchased at Amazon.
*Sly and the Family Stone 1972
October 1, 2020
After reading Alan Parks’ impressive debut novel “Bloody January” and thoroughly enjoying, I was looking forward immensely to joining Detective Inspector Harry McCoy again in the second in the series “February’s Son”.
Wow! Move aside Ian Rankin, there’s a new author in town! For #TartanNoir set in 1970’s Glasgow, this is the best series I’ve ever read with its characters, storylines, narrative and ambience, making it stand out with true distinction.
I was very pleased to see McCoy’s sidekick Wattie return in this book, being very green and quite naive to the way policing is done in McCoy’s world, he’s a breath of fresh air to the murky world of police brutality and hard living.
When McCoy returns to work after being signed off fit by the police psychiatrist, following the brutal events during ‘Bloody January’, he is soon thrown back into the underworld when a young Celtic footballer is found savagely murdered. Can McCoy keep his head above water when paths cross over to his childhood and the traumatic experiences he endured whilst in care? With a battle for who is going to run the Northside and McCoy’s old criminal pal Stevie Cooper in the running, there’s guaranteed to be bloodshed. Will he be able to keep out of danger and work out where their suspect is hiding out before he brutally kills again?
I was really sad when I’d finished reading this book, for me it was one of those unputdownable stories you just don’t want to finish and want to continue reading forever. The ending had me smiling with satisfaction and I loved the last page with just two words on it. High praise indeed to Alan Parks for a job well done, a fabulously written, plotted and executed novel that is gripping, addictive and utterly convincing.
However, this gutsy series does come with a hardcore warning of heavy drug use, gangland violence, child abuse and frequent swearing which may offend or upset if affected by these such triggers.
I can’t wait to read the next instalment in Glasgow’s finest, “Bobby March Will Live Forever” and if this hard hitting, gritty genre is for you, you MUST read these books and soon! Highly recommended and I eagerly await the return of Harry again soon.
5 stars and then some....
Wow! Move aside Ian Rankin, there’s a new author in town! For #TartanNoir set in 1970’s Glasgow, this is the best series I’ve ever read with its characters, storylines, narrative and ambience, making it stand out with true distinction.
I was very pleased to see McCoy’s sidekick Wattie return in this book, being very green and quite naive to the way policing is done in McCoy’s world, he’s a breath of fresh air to the murky world of police brutality and hard living.
When McCoy returns to work after being signed off fit by the police psychiatrist, following the brutal events during ‘Bloody January’, he is soon thrown back into the underworld when a young Celtic footballer is found savagely murdered. Can McCoy keep his head above water when paths cross over to his childhood and the traumatic experiences he endured whilst in care? With a battle for who is going to run the Northside and McCoy’s old criminal pal Stevie Cooper in the running, there’s guaranteed to be bloodshed. Will he be able to keep out of danger and work out where their suspect is hiding out before he brutally kills again?
I was really sad when I’d finished reading this book, for me it was one of those unputdownable stories you just don’t want to finish and want to continue reading forever. The ending had me smiling with satisfaction and I loved the last page with just two words on it. High praise indeed to Alan Parks for a job well done, a fabulously written, plotted and executed novel that is gripping, addictive and utterly convincing.
However, this gutsy series does come with a hardcore warning of heavy drug use, gangland violence, child abuse and frequent swearing which may offend or upset if affected by these such triggers.
I can’t wait to read the next instalment in Glasgow’s finest, “Bobby March Will Live Forever” and if this hard hitting, gritty genre is for you, you MUST read these books and soon! Highly recommended and I eagerly await the return of Harry again soon.
5 stars and then some....
January 31, 2020
Harry McCoy #2
Harry McCoy has his work cut out. It's 1970 Glasgow and there's a psychopath on the loose. A young man has been found brutally murdered in a multi storey car park. He was a well known football player and the son-in-law of one of Glasgows crime bosses. But soon the bodies start to mount.
You can tell the author has done his research before writing this book. This is a dark read that covers: drugs, gang warfare and lots of violence. The characters are believable and the storyline is well written. I haven't read the first book in this series but I will soon!
I would like to thank NetGalley, Cannongate and the author Alan Parks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Harry McCoy has his work cut out. It's 1970 Glasgow and there's a psychopath on the loose. A young man has been found brutally murdered in a multi storey car park. He was a well known football player and the son-in-law of one of Glasgows crime bosses. But soon the bodies start to mount.
You can tell the author has done his research before writing this book. This is a dark read that covers: drugs, gang warfare and lots of violence. The characters are believable and the storyline is well written. I haven't read the first book in this series but I will soon!
I would like to thank NetGalley, Cannongate and the author Alan Parks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2023
Do you still feel happy as a policeman? Is it what you really want?
The month of January was the bloodiest on record for Glasgow Detective Harry McCoy, sending him afterwards to a compulsory vacation for psychiatric evaluation. On the day he returns to work, he is greeted with another gruesome sight: a young football star cut to pieces atop a construction site, with a bloody message carved into his chest. It looks like our boy Harry can get no break from horror in this 1973 Glasgow that appears lifted right out of a ‘Sin City’ comic by Frank Miller.
I believe the comparison with Miller is not forced, I would even go so far as to mention that Alan Parks is more believable in his presentation and that his use of explicit violence, depression, mob warfare and f-bombs is never gratuitous but warranted by the kind of story he has to tell.
McCoy read the sign out: “Depression! Nymphomania! Drunkennes! Anxiety! Melancholia! Mania! All can be cured by LOBOTOMY. Ask me why the Government won’t allow it.”
I left a year pass since reading the first book in the series, so I was a little slow to catch up with Harry and with his rookie partner Wattie in this new investigation [ I also wanted to start in February, but I finished the book in March. ] Anyway, there is a definite sense of raising the stakes in both novels, with what begins as an isolated case later revealed to have much higher connections and consequences on the criminal underworld of Glasgow.
In an effort to avoid spoilers, I would mention only that the identity of the criminal is known right from the start, as is his psychopathic nature. What remains to be explained are his motivations, if he is being manipulated by a bad actor with a private agenda, and why the police has such a hard time catching up to him.
‘What is he? The bloody Scarlet Pimpernel?’
The lobotomy question arises out of the interviews Harry has with the killer’s contacts, as does a parallel investigation into a young homeless man’s suicide that hit too close to Harry’s own memories about growing up in orphan’s asylums:
Placed into care for their own protection. Wasn’t even ironic. It was just horrible.
Series regulars do a good job supporting Harry in his investigations, mostly his young partner Wattie, his boss Murray and, on the other side of the Law & Order divide, his childhood pal and current crime kingpin Stevie Cooper.
With such dark subjects as renegade doctors, deranged mind killers and child molesters in positions of power, the novel is in dire need of a sort of relief valve, which comes in the form of an even darker shade of bleak humour. My favorite guest star is the journalist Mary Stewart, who can sling insults, f-bombs and fast puns with the boys of the murder squad.
‘Come on, where’s your sense of humour, Mary?’
‘It’s where my boot’s going to be in a minute, right up your arse. You, arsehole, are going to tell me exactly what you know about a senior policeman’s death to make up for f_cking me about. Right?’
Harry McCoy angle in the series is that he is working both ways of the law: hard drinking, drug sampling, intimidating witnesses and running with the crime gangs when the situation demands it. Harry is no knight in shining armours cleaning mean streets: he’s a cynical, depressed man wondering if it’s worth wearing a badge in his corrupted town.
But he gets the job done, by whatever means at his disposal:
‘Sorry, are you? Well, that’s nice, but I couldn’t give a f_ck. I want you in Barlinnie. I want you to suffer every f_cking day.’ The wailing was increasing. ‘But I’m in a hurry, so there’s a deal on the table.’
Spence nodded, face looking hopeful. ‘Yes, please, anything.’
‘Okay. This is it. Non-repeatable, non-negotiable. You’re going to tell me everything I need to know now. Right now. And when we get to the station and you’re in your cell I’m going to take the turnkey for a cup of tea before he takes away your belt and your shoelaces. Should give you enough time, eh?’
What he was proposing dawned on Spence. His face crumpled.
‘What? Don’t tell me you thought you were getting off?’
>>><<<>>><<<
I made a note in the review of the first book that the plot seemed a bit contrived, too much like the script of an action flick with the need for clever plot twists and for ramping up the stakes. A casual remark late in the current episode sent me down the rabbit hole of internet research to find out that there really were monsters in the late sixties in the north of England, and that the public might have needed somebody like Harry McCoy to go on a crusade against them: real monsters like Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.
I plan to continue with the series, and it would probably be a good idea not to let another year pass before I read the next book.
December 2, 2018
Noirest of noir set in 1970s Glasgow: brutal and violent throughout though not without dark humour at times. The plot is weird and perhaps goes too far on the bonkers side... but the portrayal of gangland politics and the complicity of the police evens out the strange stuff. What makes this so compelling are the characters: McCoy caught between his troubled past and his police present, Connor and Murray as his good and bad 'angels'. The writing is taut and atmospheric - yes, I'm in for more of this series!
Thanks to Canongate for an ARC via NetGalley.
Thanks to Canongate for an ARC via NetGalley.
January 25, 2019
In brief - Darkly nasty and very powerful at times. Not a bad read at all.
In full
This story starts with a nicely nasty prologue and then Harry McCoy is back. There is an unpleasant murder scene of someone who may be well known. Assorted bodies are involved in this dark police story from 1970s Glasgow.
The book essentially carries on from the author's earlier book Bloody January. The characters are allowed to develop further in this book and McCoy seems little changed from the last book. However it does seem possible that his past may come back to haunt him again and to challenge his views on law and order. These are a little shaky at the best of times! While this book could be read as a standalone story I would recommend anyone who hasn't read the first book to do so first. It's a good read and provides useful background to some of the key characters.
It is worth mentioning that this book is fairly violent and does use quite a bit of bad language. That said I'm imagine that is perfectly appropriate for the 1970s crime scene in Glasgow. It's a tense and well paced read. Some of the main characters have developed nicely over the two books as far as I am concerned. I find McCoy - another troubled detective - a very good character.
My only real reservation about this book is that, if I'm honest, I found one of the story lines rather far fetched. That said I enjoyed reading this dark and at times powerful tale. I certainly intend to read the next one.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
http://viewson.org.uk/police/february...
In full
This story starts with a nicely nasty prologue and then Harry McCoy is back. There is an unpleasant murder scene of someone who may be well known. Assorted bodies are involved in this dark police story from 1970s Glasgow.
The book essentially carries on from the author's earlier book Bloody January. The characters are allowed to develop further in this book and McCoy seems little changed from the last book. However it does seem possible that his past may come back to haunt him again and to challenge his views on law and order. These are a little shaky at the best of times! While this book could be read as a standalone story I would recommend anyone who hasn't read the first book to do so first. It's a good read and provides useful background to some of the key characters.
It is worth mentioning that this book is fairly violent and does use quite a bit of bad language. That said I'm imagine that is perfectly appropriate for the 1970s crime scene in Glasgow. It's a tense and well paced read. Some of the main characters have developed nicely over the two books as far as I am concerned. I find McCoy - another troubled detective - a very good character.
My only real reservation about this book is that, if I'm honest, I found one of the story lines rather far fetched. That said I enjoyed reading this dark and at times powerful tale. I certainly intend to read the next one.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
http://viewson.org.uk/police/february...
March 28, 2020
Harry McCoy #2
HareynMcCoy has his work cut out. It's 1970's Glasgowand there's a psychopath on the loose. A young man has been brutally murdered I a multi storey car park. He was a well known football player and the in-son-law of one of Glasgows crime bosses. But soon the bodies start to mount up.
You can tell the author has done his research before writing this book. This is a dark read that covers drugs, gang warfare and lots of violence. The characters are believable and the storyline is well written. I haven't read the first book in this series. But I will, soon.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Cannongate and the author Alan Parks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
HareynMcCoy has his work cut out. It's 1970's Glasgowand there's a psychopath on the loose. A young man has been brutally murdered I a multi storey car park. He was a well known football player and the in-son-law of one of Glasgows crime bosses. But soon the bodies start to mount up.
You can tell the author has done his research before writing this book. This is a dark read that covers drugs, gang warfare and lots of violence. The characters are believable and the storyline is well written. I haven't read the first book in this series. But I will, soon.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Cannongate and the author Alan Parks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2020
Detective Harry McCoy is one tortured individual, and his secret history extends for years. I love the characters in this series. McCoy, Murray, Wattie, and even Stevie. Two books in and they feel like old friends already.
As with the first book, the author stayed with his daily schedule, this time starting with February 10, 1973.
And a warning. Strong language, drug use, and alcohol use are prevalent. Child abuse is part of the theme.
Third book is coming next month!
As with the first book, the author stayed with his daily schedule, this time starting with February 10, 1973.
And a warning. Strong language, drug use, and alcohol use are prevalent. Child abuse is part of the theme.
Third book is coming next month!
February 4, 2021
Segundo de la serie del detective Harry McCoy que sigue a "Enero sangriento". Tal como puse aquí ya me gustó la primera y esta me ha gustado todavía más. Lo tiene todo para mi gusto, ojalá siga durante mucho tiempo. Personajes muy bien desarrollados y unas tramas que te mantienen en vilo. Bajo mi punto de vista, muy recomendable.
December 29, 2018
February’s Son is the second book in the Harry McCoy series by British author, Alan Parks. It’s February 1973 and Harry is just back at the Glasgow Police Force after a three-week break that included compulsory visits to the Police psychologist. But straight off, DCI Murray has him at a bloody and brutal murder scene: a football star has been drugged and mutilated and left on the roof of a building under construction.
The victim’s prospective father-in-law, a Glasgow crime figure, is certain it has been done by the strong arm he used to employ, but this dangerous man has gone into hiding. The fiancée seems more annoyed than in grief, and quite certain she is in no danger herself. But more disfigured bodies turn up (nasty words carved in flesh and Mandrax seem to be a common feature), and the murderer proves difficult to track down, managing to slip away from Police more than once.
Harry, meanwhile, is distracted by the suicide death, in a chapel, of a destitute alcoholic. Harry seems to have a special rapport with Glasgow’s homeless, but this time, there’s something more, and soon he’s on a violent revenge mission with his criminal pal, Stevie Cooper. But Harry’s a cop: is this a line he’s crossing?
Against the background of a battle for control of Glasgow’s criminal elements, this fast-paced thriller includes paedophiles, lobotomies, and a vicious psychopath, as it races towards a nail-biting climax. Several characters require stitches on multiple occasions. Harry still indulges heavily in alcohol, tobacco and drugs, and barely hesitates before using violence, but he does seem to be saving intimacies for Susan. And does his chosen career really fit well with a blood phobia?
There is some good detective work achieved and young Wattie does something quite heroic. While there are no major spoilers for the first book in the series, Bloody January, and this one can stand alone, the first book does give some useful background on the characters and their history. Again, the prolific use of expletives may offend some readers, but there’s a bit of black humour in the banter. Excellent Scottish Noir.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin
The victim’s prospective father-in-law, a Glasgow crime figure, is certain it has been done by the strong arm he used to employ, but this dangerous man has gone into hiding. The fiancée seems more annoyed than in grief, and quite certain she is in no danger herself. But more disfigured bodies turn up (nasty words carved in flesh and Mandrax seem to be a common feature), and the murderer proves difficult to track down, managing to slip away from Police more than once.
Harry, meanwhile, is distracted by the suicide death, in a chapel, of a destitute alcoholic. Harry seems to have a special rapport with Glasgow’s homeless, but this time, there’s something more, and soon he’s on a violent revenge mission with his criminal pal, Stevie Cooper. But Harry’s a cop: is this a line he’s crossing?
Against the background of a battle for control of Glasgow’s criminal elements, this fast-paced thriller includes paedophiles, lobotomies, and a vicious psychopath, as it races towards a nail-biting climax. Several characters require stitches on multiple occasions. Harry still indulges heavily in alcohol, tobacco and drugs, and barely hesitates before using violence, but he does seem to be saving intimacies for Susan. And does his chosen career really fit well with a blood phobia?
There is some good detective work achieved and young Wattie does something quite heroic. While there are no major spoilers for the first book in the series, Bloody January, and this one can stand alone, the first book does give some useful background on the characters and their history. Again, the prolific use of expletives may offend some readers, but there’s a bit of black humour in the banter. Excellent Scottish Noir.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin
January 9, 2019
February's Son by Alan Marks is the second police procedural involving troubled Glasgow detective Harry McCoy. Harry, who is still drinking too much, as well as other things, now finds himself in a seemingly stable relationship, while still dealing with his own past. The novel opens with the discovery of a mutilated murder victim on the rainy roof of building under construction. The murder is soon linked to a local crime boss which includes a widening net of characters, including Stevie Cooper, the violent and close childhood friend of Harry McCoy.
As the murders continue, more details are revealed about McCoy and his past and of his deep relationship with Cooper. Parks includes a wide variety characters that include a slimy, dapper criminal defense attorney, a seemingly straitlaced boss whom might be corrupt, a roaming discredited doctor fond of shock therapy and lobotomies and Watson, McCoy's green number two sidekick.
Parks' novels involving the McCoy character are impressive crime novels. He creates a violent, dark and ominous 1970's Glasgow with complex characters.
This novel and Parks' previous Harry McCoy novel, Bloody January, are highly recommended for fans of Ian Rankin and Adrian McKinty.
As the murders continue, more details are revealed about McCoy and his past and of his deep relationship with Cooper. Parks includes a wide variety characters that include a slimy, dapper criminal defense attorney, a seemingly straitlaced boss whom might be corrupt, a roaming discredited doctor fond of shock therapy and lobotomies and Watson, McCoy's green number two sidekick.
Parks' novels involving the McCoy character are impressive crime novels. He creates a violent, dark and ominous 1970's Glasgow with complex characters.
This novel and Parks' previous Harry McCoy novel, Bloody January, are highly recommended for fans of Ian Rankin and Adrian McKinty.
January 4, 2019
February’s Son is another very good, very dark thriller from Alan Parks.
Be warned, this is about as Noir as it gets; it’s cold, wet and dark all the time, there is some horrible violence and some very unpleasant characters, plus liberal (although entirely realistic) use of the f- and c-words. Parks is a good enough writer to forge this into a convincing and gripping novel.
It is February 1973 in Glasgow, just a few weeks after the events of Bloody January (which I would recommend you read first). DI McCoy’s shady relationship with Stevie Cooper continues as their joint childhood history comes back with a bang, and there’s a deranged gangland hit-man on a killing spree. A tangled (but comprehensible) plot develops involving the manhunt, struggles for power in the criminal underworld and historical child abuse. The latter is a terribly over-used trope in crime fiction nowadays, but again, Parks handles it with real skill so that it never seems like a lazy device but is a genuine part of the story. The prose and dialogue are excellent, painting very realistic portraits of both the setting and the characters and he paces and structures the story very well.
I have to say that the climax did get a bit silly and over-the-top, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment. I thought this was very good and this is shaping up to be a very fine series. Recommended.
(My thanks to Canongate for an ARC via NetGalley.)
Be warned, this is about as Noir as it gets; it’s cold, wet and dark all the time, there is some horrible violence and some very unpleasant characters, plus liberal (although entirely realistic) use of the f- and c-words. Parks is a good enough writer to forge this into a convincing and gripping novel.
It is February 1973 in Glasgow, just a few weeks after the events of Bloody January (which I would recommend you read first). DI McCoy’s shady relationship with Stevie Cooper continues as their joint childhood history comes back with a bang, and there’s a deranged gangland hit-man on a killing spree. A tangled (but comprehensible) plot develops involving the manhunt, struggles for power in the criminal underworld and historical child abuse. The latter is a terribly over-used trope in crime fiction nowadays, but again, Parks handles it with real skill so that it never seems like a lazy device but is a genuine part of the story. The prose and dialogue are excellent, painting very realistic portraits of both the setting and the characters and he paces and structures the story very well.
I have to say that the climax did get a bit silly and over-the-top, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment. I thought this was very good and this is shaping up to be a very fine series. Recommended.
(My thanks to Canongate for an ARC via NetGalley.)
January 24, 2020
Uncompromising 1970s Tartan noir with a damaged & morally conflicted protagonist. Utterly compelling.
After my unexpected enjoyment of Alan Parks’s fascinating debut, Bloody January, I was eagerly awaiting my second visit to the Glasgow of the 1970s that he so vividly captures and another encounter with morally conflicted DS Harry McCoy, whose own demons play havoc with his mental stability and blur the boundaries of his policing. Three weeks after the events of Bloody January, his statutory appointments attended and declared psychologically fit for duty, DS McCoy finds himself at the top of an unfinished tower block looking up at the night sky and looking down on a macabre crime scene. Recognising the victim as a promising Celtic footballer engaged to Elaine Scobie, whose ageing gangster father runs the Northside of the city, the murder has personal written all over it. With a message carved into his chest the obvious theory is that the victim was cheating on Elaine, but this is quickly dispelled by the sinister revelation that Jake Scobie’s hit-man, psychopathic Kevin Connolly, is dangerously obsessed by Elaine.
Finding Connolly is however a far more difficult matter as he leads Murray and McCoy a merry dance and Elaine’s fiancé is just his first victim as he plots a course that seems determined to see off anyone standing in his way, including former boss, Jake Scobie. As the jockeying for position for control of the city with Scobie out of the way gets underway, Stevie Cooper angles himself and his empire into prime position to bring the new wave of drugs to the city. With the city up for grabs, Connolly on the loose and Elaine refusing to go into protective custody, the plot is fast-moving and Parks’s eye for characterisation introduces some memorably depraved figures. As McCoy wrestles with how to shut down Connolly, the chance sighting of a newspaper article reignites the painful trauma of his childhood and sees him deviate from the straight line that he often straddles. But as both separate plots get entangled into one big investigation, McCoy’s transgression risks coming perilously to being revealed and pushing him over the edge with it.
February’s Son plays out from the perspective of troubled McCoy with the exception of brief excerpts which provide snapshots into the seriously disturbed mind of the perpetrator. Watching McCoy work this second case and factor in the opportunity for some retribution of his own combines to make for mesmerising reading. Deeply flawed and inured to the casual violence around him, McCoy has a taste for booze and drugs and his traumatic experiences in a Catholic run boys care home have formed a lasting bond with shady Stevie Cooper, already a major player in the Glasgow underworld. This second instalment continues with the drip feed of McCoy’s history with a revelatory insight into his paternal bond with Murray which adds further depth to his deeply flawed character. Unenviably green junior detective, Wattie, acts as something of a counterbalance with McCoy forced to justify the damage limitation policing that keeps the wheels of huge city mired in problems turning. Characters in the story get what they want through a mixture of violence, blackmail and the threat of reprisals and whilst it might not to be subtle it is very effective and hugely compelling.
The atmosphere is penetrating with a hostile winter underway and the crumbling tenements, casual violence and culture of drink, drugs and seediness painting an unseemly and grim picture of the city of Glasgow. The attitudes, ambiguous morals of the characters and the crude language with every second word a profanity feels entirely appropriate with criminals and cops all rubbing shoulders in order to get what and where they want. The denouement admittedly felt somewhat inordinate but it did not detract one iota from my enjoyment of the novel or a second riveting encounter with the Glasgow underworld. Furthermore I found the evolution of McCoy’s character and a deepening understanding of his integral relationships with both Stevie Cooper and Chief Inspector Murray enlightening. Superior characterisation, authentic dialogue and this second instalments leaves DS Harry McCoy on a knife edge and I cannot wait to see where he goes from here.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
After my unexpected enjoyment of Alan Parks’s fascinating debut, Bloody January, I was eagerly awaiting my second visit to the Glasgow of the 1970s that he so vividly captures and another encounter with morally conflicted DS Harry McCoy, whose own demons play havoc with his mental stability and blur the boundaries of his policing. Three weeks after the events of Bloody January, his statutory appointments attended and declared psychologically fit for duty, DS McCoy finds himself at the top of an unfinished tower block looking up at the night sky and looking down on a macabre crime scene. Recognising the victim as a promising Celtic footballer engaged to Elaine Scobie, whose ageing gangster father runs the Northside of the city, the murder has personal written all over it. With a message carved into his chest the obvious theory is that the victim was cheating on Elaine, but this is quickly dispelled by the sinister revelation that Jake Scobie’s hit-man, psychopathic Kevin Connolly, is dangerously obsessed by Elaine.
Finding Connolly is however a far more difficult matter as he leads Murray and McCoy a merry dance and Elaine’s fiancé is just his first victim as he plots a course that seems determined to see off anyone standing in his way, including former boss, Jake Scobie. As the jockeying for position for control of the city with Scobie out of the way gets underway, Stevie Cooper angles himself and his empire into prime position to bring the new wave of drugs to the city. With the city up for grabs, Connolly on the loose and Elaine refusing to go into protective custody, the plot is fast-moving and Parks’s eye for characterisation introduces some memorably depraved figures. As McCoy wrestles with how to shut down Connolly, the chance sighting of a newspaper article reignites the painful trauma of his childhood and sees him deviate from the straight line that he often straddles. But as both separate plots get entangled into one big investigation, McCoy’s transgression risks coming perilously to being revealed and pushing him over the edge with it.
February’s Son plays out from the perspective of troubled McCoy with the exception of brief excerpts which provide snapshots into the seriously disturbed mind of the perpetrator. Watching McCoy work this second case and factor in the opportunity for some retribution of his own combines to make for mesmerising reading. Deeply flawed and inured to the casual violence around him, McCoy has a taste for booze and drugs and his traumatic experiences in a Catholic run boys care home have formed a lasting bond with shady Stevie Cooper, already a major player in the Glasgow underworld. This second instalment continues with the drip feed of McCoy’s history with a revelatory insight into his paternal bond with Murray which adds further depth to his deeply flawed character. Unenviably green junior detective, Wattie, acts as something of a counterbalance with McCoy forced to justify the damage limitation policing that keeps the wheels of huge city mired in problems turning. Characters in the story get what they want through a mixture of violence, blackmail and the threat of reprisals and whilst it might not to be subtle it is very effective and hugely compelling.
The atmosphere is penetrating with a hostile winter underway and the crumbling tenements, casual violence and culture of drink, drugs and seediness painting an unseemly and grim picture of the city of Glasgow. The attitudes, ambiguous morals of the characters and the crude language with every second word a profanity feels entirely appropriate with criminals and cops all rubbing shoulders in order to get what and where they want. The denouement admittedly felt somewhat inordinate but it did not detract one iota from my enjoyment of the novel or a second riveting encounter with the Glasgow underworld. Furthermore I found the evolution of McCoy’s character and a deepening understanding of his integral relationships with both Stevie Cooper and Chief Inspector Murray enlightening. Superior characterisation, authentic dialogue and this second instalments leaves DS Harry McCoy on a knife edge and I cannot wait to see where he goes from here.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 30, 2023
This book was just as good, if not better, than the first Harry book.
January 5, 2022
Great characters,gritty (very),and sad.Only "complaint" is the violence done to McCoy is a bit too much.All that in a few days and he keeps going? Mmmm.
So,9/10
So,9/10
February 16, 2019
the latest in the Glasgow crime noir thriller based in early 1970's Glasgow and its very dark and gritty and doesn't disappoint. this time the backdrop is the growing drug problem and tensions with the gangs and the death of a leading gang leader. like the lead character who is a damaged soul and on the edge and find parks is a new voice of Scottish crime noir
July 4, 2019
Although this is the follow-up to Alan Parks' debut novel, it is my first experience with the author. And all I can say is, "brilliant!" This is one of the best books I've read this year, and I will eagerly seek out the first of his novels, Bloody January. But, let's talk about February's Son, which features a brutal series of murders in Glasgow during the winter of 1973.
Parks talents include a gripping plot, complete with compelling and believable settings. One can feel the damp cold penetrating through the pages as his protagonist, DI Harry McCoy tries to track down a psychopathic killer called Connolly, break in a new detective trainee, and wrestle with some very dark personal demons. McCoy is truly a complex, tortured soul, but one for whom I rooted at every turn. He has a strong relationship with his boss, a tough as nails Chief Inspector named Murray, and though I'd like to say more on the matter, it would spoil part of the story. As if this weren't enough for a single character, McCoy also has a long standing relationship, stemming from childhood, with a dangerous criminal named Stevie Cooper. They are, in fact, best mates, loyal to one another but standing on opposite sides of the law. I told you he was a complex character.
The strength of this novel lies not just in the dark, tension-filled plot. It lives in the dialogue, the smoke from pipes, cigarettes, joints, the smell of beer and piss and all that goes into a noir novel set in Scotland. There is something magical in the writing that transports the reader, and the pages seem to turn themselves. The line between ethics and justice, between good and bad, are constantly tested, shifted and stretched in this book. It is gruesome at times, brutal and in your face. But it is also emotionally rewarding, taking the reader on a roller coaster ride through highs and lows. I admit to being a fan of murder mysteries set in Scotland, Ireland, and the like, but only because I've been fortunate enough to read the works of excellent writers such as McKinty, French, and now... Alan Parks. His future in this genre seems rather bright.
Parks talents include a gripping plot, complete with compelling and believable settings. One can feel the damp cold penetrating through the pages as his protagonist, DI Harry McCoy tries to track down a psychopathic killer called Connolly, break in a new detective trainee, and wrestle with some very dark personal demons. McCoy is truly a complex, tortured soul, but one for whom I rooted at every turn. He has a strong relationship with his boss, a tough as nails Chief Inspector named Murray, and though I'd like to say more on the matter, it would spoil part of the story. As if this weren't enough for a single character, McCoy also has a long standing relationship, stemming from childhood, with a dangerous criminal named Stevie Cooper. They are, in fact, best mates, loyal to one another but standing on opposite sides of the law. I told you he was a complex character.
The strength of this novel lies not just in the dark, tension-filled plot. It lives in the dialogue, the smoke from pipes, cigarettes, joints, the smell of beer and piss and all that goes into a noir novel set in Scotland. There is something magical in the writing that transports the reader, and the pages seem to turn themselves. The line between ethics and justice, between good and bad, are constantly tested, shifted and stretched in this book. It is gruesome at times, brutal and in your face. But it is also emotionally rewarding, taking the reader on a roller coaster ride through highs and lows. I admit to being a fan of murder mysteries set in Scotland, Ireland, and the like, but only because I've been fortunate enough to read the works of excellent writers such as McKinty, French, and now... Alan Parks. His future in this genre seems rather bright.
September 15, 2022
Una historia sobre abusos, asesinatos y venganza, donde un policía es arrastrado a una espiral de speed, cerveza y luchas de poder en el hampa de los bajos fondos de Glasgow. Novela negra pura y dura. Magistral.
October 22, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley Netgalley and Cannongate Books for an advance copy of February’s Son, the second novel to feature detective Harry McCoy of the Glasgow Police.
When rising football star, Charlie Jackson is found mutilated and dead, alarm bells ring all over “the shop” as he was engaged to the daughter of ganglord, Jake Scobie. McCoy is called in early from leave to work the case but with his past coming back to haunt him and his criminal friend, Stevie Cooper, getting entangled in the investigation the hunt for a psychopathic killer on a mission is not always his top priority.
I thoroughly enjoyed February’s Son which is an interesting procedural (ok, it’s set in 1973 when procedure was a suggestion rather than a rule book) with some very good, clever twists that I never saw coming. The novel is told mostly from McCoy’s point of view with some brief chapters in italics from the killer. I like the fact that the author keeps his main narrative focussed on the one character as it gives the reader continuity and someone to identify with. It also allows the reader to speculate on events as they know nothing more or less than McCoy. I also like the killer’s chapters which are brief enough not to overly intrude on the main story but paint a picture of a very disturbed mind. There is none of the usual sob story back history (which I can’t stand as it is normally culled from the psychopath 101 textbook) instead it is a reflection of his current state of mind, making it fascinating I’d at times incomprehensible reading.
It should be noted that this is a violent novel with frequent use of bad language. It will not suit every reader but I found it consistent with the era and setting. I like a novel set in my old home town of Glasgow, finding an easy familiarity in the locations and vernacular and this suits well. What I wasn’t expecting was the sense of nostalgia at the mentions of long defunct establishments. I was 10 in 1973 so I don’t quite remember the actual shops and restaurants but the names certainly took me back. Mr Parks has obviously done his research. I also loved the patter in the book. I don’t think it is too Glaswegian that readers from other regions won’t understand it but it nails the black, deprecating humour I grew up with.
I was a wee bit disappointed in the evolution of Harry McCoy (hence 4 rather than 5 stars). He is obviously a man in crisis and running off the rails faster than he can think, drink, drugs and violence are becoming the norm for him. It’s not pretty reading and it sickened me slightly but, on the other hand, I can admire it as a good piece of writing to evoke these sentiments. The best character is Chief Inspector Murray, McCoy’s boss who is tough as old boots and liable to lose his temper at any minute but with a well concealed soft centre.
February’s Son is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When rising football star, Charlie Jackson is found mutilated and dead, alarm bells ring all over “the shop” as he was engaged to the daughter of ganglord, Jake Scobie. McCoy is called in early from leave to work the case but with his past coming back to haunt him and his criminal friend, Stevie Cooper, getting entangled in the investigation the hunt for a psychopathic killer on a mission is not always his top priority.
I thoroughly enjoyed February’s Son which is an interesting procedural (ok, it’s set in 1973 when procedure was a suggestion rather than a rule book) with some very good, clever twists that I never saw coming. The novel is told mostly from McCoy’s point of view with some brief chapters in italics from the killer. I like the fact that the author keeps his main narrative focussed on the one character as it gives the reader continuity and someone to identify with. It also allows the reader to speculate on events as they know nothing more or less than McCoy. I also like the killer’s chapters which are brief enough not to overly intrude on the main story but paint a picture of a very disturbed mind. There is none of the usual sob story back history (which I can’t stand as it is normally culled from the psychopath 101 textbook) instead it is a reflection of his current state of mind, making it fascinating I’d at times incomprehensible reading.
It should be noted that this is a violent novel with frequent use of bad language. It will not suit every reader but I found it consistent with the era and setting. I like a novel set in my old home town of Glasgow, finding an easy familiarity in the locations and vernacular and this suits well. What I wasn’t expecting was the sense of nostalgia at the mentions of long defunct establishments. I was 10 in 1973 so I don’t quite remember the actual shops and restaurants but the names certainly took me back. Mr Parks has obviously done his research. I also loved the patter in the book. I don’t think it is too Glaswegian that readers from other regions won’t understand it but it nails the black, deprecating humour I grew up with.
I was a wee bit disappointed in the evolution of Harry McCoy (hence 4 rather than 5 stars). He is obviously a man in crisis and running off the rails faster than he can think, drink, drugs and violence are becoming the norm for him. It’s not pretty reading and it sickened me slightly but, on the other hand, I can admire it as a good piece of writing to evoke these sentiments. The best character is Chief Inspector Murray, McCoy’s boss who is tough as old boots and liable to lose his temper at any minute but with a well concealed soft centre.
February’s Son is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
April 3, 2020
Warning Alan Parks's Detective McCoy books are not to be read by the faint hearted. What Scarface was to American film crime drama January's Blood and February's Son is to Noir crime novels. The author's excellent writing style will have you step back in time to a very seedy and bleak Glasgow, Scotland. I sincerely hope that the series will continue with the rest of the months.
February 20, 2024
Que enganche...... que personajes........a por el siguiente
January 18, 2020
" Bye, Bye " is carved into the chest of the tortured and mutilated corpse of 22 year old Charley Jackson .... once promising Glasgow Celtic footballer .... whose only apparent fault is being the fiance of gangster Jake Scobie's daughter, Elaine. Multiple murders ensue resulting in turmoil on the mean streets of 1973 Glasgow .with rival gangs attempting to slaughter their way to the top. Suspected immediately as the killer is Jake's enforcer, Kevin Connolly, who had developed an unhealthy obsession with Elaine. Connolly is a rather nondescript , late thirties balding man .. who you wouldn't remember after passing in the street. However, this dangerous and violent man is actually the essence of evil, and probably a psychopath. His service is usually reserved for the nastiest of jobs.
DI Harry McCoy is recalled early from leave by Chief Inspector Hector Murray to lead the investigation of the gruesome murder of Jackson. The hunt to bring Connolly in is thwarted relentlessly with the police being continuously foiled and frustrated. A seemingly unrelated suicide of a homeless man in a church leads McCoy to confront his haunted past and relationship with crime boss, Stevie Cooper. This ignites their shared past experiences which leads to vengeance and spirals out of control with the possibility of their personal destruction.
Alan Parks seamlessly weaves a gritty, mesmerizing and twisted noir narrative, encompassing multiple murders, deception, abductions and a loony psychiatrist., that culminates in an exhilarating and unsuspected denouement. The gripping plot is enhanced with compelling and believable characters and settings.. Intemittently, insights into the disturbed mind of the killer is presented in Italics and explores his chameleon like persona and his obsession with "dead" food and water accumulating in his body
Thanks to NetGalley and Cannongate & Black Thorn for providing an electronic proof in exchange for an honest review. Stay tuned for further cases of DI Harry McCoy ... excuse me while I go download his First Case: Bloody January. ( at: readersremains.com)
DI Harry McCoy is recalled early from leave by Chief Inspector Hector Murray to lead the investigation of the gruesome murder of Jackson. The hunt to bring Connolly in is thwarted relentlessly with the police being continuously foiled and frustrated. A seemingly unrelated suicide of a homeless man in a church leads McCoy to confront his haunted past and relationship with crime boss, Stevie Cooper. This ignites their shared past experiences which leads to vengeance and spirals out of control with the possibility of their personal destruction.
Alan Parks seamlessly weaves a gritty, mesmerizing and twisted noir narrative, encompassing multiple murders, deception, abductions and a loony psychiatrist., that culminates in an exhilarating and unsuspected denouement. The gripping plot is enhanced with compelling and believable characters and settings.. Intemittently, insights into the disturbed mind of the killer is presented in Italics and explores his chameleon like persona and his obsession with "dead" food and water accumulating in his body
Thanks to NetGalley and Cannongate & Black Thorn for providing an electronic proof in exchange for an honest review. Stay tuned for further cases of DI Harry McCoy ... excuse me while I go download his First Case: Bloody January. ( at: readersremains.com)
January 27, 2021
El segundo de la serie de Harry McCoy, Glasgow una ciudad sin ley donde campan a sus anchas poderosos mafiosos, bandas sin escrúpulos y deseosos de hacerse con el poder del principal capo.
Después de una temporada de baja por lo sucedido en la anterior entrega, Harry McCoy debe reincorporarse al trabajo en la policía ya que ha sido asesinado un emergente futbolista y de una forma atroz. Vuelven los protagonistas de la primera novela, el jefe Murray, Wattie, el novato y demás compañeros. Harry McCoy y Wattie serán los encargados de resolver el asesinato, pero en esta ocasión McCoy se verá implicado personalmente por su pasado que se va desvelando a lo largo de la historia, un pasado espantoso que le hará revivir los peores años de su vida.
Esta historia es más personal, conocemos mucho mejor a los personajes principales que en la primera entrega solo estaban esbozados, aquí se ahonda en la personalidad de cada uno, tanto de los mafiosos como de los policías.
Me ha parecido una novela muy interesante, no es tan negra como la anterior, pero está muy bien engarzada la historia con los personajes.
Como siempre Glasgow sigue siendo un personaje más de la novela, sus barrios, sus pubs, su inclemente tiempo en invierno, sus diferencias sociales y el tremendo problema con la droga que asola sus calles.
Buena novela para quien le guste este género.
Después de una temporada de baja por lo sucedido en la anterior entrega, Harry McCoy debe reincorporarse al trabajo en la policía ya que ha sido asesinado un emergente futbolista y de una forma atroz. Vuelven los protagonistas de la primera novela, el jefe Murray, Wattie, el novato y demás compañeros. Harry McCoy y Wattie serán los encargados de resolver el asesinato, pero en esta ocasión McCoy se verá implicado personalmente por su pasado que se va desvelando a lo largo de la historia, un pasado espantoso que le hará revivir los peores años de su vida.
Esta historia es más personal, conocemos mucho mejor a los personajes principales que en la primera entrega solo estaban esbozados, aquí se ahonda en la personalidad de cada uno, tanto de los mafiosos como de los policías.
Me ha parecido una novela muy interesante, no es tan negra como la anterior, pero está muy bien engarzada la historia con los personajes.
Como siempre Glasgow sigue siendo un personaje más de la novela, sus barrios, sus pubs, su inclemente tiempo en invierno, sus diferencias sociales y el tremendo problema con la droga que asola sus calles.
Buena novela para quien le guste este género.
December 12, 2018
It’s been three weeks since the events of that bloody January. Harry McCoy is about to return to work with the Glasgow police hoping for some more quiet times. But when Murray calls him in early, he knows that it must be serious: a young football stars has been found, not just killed but also mutilated. It is obvious quickly that his fame as sports stars wasn’t the reason for his killing, it is much more his engagement with the daughter one of Glasgow’s underworld bosses. And then it all gets very personal: Harry’s past is going to catch up with him and the eager policeman loses control.
I already really liked the first instalment of the Harry McCoy series, but the second was actually even better. This is especially due to the fact that the protagonist gets more contours, becomes more human and thus his character and decision making becomes understandable. The development and insight in this character was for me the strongest and most interesting in reading “February’s Son”.
Again the murder case is quite complex and all but foreseeable. Different cases are actually linked and it takes some time until you understand their connection and their particular relevance for McCoy. The whole series is set in 1973 which means there is a fairly different atmosphere in comparison to many novels set today. Glasgow is an all but friendly town constantly at war, the police’s job is to prevent the worst, not to take care of minor misdoings and therefore, they sometimes need to find less legal ways to keep the upper hand. The tone is harsh at times, certainly nothing for the highly sensitive. Fights are part of everyday life and a bleeding nose is nothing to worry too much about. Yet, this all fits perfectly and creates an authentic atmosphere of a time long gone. It will not be easy to outstrip this novel with a third.
I already really liked the first instalment of the Harry McCoy series, but the second was actually even better. This is especially due to the fact that the protagonist gets more contours, becomes more human and thus his character and decision making becomes understandable. The development and insight in this character was for me the strongest and most interesting in reading “February’s Son”.
Again the murder case is quite complex and all but foreseeable. Different cases are actually linked and it takes some time until you understand their connection and their particular relevance for McCoy. The whole series is set in 1973 which means there is a fairly different atmosphere in comparison to many novels set today. Glasgow is an all but friendly town constantly at war, the police’s job is to prevent the worst, not to take care of minor misdoings and therefore, they sometimes need to find less legal ways to keep the upper hand. The tone is harsh at times, certainly nothing for the highly sensitive. Fights are part of everyday life and a bleeding nose is nothing to worry too much about. Yet, this all fits perfectly and creates an authentic atmosphere of a time long gone. It will not be easy to outstrip this novel with a third.
January 23, 2020
A local football hero is brutally slaughtered in Glasgow and Harry McCoy and Murray are on the case.
But this isn't an isolated incident, it isn't long before more bodies turn up and one of the gang overlords takes a hit in the river.
Can the duo stop this bloodbath?
With the death of the gang boss new factions are forming in a wasteland full of drink and drugs.
Meanwhile aspects of this case are bringing some ghosts back to haunt Harry but can he deal with them at the same time?
This book has it all, grisly murders, corrupt cops, child abuse, booze, drugs and madness all set against the seventies backdrop.
Its amazing what the author packed into one novel with an exciting storyline and plot twists.
Never read him before but one to watch out for as he writes a gritty, real thriller.
But this isn't an isolated incident, it isn't long before more bodies turn up and one of the gang overlords takes a hit in the river.
Can the duo stop this bloodbath?
With the death of the gang boss new factions are forming in a wasteland full of drink and drugs.
Meanwhile aspects of this case are bringing some ghosts back to haunt Harry but can he deal with them at the same time?
This book has it all, grisly murders, corrupt cops, child abuse, booze, drugs and madness all set against the seventies backdrop.
Its amazing what the author packed into one novel with an exciting storyline and plot twists.
Never read him before but one to watch out for as he writes a gritty, real thriller.
March 12, 2022
La primera mitad me ha aburrido porque las ambientaciones son demasiado largas y además sobra tanto día a día y tantos datos que no aportan nada, además , como no había leído el primer libro, me resultó muy liosa y con demasiados personajes casi sin describir ,pero, a partir de la mitad, el libro me gustó porque coge un ritmo más rápido y la trama se hace interesante .Le doy un 2,5.
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