In gritty Glasgow, a police detective confronts criminals—as well as an enemy that lies within . . .
In the seedy environs of 1980s Glasgow, Scotland, it takes guts to be a cop. DI Luc Kidston has guts—though he also has a weak spot thanks to his fear of heights. Now he must focus on finding a samurai sword–wielding vigilante—and untangling the case of one of his protégés, who’s been arrested for allegedly putting a woman into a coma.
Solving both problems will lead Kidston to take some unorthodox steps, including hiring a forensic hypnotist. It will also bring him into conflict with his own colleagues and lead him to fight for his life in a terrifying showdown . . .
The fear of falling by John Harkin. The DI Kidston Crime Thrillers. In the seedy environs of 1980s Glasgow, Scotland, it takes guts to be a cop. DI Luc Kidston has guts—though he also has a weak spot thanks to his fear of heights. Now he must focus on finding a samurai sword–wielding vigilante—and untangling the case of one of his protégés, who’s been arrested for allegedly putting a woman into a coma. Solving both problems will lead Kidston to take some unorthodox steps, including hiring a forensic hypnotist. It will also bring him into conflict with his own colleagues and lead him to fight for his life in a terrifying showdown . . . A very good read with good characters. Likeable story. 4*.
I loved this book. It is a great story that is very well told. I was hooked from the first page and rushed to finish the book to see how the multiple plot lines were developed and concluded. I was surprised to find out that this is the first book written by the author. His writing skills are excellent. The plot was well developed and complex. The characters were well drawn, the scenarios were realistic. The book contained a number of items that makes it a really good book - compelling main story line, interesting characters, both likeable and not, as well as close lifelong strong personal relationships. This is an author to watch in the future!
The fear of falling 3.5 ⭐️ To start with I would give this 3.5 stars if it was possible. This was an ok read, it was slow and steady and had a good storyline, well actually it felt like it was two storylines running alongside each other. I feel it was more was geared to the samurai vigilante side of the story rather than the police officer suspected of murder. I really liked the character of our main man Luc Kidston and would like to see what’s next for him. From the blurb it sounded like my kind of read but I have to say initially it didn’t grab me or keep my interest as police procedurals usually do, I think this could come down to personal preference and the fact I was forever trying to keep tabs on all the different characters, which I felt there was a lot of and also due to the fact sometimes full names were used, then only a surname and then just a first name it made for confusion as I say trying to keep tabs on everyone. Saying this I will give the author benefit of the doubt as it’s a debut book and I would read the next book as I find with a series the debut ranks mid stars and then get better as the series goes along, we will see.
ARC reader Review Fear of Falling – John Harkin This book was a glorious mix of all the things that fascinate me! Maybe a strange opening review line for a book full of horrific happenings? – but for me, all the things I enjoy most in solving a crime mystery came together. The author has an obvious in-depth knowledge of policing- the whole system, the office politics, the relationships-the achievements, and the flaws, which is apparent throughout the narrative and the development of the characters. He weaves several plot lines so that they intertwine effortlessly and add to the readers engagement with the characters’ roles; In particular his description of the ‘Gorbals Samurai’ comes straight from Japanese Culture, but his insight into the mind of that character and the way he behaves is uncanny. A shocking opening is the forerunner of the intrigue to come and a teasing glimpse of the motives and drive of the main character- a police investigator with more than one string to his bow. I was amazed to find in the Epilogue, that this is John Harkin’s debut novel!!! My brain was already off to search for more investigations by D.I. Kidtson!! I do hope we shall hear more from him?!!! Denise Howe
I was lucky to be given the chance to read an ARC from Bloodhound Books.
This is a debut novel by John Harkin. It took me a while to get into the book, once there I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is set in 1980´s Glasgow and the author describes it well.
The story centres around DI Luc Kidston and his team. I liked that there were multiple story lines and they pulled together well. The characters are well rounded.
I hope that this is the first in a series of books and we get to meet Luc and his team again.
The Fear of Falling by John Harkin is part of the DI Kidston Crime Thrillers and it is based in Glasgow. I read a short story by John Harkin in the Written in the Stars Charity Anthology and enjoyed it and then downloaded his novel to read. This is the author’s first novel and I have really enjoyed reading this book and will read more books by the author. The main characters were vivid and realistic and the storyline was very gritty and portrayed Glasgow as the city was in the 1980’s , warts and all. Highly recommended
I have to say, as a US reader, it took me a bit to get the hang of the slang in this book. Once I got used to it, it took off from there. I really enjoyed this novel! It was exciting and it kept me reading at a quick pace. I'm surprised this was Mr. Harkin's first novel, as it was written so well. I can't wait for another!
A debut novel from this author and a really good one. Set in the late 1980’s in Glasgow in a run down and rough part of the city; the Gorbals had seen its community ravaged by drugs. It’s a dark police procedural thriller, well written and a great storyline. There is a fair bit of slang, some of which I had to refer back to Dr Google, but it adds authenticity.
Briefly, DI Luc Kidston has double trouble to deal with. Firstly one of his protégés, DC Paul Kennedy, has been arrested for assaulting a woman leaving her in a coma, and is charged with attempted murder. The detective in charge of the case has a personal grievance with Kidston and is relishing his role. Meanwhile a major drug dealer has his hand cut off by a man wielding a samurai sword. Not exactly your normal run of the mill act.
Fast paced I literally raced through this book in a day; just one more page was the cry! Great characterisations; Kidston is a strong character in many ways, although he has his weaknesses. But he is not afraid to put his job, and possibly his life, on the line when he believes in something or someone. I don’t know if this is the start of a series? It should be. I would definitely read it. 4.5⭐️
Glasgow: the city of unsolicited conversations. The city that in the 80s was just moving out of its ”no mean city” tagline into its regeneration of slums such as the Gorbals. Glasgow still has its Young Teams who fight it out for territory and more serious crime families who control drugs, prostitution and money laundering into ”clean” businesses.
Into this setting the reader is taken into two separate investigations – a young girl left damaged by an apparent attack at the side of a darkened road and a samurai attack on a drug dealing henchman. Our protagonist is DI Kidston who fits the tartan noir hero of being so focused on the job that he lives alone. That’s not to say that he is unattractive to women, quite the reverse, but he fits the various females who orbit his periphery into any downtime he manages to squeeze in.
It was a delight to this Glasgow girl to read about locations such as the Gorbals, Queen’s Park or Tradeston and to be able to imagine Glasgow a few decades ago.
The investigations travel along at a decent lick and all the characters are well rounded enough that you care about their outcomes.
I would recommend this to readers of good detective novels. The author is a former police officer and the air of authenticity comes across in the writing.
This novel does not ease the reader into the action. From a brutal death in its opening pages to an attack on a country road we are propelled along in the pages of 1980s Glasgow. Luc Kidson is a welcome addition to the genre. Haunted by a horrific incident but which helps the reader to gain insight to the character of the man but the real joy is a lot of previous cliches introducing a new detective aren't thrown in and we will develop with the character as I hope this series evolves. The whole squad are characters a reader will happily invest in and I'm looking forward to further investigations with them. One of the strengths of the book is the reader gathers knowledge of police procedure at the time but you never feel you are reading a text book. The plot allows the author to inject the procedures into the flow of the narrative and you are not bogged down in the details. The plot leads the reader on gain stories which illustrates the juggling of caseload on a DI desk. As the plot builds it reveals the climax and though the novel is rounded off well, I am hoping for lots more from this author and this series. Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC of this title.
Loved the blurb for the book and also loved the book. It is a debut novel set in and around the notorious Gorbals in Glasgow in the late 1980's. My city and my era so the use of vernacular fitted in well - maybe not as much for others however for me it just added another level of authenticity to the book. I actually like books using local dialect and words from around the UK although this may not be to everybody's taste. The story opens in 1957 with an incident which impacts on a young boy's life who then goes onto become the lead detective in the case. Not only does Luc Kidston have to try and find out why a young woman died whilst in the company of two of his detectives, but also a Samurai wielding attacker going after the local drugs baron. His personal life is a mess and he is also up against his nemesis at another station. It is a fast paced story which I read in one sitting as I was eager to find out where the story was headed next. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
THERE ARE NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW Thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced copy. This is my honest review.
A stark, slick crime novel, set in Glasgow
As a Glaswegian, I can’t help but make comparisons to the famous TV detective, Taggart, and this is no slight. The characters are many and they are well drawn, with the main man D I Luc Kidston being attractive and multi-dimensional, adept at his job but not his personal life. The writing style is confident and measured, driving me on through the chapters. Yes, there’s some Glasgow vernacular used, but it shouldn’t stop you ‘sassenachs’ (outsiders) from getting into the story, as it’s all easily understood from the context and adds to the colour of the novel. Set in the eighties, there’s a certain nostalgia present, but none shown for the male chauvinism that existed in the police force. The police aspects are so well written because Harkin draws on his own extensive experience serving in uniform, CID and firearms and as a commander and hostage negotiator. His evocative depiction of Glasgow and surrounding areas clearly draws on his personal experience too and because he writes what he knows, he has produced a novel that feels more like a subsequent volume in a familiar series rather than his debut. My only quibble is that Harkin refers to a woman of 5 feet 6 as ‘petite’; that’s a term reserved by the retail industry for women of 5 feet 3 and under, fella, and as one myself, that lassie would look like a giant next to me. I’m very much looking forward to future instalments of this series.
This is John Harkin's debut novel and what an excellent book to start his writing career with. This police thriller is based in the late 80's in the Gorbals, a particularly rough area of Glasgow. DI Luc Kidston had a double challenge on his hands. He is trying to save the career of one of his protégé whilst also hunting down a highly skilled samurai swordsman who is after a well known drugs lord.
This book describes the area and era perfectly. It is very easy to read and moves at a good pace. Local colloquialisms are used which add to the story as you imagine yourself back in 1987 in Glasgow. At that time gangs were rife and policing the area was particularly hard. You had to have guts to survive which the main characters certainly had. DI Kidston puts his career and life on the line to solve both cases.
I would certainly recommend this novel to be added to anyone's must read list. Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC which I've reviewed voluntarily
An introduction to Detective Inspector Luc Kidson and his colleagues, and I really liked Costello and would enjoy finding out more about him. Initially I wasn't sure about the setting, not knowing a great deal about 1980s Glasgow, however I soon found myself sucked into the storylines and the location. It was a good fast-paced read. The two storylines ran alongside each other quite well.
I found that the novel was slightly predictable at times - there always seems to be one cop up against another "I can’t have two detective inspectors going at each other like rutting stags.’ He eyed both DIs coldly. ‘The fact that on this occasion one of you was in the wrong and the other in the right doesn’t excuse this type of behaviour." However, without this I think it would lack balance and also not keep the action going so quickly.
I would read another book by John Harkin and look forward to reading more about Luc Kidson.
I was given an ARC of this book to review. Debut book by the author. This book is set in the late 1980s in the “Gorbals” area of Glasgow which is known for its drug culture.
The main character DI Luc Kidston finds himself involved when one of his junior officers is arrested and charged with a serious assault on a woman who ends up in a coma. Luc is desperate to clear his officers name but the senior investigating officer who dislikes Luc is determined to prove otherwise.
There is also another storyline alongside this that involves a major drug dealer having his hand cut off with a samurai sword and Luc is desperate to get a result.
This book kept me engaged throughout and was fast paced. I really liked the characterisation of Luc and his determination to prove his enemy wrong. Hope there is more to come.
This is a new author for me which I enjoyed from beginning to end. His writing style is such that it brings the story to life and kept it engaging. His attention to details gave the story a realistic feel. I enjoyed being pulled into this suspenseful story by the characters. They are connectable and made the story easy to read. A story full of action and hard to put down. This was a great pick up that I highly recommend. You don't want to miss the twists and turns that really made the story edge sitting.
This was one very unexpected riveting read. The backstory in the beginning to the present day and the crime scene investigation were woven together very well. The many story lines blended and kept a rapid pace to the drama. I enjoyed the police investigation procedures that relied on the technology of the time presenting challenges to locating suspects and determining those who were actually culpable. Wonderful debut novel! I look forward to more by this author and series of characters.
The Fear of Falling by John Harkin was a terrific read. I was really caught up in the story and I found it hard to put down. A great bunch of characters and a great story which pulls you along. DI Luc Kidston inspires loyalty from his team in CID but he gives it in return. I really liked him and he seems like a lovely person. When one of his team is accused of a serious crime, he goes into bat for him. Hopefully it won’t be long to wait for book 2. I look forward to reading it.
Would only recommend for immortals ( humans don't waste your time reading this)
Stereotypes abound, the hero cop is 6ft tall with rugged good looks, the bad cop is overweight and balding. (Obviously bad people have to be unattractive.) The only original/outlandish character is the French foreign legion samurai vigilante biker who chops off hands, if only he could get close to the author. ,
This took me a while to get into and keep track of the multiple characters and fully understand the plot, especially as I did not read it in one go. However, it developed into an interesting read with two overlapping storylines that became quite gripping as they unfolded and I became invested in some of the key characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was gripped from the very first chapter. I loved the style in which it was written and the characters too. The two investigations ran alongside each other really well and kept you wanting to read another chapter. I would love to read more about DI Kidston and what cases he investigates next. An excellent debut novel 5*
The Fear of Falling is a classic tartan noir detective novel, and an exciting read from the very start. Following the fortunes of DI Lucas Kidston, the story weaves several threads together, each of which has Kidston wrestling with career- and sometimes life-threatening decisions. Should he follow the correct procedures and let a colleague go to jail? Or should he go rogue to save his friend but risk disgrace and dismissal? And all the time he is dealing with a crazed vigilante wielding a samurai sword, trying to talk down suicide jumpers, fix his own convoluted personal life and avoid succumbing to his lifelong phobia — the fear of heights which gives the book its apt name. All part of the life of a Glasgow cop. This is John Harkin’s debut novel, and I very much look forward to the next one in the series.
This is the first book that I have read by John Harkin but it will not be the last. A great story that moved at a fast pace with lots of intriguing characters and an exciting ending.
This was a new author for me. So glad that I took the chance on this. It was a great story, gripped from the start. I read this over two days, couldn't put it down. This has the makings of a great series. Do yourself a favour and read this . You won't regret it.
I liked that there were multiple storylines that connected but overall, I felt it was a little bit predictable. There was a good mix of believable and likable characters, but no one really stood out for me. I would read the second book in this series should it come along to see how the characters progressed, but I would be looking for something more impactful.
Loved the pace of the book, interesting characters, great storyline oh, and that the outcome was a surprise. John brings alive a different side to Glasgow - roll on the next book I say!