All the Colours of the Town

Conway Trilogy #1

by Liam McIlvanney

When Glasgow journalist Gerry Conway receives a phone call promising unsavoury information about Scottish Justice Minister Peter Lyons, his instinct is that this apparent scoop won't warrant space in The Tribune . But as Conway's curiosity grows and his leads proliferate, his investigation takes him from Scotland to Belfast. Shocked by the sectarian violence of the past, and by the prejudice and hatred he encounters even now, Conway soon grows obsessed with the story of Lyons and all he represents. And as he digs deeper, he comes to understand that there is indeed a story to be uncovered; and that there are people who will go to great lengths to ensure that it remains hidden. Compelling, vividly written and shocking, All the Colours of the Town is not only the story of an individual and his community - it is also a complex and thrilling inquiry into loyalty, betrayal and duty.

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Scotland, Thriller, Ireland, Mystery Thriller

329 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Professor Liam McIlvanney, the son of novelist William McIlvanney, was born in Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, and studied at Glasgow and Oxford Universities. After ten years lecturing in Scottish and Irish literature at the University of Aberdeen, he moved to Dunedin in New Zealand to teach at the University of Otago. He lectures in Scottish literature, culture and history, and on Irish-Scottish literary connections, and holds the Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies chair at the University.

He won a Saltire Award for his first book, Burns the Radical, in 2002. A chance meeting with an editor for Faber and Faber persuaded him to turn to fiction, and his first novel, All the Colours of the Town, was published in 2009 to great acclaim. His second thriller, Where The Dead Men Go, which saw the return of journalist Gerry Conway, won the prestigious Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel in 2014.

He has also written reviews and criticism for the London Review of Books, The Guardian, and others. He lives in Dunedin with his wife and three children.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

An extra star for the writing.As for the plot it needs a lot of tightening up;it's also more about Conway than the rest,which is ironic,because the central idea had a lot of potential.
Another example of an author maturing,I loved his latest,The Quaker.

[Pep Bonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must confess that I started this book with a somehow negative a priori. I had read that the author is a key author of tartan noir and I had already read three books by Malcolm Mackay. I had really enjoyed them and my tendency was to compare, something you should never do.

Fortunately, McIlvanney plays a different game. His style is very much descriptive, taking his time to describe even minutia, it's personal, written in the first person, with sentences of standard length, compared to the short and cutting sentences of Mackay. But the great difference is that All the colours is not about the Glasgow gangs, or not much. It's basically a digression on the Troubles and the war which is never over. I was excited all the time by learning many things about a conflict which has always interested me. You discover the reality of Belfast during the Troubles and after Good Friday and it's not nice to see.

You also learn a lot of Scottish English. For some reasaon the author is professor of Scottish studies down under and to the East. But the dictionary came in very handy, except when I really needed internet connection!

The story is well structured, credible, interesting and catching. Nevertheless, I was not so happy to discover that the couple of sharp turns the story takes could be anticipated. Well, I did anticipate them. They were not total surprises for me. Nevertheless, the book deserves being read.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5

Après un début plein de suspense, j'ai regretté un certain manque de tension dans le reste de l'intrigue. Globalement c'était toutefois un polar politique plutôt pas mal quand on s'intéresse au conflit nord-irlandais, écrit dans un style réaliste, riche en détails. J'ai absolument adoré le contexte de Glasgow, avec les mentions de nombreux lieux que je connaissais !

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Colours of the Town is what I would call an ‘okay read’. It wiled away a few hours pleasantly enough, but it didn’t bowl me over. In part, I think my ambivalence is partly a matter of taste. I prefer relatively fast paced stories, strong on dialogue and action, rather than introspective tales that devote a fair chunk of the narrative to the inner thoughts of the lead voice. All the Colours of the Town has a good sized chunk of introspection, but for me it also has issues with padding and pacing. To take one example of padding, at one point there is a totally unnecessary paragraph describing a hotel cleaning cart. If it were removed, it would make absolutely no difference to the story, so why is it there? There are countless other descriptive passages that are really not needed and add little to the plot. With respect to pacing, the story seems to come in spurts separated with introspective lulls, and the ending is too hurried with one of the central characters falling out of view. For me, I think the book needed tightening up – if it lost 30-40 pages whilst retaining the same plot it would jaunt along at a nice, even pace. That said, the characterisation is fine and the story is interesting enough.

[David Portas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iread The Quaker by the sameauthor and it was good so i bought this one, his first ever novel. And you can tell. It was overly-ambitious, confusingly written and waffly in places. A glasgow joutnalist tries to solve a historic murder in belfast that tooke place during ‘ The Troubles’. All a bit baffling . And not an easy/smooth tead. 6/10.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this one. Expected a mystery which this isn't exactly. What I really liked was the introspective journalist-main character and the language of Glasgow and Belfast. The kindle dictionary had almost every localism too which made it especially interesting linguistically.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing premise, especially since I knew nothing about how the Troubles in Northern Ireland were connected to Scotland. In the end, though, I just didn’t find it that gripping as a mystery.

[Mathew Guest · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read McIlvanney's excellent The Quaker back in 2018, I was interested to see what his debut novel was like. All of the Colours of the Town is not so much a crime novel as a novel about journalism, featuring an investigative reporter who looks into a possible link between a current politician and paramilitary activity. It's set in Glasgow and then follows the protagonist, Gerry Conway, to Belfast as he investigates whether MSP and Justice Minister Peter Lyons was involved in UVF activity back in the early 1980s. Conway chases the story and, along the way, encounters a deeply unsettling post-peace process Ulster, with gangsters still trading on past associations, families with an enduring embittered cynicism about the possibilities of justice, and journalists alternately driven by anger at the injustices of the past and fear of the repercussions of their own work in the present. Conway meets some colourful characters, gets beaten up, and ends up questioning his own arrogance and thirst for the story, especially given the potential human cost. As a story, it's not exactly fast paced, but it's also not predictable, and the gradually unfolding narrative paints a compelling, dark picture that probes questions of pride, truth and justice. It's told in the first person, from Conway's point of view, in rich, colloquial prose. McIlvanney is definitely a master of the metaphor and the descriptions of Glasgow and Belfast are vibrant and powerful; occasionally the writing comes across as a little contrived and the persistent use of slang or locally specific cultural references becomes slightly annoying when it's unclear what's actually being said. That said though, it remains impressive writing and powerful story telling: deeply believable, humane and complex, unwilling to rehearse a culturally and morally simplistic account of communities afflicted with a history of sectarian tensions.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done. Some have said the story is too slow-moving, but I found it methodically laid out, thoughtful, philosophical even, and punctuated with quite a bit of violent action.
The delving into events dating to the time of the Troubles in Ireland, specifically relating to the region around Belfast, Northern Ireland, is given from a Scots perspective. Gerry Conway, our protagonist, is a journalist with a respected newspaper in Glasgow, present time. His investigation of a popular and prominent politician takes him to various sectarian areas in Scotland and Belfast.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow — I’m blown away by the quality of the writing in this, McIlvanney’s debut novel. Deft plotting, solid characterization (especially the protagonist, Glasgow journalist Gerry Conway: definitely a flawed person, but at the same time principled and a good dad — a character to remember.) And the descriptions, the language! Nothing overblown, and actually spare: but time after time I had to stop just to admire a line.

The story takes place in Glasgow in the early 2000s (after the devolution of powers to the new Scottish Parliament) and involves investigating events that took place in Belfast during the Troubles, events that reverberate to the present. Gritty and at times violent, tender at other spots, the plot is well -paced and has a fine final twist.

An excellent debut, published in 2009. More to read by this writer!

[Mark Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting setup but loses its way in the middle when the hero gets threatened/beaten one too many times for credibility.
Rather than having a maverick detective it’s a good angle to make the investigation the product of a journalist. It lost credibility in the Belfast part as any sensible person would have scarpered once the bad guys flexed their muscles. The denouements in the trials were surely lacking any evidence for convictions.

[Richard Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the narrative zips along pleasingly and the storyline is topical and interesting, I did not find myself overly engaged in reading this book. I never felt I really understood the lead character - what motivated him - and the convenient deus ex machina ending was a bit of a let down. Nevertheless, the quality of the writing suggests that the author will write better novels.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d just wolfed down the Quaker so I went to square one with this. Foreshadowing of Quaker in a man with a bone of justice in over his depths in layers of corruption- and yet- despite human failings- He Persisted. I’m wanting more. The writing. At its core- the writing and fathoming the human experience

[Marjie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent read, but a sense that the main character and the writing are not fully formed. There are some cracking passages and good descriptive sections, yet the novel never quite burns brightly enough for me to give 5 stars. However, it's a good story, pretty well told, so I look forward to the next in the series to see how things develop.

[Bob Bell · Rating 1 out of 5]

All the colours ? No..without any life or colour. The main character is a stereotype. Getting divorced, a couple of kids, drink is a problem yadayadayada..So got to a new chapter and thought..why bother ? So I quit after reading one third. Should have quit earlier on this turgid and boring narrative.

[Moirad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scotland's, and in particular Glasgow's, connection to Northern Ireland and the Troubles. Written from the point of view of a journalist investigating the murky past of an up and coming Scottish politician, leading him into dangerous situations in Belfast. Exciting, nuanced, convincing.

[Robert Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a bit slower than his two most recent books. All the Irish troubles back history was a bit confusing. It had some nice Lyrical sections, and moments of action, but it could have been tighter. I'm sure book two will improve.

[Mavis Duncanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read Engaging Hard to put down

[C.X. Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of character, an unusual detective POV, nicely drawn characters. I'm not sure I quite kept track of the plot but that didn't really seem to be the point.

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried over and over to get reading. Not convincing.

[Michael Oxley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a difficult read. I loved The Quaker, so I expected another good thriller. Instead I plodded through a book I found ultimately disappointing.

[Bruce Wrobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I love love love this author. I will reread a sentence 2-3 times just to get absorbed in the beauty if his description. The plots are wonderful and interesting

[John Priest · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[JeanG · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this after the Quaker and the Heretic, but I just couldnt get into it. Sadly I didnt finish it.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this one less engaging than the others by this author I’ve, perhaps because I didn’t particularly like the main character. It was a good story well written though.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic

[Dave Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Colours they are fine.

Gritty tale of post -troubles sectarianism, and its inexplicable links to the west of Scotland. I like the way McIlvanney details places I know and bars Ive drunk in. Looking forward to following the adventures of Gerry Conway.

[Azu Rikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by the author. I loved his wordplay, reminding me of cartoons at times, the slow pace, atmospheric style. Combined with social, historical and geographical layout, it made me want to read more of his books. Solid 4☆

[Ian Mapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I look back at 2014, McIlvanney will be the most read author. I read Liam's other book out of sequence and this led me to his father, who I have also read.

This is book one in a Trilogy and I do recommend getting them in the correct order.

There is some seriously good writing going on here. Its unusual (for me) in that its a crime novel but written from the perspective of a journalist, rather than a maverick cop - known to break the rules if needed for a case.

Gerry Conway is wonderfully rounded - there's a lot of his back story, his split from his wife, his relationship with his kids, that adds some meat to this tale of a Scottish Minister who is exposed to having links to the troubles in Ireland and may have been a member of a terrorist organisation.

As with all good crime novels, the path to resolution is not straightforward.

There is plenty about the life of a journalist and one is described as having a "good turn of sentence". This can certainly be levelled at McIlvanney, who writes very well. A couple of sentences - "he disappeared between Ireland and Scotland like the e in Whisky" made me smile but my faourite section is a long piece where they celebrate getting the story out. The move from dinner party, to streets, to corner shop is superb writing - reminded me of the opening of Patrick Hamilton's pub based story.

Looking forward to book three by junior and book 2 by senior.

[Brian Stoddart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the Professor of Scottish Studies at the University of Otago, and the son of the great Scottish "father of Tartan Noir, Willie McIlvanney, this is an excellent addition to the genre. It captures Glasgow in its "hard man" mode, has an ear to the argot, and traces the story of a struggle for survival in that context: hard-bitten journalist comes up against the system, gets belted but survives. The storyline is strong, the "hero" evokes empathy, the characters ring true, and the city lives through the pages. A good read for those who follow crime fiction.