The book
Introducing Jack Laidlaw, the original damaged detective. In Laidlaw, the first book in a groundbreaking crime fiction trilogy, we meet Jack Laidlaw, a hard-drinking philosopher-detective whose tough exterior masks a rich humanity and a keen intelligence. Laidlaw’s investigation into the murder of a young woman brings him into conflict with Glasgow’s hard men, its gangland villains, and the moneyed thugs who control the city.
“It’s doubtful I would be a crime writer without the influence of McIlvanney’s Laidlaw.” —Ian Rankin, author of the Rebus novels
The author
William McIlvanney
William McIlvanney is widely credited as the founder of the Tartan Noir movement that includes authors such as Denise Mina, Ian Banks, and Val McDermid, all of whom cite him as an influence and inspiration. McIlvanney’s Laidlaw trilogy “changed the face of Scottish fiction” (The Times of London), his Docherty won the Whitbread Award for Fiction, and his Laidlaw and The Papers of Tony Veitch both gained Silver Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association. Strange Loyalties won the Glasgow Herald’s People’s Prize. William passed away in December 2015.
Press
- Jul 24 2015
The Wall Street Journal: " the man who is widely regarded as the father of “Tartan Noir”: William McIlvanney." - Aug 18 2014
Mystery People: "While reading Laidlaw, I got the sense that noir coming to Scotland was noir coming home." - Jul 23 2014
Mystery People: Laidlaw at #2 in Molly's Top 10 books of the Year - Jun 22 2014
Mary Whipple Reviews: "McIlvanney’s descriptive powers make the narrative feel new." - Jun 17 2014
The Complete Review: "An exceptionally controlled piece of work." - Jun 3 2014
Shelf Awareness: "A reissued literary Scottish noir mystery from the 1970s that's heavy on character, setting and lyricism"