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Laidlaw

A Laidlaw Investigation, Book 1

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Laidlaw

By: William McIlvanney
Narrated by: William McIlvanney
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About this listen

Meet Jack Laidlaw, the original damaged detective.

When a young woman is found brutally murdered on Glasgow Green, only Laidlaw stands a chance of finding her murderer from among the hard men, gangland villains and self-made moneymen who lurk in the city's shadows.

Winner of the CWA Silver Dagger.

©1977 William McIlvanney (P)2013 Canongate Books Ltd Crime Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Fiction Crime

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Critic reviews

"The best new character in crime fiction for years" ( Daily Express)
All stars
Most relevant

Would you listen to Laidlaw again? Why?

Would Listen again, it flowed like poetry in parts & gritty in others, Laidlaw is a cross between Taggart & Gene Hunt,

What did you like best about this story?

EVERYTHING! loved Laidlaw & would like to see it on the T.V or Big Screen

What does William McIlvanney bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

His voice is hypnotic, its his timbre & rhythm of reading not forgetting his accent that can only do the words justice

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Where Laidlaw reads to his children & then again when he puts his son back to bed, shows a softer side to the character

Laidlaw is AMAZING

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William McIlvanney is simply the greatest of the Scottish crime writers, a tour de force. So much more than a detective novel more a meditation on the human condition.

One of the great crime novels

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Great book - rich characters, rational original plot, great narration. I eagerly await more from this author.

Loved it! More please

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I could see why the author would want to read this book himself, to get the rhythm and tone of the story to his taste. Unfortunately it didn't suit my taste. I've listened to quite a few books set in Scotland, and loved them. But this book is really dark and the voice is very growl-y. The Glasweigen accent is hard to follow. I doubt that I'll choose any further books by this author.

Hard to understand

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Takes you to Glasgow and the west of Scotland. Amazing discriptive background full of character. Believable narrative, amazing characters great storyline and escapism.

Great Writing Stunning

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