The New York Times Book Review - Marilyn Stasio
McIlvanney composes beautiful prose about ugly things, but there's another attribute that makes him special: He writes excellent curses, presumably plucked from these dark, cold streets.
Publishers Weekly
★ 10/21/2019
A serial killer dubbed the Quaker stalks the dance halls of 1969 Glasgow in this engrossing crime thriller from McIlvanney (Where the Dead Men Go). With the public jeering at the police for failing to find the killer of three women in its months-long investigation, the brass brings in Det. Insp. Duncan McCormack, fresh from a successful takedown of corrupt officials, to determine where the investigation went wrong. An outsider to this most sectarian of cities, McCormack faces not only an elusive killer but investigators willing to ignore the lack of evidence and charge a suspect to close the case. Despite the open hostility, McCormack pursues his own theories. An auction house heist leads McCormack to believe that the murders may involve a man intricately tied to city power brokers with little to fear from the authorities. McIlvanney’s depiction of a terror-gripped Glasgow upended by redevelopment and shattered neighborhoods is as important to the story as the arresting characters he has created. Readers will welcome a new master of tartan noir. Agent: Jim Gill, United Agents. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Praise for The Quaker
“Every aspect of The Quaker is superb.” —Washington Post
“A new master of tartan noir.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
“McIlvanney composes beautiful prose about ugly things” —The New York Times Book Review
“A beautifully crafted police procedural.” —Seattle Review of Books
“A Dickensian crime novel.” —Mystery Matters
“Intricately plotted, resourceful in its characterization, and gorgeously written.” —Toronto Star
“[Liam McIlvanney] shows a deft touch for character and setting throughout this absorbing, atmospheric read.” —Crime Watch
“Another atmospheric, scary, and utterly brilliant book from Liam McIlvanney. Superb.” —Adrian McKinty, award-winning author of Rain Dogs
“Atmospheric and arresting, The Quaker reveals 1960s Glasgow in all its lurid shades.” —Val McDermid, bestselling author of the Dr. Tony Hill series
“This is a terrific novel, dark, powerful, and beautifully written. I finished it a while ago, but I’m still haunted by the characters and the place.” —Ann Cleeves, bestselling author of Shetland
“Skilfully dovetailed … atmospheric … a solidly crafted and satisfying detective story.” —Laura Wilson, The Guardian
“An absolute master of Tartan noir … the corruption of the late Sixties is splendidly evoked, as is DI Duncan McCormack.” —Daily Mail
“The Quaker is one of my favourite reads of the year. A powerhouse of a book with Liam McIlvanney's full lyrical powers on display. Loved it.” —Steve Cavanagh
