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The Loner
A brilliant new stand-alone thriller from Scotland's Crime Master
Xavier (Xavi) Aislado is a gentle giant, half Spanish and half Scot, brought up in Edinburgh by his grandmother Paloma Puig, a ferocious old lady whose grim brand of care sees him into his teens, until his father moves back to Spain, leaving him to grow up fast. His emergence into manhood is colorful and eventful. After a short career as a professional footballer, he turns to journalism with a bloody introduction to the trade, as his first assignment ends in violent death. Inevitably, Xavi's life and his love become entwined with his work, and he is immersed in tragedy, loss, and betrayal, going halfway around the world in search of a truth that may destroy him. Quintin Jardine’s evocation of Xavi’s fated world, of the towering being that is Grandma Paloma, and of his love, the beautiful, willful and hypnotic Grace Starshine, is an unforgettable story of a man riding a one-way train to oblivion. Will he escape, before it hits the buffers, full-speed?
Xavier (Xavi) Aislado is a gentle giant, half Spanish and half Scot, brought up in Edinburgh by his grandmother Paloma Puig, a ferocious old lady whose grim brand of care sees him into his teens, until his father moves back to Spain, leaving him to grow up fast. His emergence into manhood is colorful and eventful. After a short career as a professional footballer, he turns to journalism with a bloody introduction to the trade, as his first assignment ends in violent death. Inevitably, Xavi's life and his love become entwined with his work, and he is immersed in tragedy, loss, and betrayal, going halfway around the world in search of a truth that may destroy him. Quintin Jardine’s evocation of Xavi’s fated world, of the towering being that is Grandma Paloma, and of his love, the beautiful, willful and hypnotic Grace Starshine, is an unforgettable story of a man riding a one-way train to oblivion. Will he escape, before it hits the buffers, full-speed?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2011
27 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Quintin Jardine
94 books241 followersQuintin Jardine (born 1945) is a Scottish author of three series of crime novels, featuring the fictional characters Bob Skinner, Oz Blackstone, and Primavera Blackstone. He was educated in Motherwell and in Glasgow where he studied at what was then the city’s only University. After career as a journalist, government information officer and media relations consultant, he took to the creation of crime fiction.
His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain
His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 12, 2013
A standalone novel from the author best known for his Bob Skinner series, THE LONER was a real surprise package.
Styled as an autobiographical account of the author's friend, journalist Xavier (Xavi) Ailsado, THE LONER is partially the recollections of the central character, partially the observations of the narrator. It's an affectionate telling of Xavi's life, from his beginnings in Scotland, the son of a local mother and a Spanish refugee. His father and grandparents having settled in Edinburgh after they were forced to flee from Franco's regime. It's a story of family that stays together and family that fractures all at once.
Xavi is a gentle giant of a man, raised by his grandmother, until she and his father, a successful businessman return to Spain, leaving him with money, a place to live, a real connection with them and the chance to grow into his own person. Despite his potential as a professional footballer, Xavi is not that upset when injury ends that possible career, as exposure to newspapers via his father's latest business venture - the media in Spain - has convinced him that journalism is what he really wants to do. His life seems comfortably, and somewhat boringly predestined, with a childhood sweetheart fiancé, a good job, a place to live, and a secure self-image and almost abnormal control for a young man of his age.
Told with great restraint, there is, however, a sense that something is not quite right drawing the reader in. It was actually quite surprising how quickly the book engaged, and kept the reader's interest, particularly as there isn't a crime up front, there's no investigation, there's nothing of the normal stylings that you expect in some measure from crime fiction. Told mostly from Xavi's viewpoint, interspersed with snippets that give the reader just enough clues or hints to wonder, the book is a slow burner. The structure is also intriguing, opening with a "co-author" note from Jardine, taking off in an autobiographical style, heading into the ups and downs of what seems, on the face of it, to be a reasonably ordinary life, not only is it very hard to tell where it's heading, it rapidly became just about impossible to not be intrigued.
Obviously, THE LONER is something a little different. It's not about the investigation of a crime or the identification of a perpetrator. It's not about justice or explanation or retribution. It's the story of strongly-held beliefs, love, and how truth can be manipulated, even if sometimes with the best of intentions. It's a character study and Xavi is the sort of character that many readers will feel a direct, close, personal and real connection with. It's also not a particularly straight-forward or even an always easy book to read. But it is a very memorable one.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Styled as an autobiographical account of the author's friend, journalist Xavier (Xavi) Ailsado, THE LONER is partially the recollections of the central character, partially the observations of the narrator. It's an affectionate telling of Xavi's life, from his beginnings in Scotland, the son of a local mother and a Spanish refugee. His father and grandparents having settled in Edinburgh after they were forced to flee from Franco's regime. It's a story of family that stays together and family that fractures all at once.
Xavi is a gentle giant of a man, raised by his grandmother, until she and his father, a successful businessman return to Spain, leaving him with money, a place to live, a real connection with them and the chance to grow into his own person. Despite his potential as a professional footballer, Xavi is not that upset when injury ends that possible career, as exposure to newspapers via his father's latest business venture - the media in Spain - has convinced him that journalism is what he really wants to do. His life seems comfortably, and somewhat boringly predestined, with a childhood sweetheart fiancé, a good job, a place to live, and a secure self-image and almost abnormal control for a young man of his age.
Told with great restraint, there is, however, a sense that something is not quite right drawing the reader in. It was actually quite surprising how quickly the book engaged, and kept the reader's interest, particularly as there isn't a crime up front, there's no investigation, there's nothing of the normal stylings that you expect in some measure from crime fiction. Told mostly from Xavi's viewpoint, interspersed with snippets that give the reader just enough clues or hints to wonder, the book is a slow burner. The structure is also intriguing, opening with a "co-author" note from Jardine, taking off in an autobiographical style, heading into the ups and downs of what seems, on the face of it, to be a reasonably ordinary life, not only is it very hard to tell where it's heading, it rapidly became just about impossible to not be intrigued.
Obviously, THE LONER is something a little different. It's not about the investigation of a crime or the identification of a perpetrator. It's not about justice or explanation or retribution. It's the story of strongly-held beliefs, love, and how truth can be manipulated, even if sometimes with the best of intentions. It's a character study and Xavi is the sort of character that many readers will feel a direct, close, personal and real connection with. It's also not a particularly straight-forward or even an always easy book to read. But it is a very memorable one.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
February 23, 2016
Half way through and wondering whether to continue - it's so boring - so predictable - so wrong - young people don't behave like Chavvy - sorry I'm listening to it so don't know how to spell his name. Mothers don't abandon their children for money either. The ratings are good but I can't work out why. I'm losing the will to live with it!
May 31, 2023
I really wasn’t convinced by the concept of this book - a biography of a character (and not an especially key one at that) from a series sounded a bit too far fetched. However, I’ve read the rest of the series so have it a go.
I have to say that I was very surprised. It was an excellent story, brilliantly written and a real page turner. Jardine was at his best in this book.
For anybody that has read slant of the later Bob Skinner books, I’d strongly recommend this book.
I have to say that I was very surprised. It was an excellent story, brilliantly written and a real page turner. Jardine was at his best in this book.
For anybody that has read slant of the later Bob Skinner books, I’d strongly recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2017
Loner is the story of a young man told in the form of a biography. It details his youth as his friends drift away and his gaining maturity and becomes a true journalist. In the story, he also learns more about his wealthy family during his efforts to be self supporting . We also meet Detective Sergeant Bob Skinner who is the central character of a series by the same author.
August 7, 2020
It was a bit tough to get through but kept me coming back to read more. I did not expect the ending but really liked how it developed rapidly at the end.
April 25, 2022
Quite enjoyable. Different from Jardine's other work.
June 26, 2011
The Loner is a stand alone novel from acclaimed Scottish crime novelist Quintin Jardine, though it does feature a cameo from Bob Skinner (of the 19 book series). This is my first Jardine novel, I’m not a big crime fan but if The Loner is an example of Jardine’s work then I am more than prepared to give any of his books a shot.
The Tale
The story is presented as an autobiographical account of the famous (fictional) journalist Xavier(Xavi) Ailsado. A gentle giant of mixed parentage who’s brought up in Edinburgh by his grandmother (a refugee from Franco’s Spain). His father, a successful businessman, eventually moves the family back to Spain, and Xavi is left to grow to manhood on his own terms in Scotland. An injury ends a promising career as a professional footballer player, after which he turns to his real passion – journalism. Though Xavi’s life has had difficulties he seems to have brushed most of these aside a landed on his feet. As the story unfolds though, the reader comes to realise that Xavi has his hardest trials ahead of him.
Technique
The story is presented as an autobiographical account but constructed (with additional research )as manuscript by Jardine. Indeed Jardine sets the reader with up with a co-authors note explaining this.
Xavi’s autobiographical sequences then are interspersed with cut scenes to dialogue between characters that are present in Xavi’s version. Some times these cut scenes reveal clues or aspects that bear direct relation to the next scene, at other times their import becomes apparent further into the story.
Aside from balancing out the voice of Xavi, the cut scenes are an excellent way of building tension. The reveal the thoughts and actions of characters outside of Xavi’s knowledge, drop clues or suggest possibilities to the reader. All of which combine to lead us to the niggling, uncomfortable conclusion that our seemingly impervious protagonist is heading towards disaster.
A gutting finish
Xavi’s life story is interesting in and of itself, a professional footballer turned journalist, son of a media magnate. The story moves along quite steadily, slowly building tension. Xavi leads a charmed life, but we know from the authors note at the beginning that the end of his story is going to be a sad one.
Jardine’s skill is in making us think that the story is going one way, makes us believe that one tragedy is the end point, when all a long he’s been dropping clues that lead to an ending that blindside me and left me gutted as a reader(it was quite literally gut wrenching).
Very few books evoke an emotional reaction from me. Indeed I can off the top of my head only think of three. Jardine has done such a masterful job at presenting Xavi as an endearing, loveable character (no doubt the choice of autobiographical form aided this)that even if the story was fiction my emotions and empathy for Xavi were real.
It’s not a book that I can say read it and you’ll have a great time. It is however, a brilliant book, one that demonstrates the power of a good writer in bringing characters truly to life.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This book was a review copy provided by Headline at no cost to myself.
The Tale
The story is presented as an autobiographical account of the famous (fictional) journalist Xavier(Xavi) Ailsado. A gentle giant of mixed parentage who’s brought up in Edinburgh by his grandmother (a refugee from Franco’s Spain). His father, a successful businessman, eventually moves the family back to Spain, and Xavi is left to grow to manhood on his own terms in Scotland. An injury ends a promising career as a professional footballer player, after which he turns to his real passion – journalism. Though Xavi’s life has had difficulties he seems to have brushed most of these aside a landed on his feet. As the story unfolds though, the reader comes to realise that Xavi has his hardest trials ahead of him.
Technique
The story is presented as an autobiographical account but constructed (with additional research )as manuscript by Jardine. Indeed Jardine sets the reader with up with a co-authors note explaining this.
Xavi’s autobiographical sequences then are interspersed with cut scenes to dialogue between characters that are present in Xavi’s version. Some times these cut scenes reveal clues or aspects that bear direct relation to the next scene, at other times their import becomes apparent further into the story.
Aside from balancing out the voice of Xavi, the cut scenes are an excellent way of building tension. The reveal the thoughts and actions of characters outside of Xavi’s knowledge, drop clues or suggest possibilities to the reader. All of which combine to lead us to the niggling, uncomfortable conclusion that our seemingly impervious protagonist is heading towards disaster.
A gutting finish
Xavi’s life story is interesting in and of itself, a professional footballer turned journalist, son of a media magnate. The story moves along quite steadily, slowly building tension. Xavi leads a charmed life, but we know from the authors note at the beginning that the end of his story is going to be a sad one.
Jardine’s skill is in making us think that the story is going one way, makes us believe that one tragedy is the end point, when all a long he’s been dropping clues that lead to an ending that blindside me and left me gutted as a reader(it was quite literally gut wrenching).
Very few books evoke an emotional reaction from me. Indeed I can off the top of my head only think of three. Jardine has done such a masterful job at presenting Xavi as an endearing, loveable character (no doubt the choice of autobiographical form aided this)that even if the story was fiction my emotions and empathy for Xavi were real.
It’s not a book that I can say read it and you’ll have a great time. It is however, a brilliant book, one that demonstrates the power of a good writer in bringing characters truly to life.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This book was a review copy provided by Headline at no cost to myself.
May 31, 2011
The Loner was very focused on one man in particular Xavi pronounced chavi and his life, loves and faux pas.Xavi goes through his early childhood in Scotland although his family comes from Spain. The family history is well developed and you almost feel the presence of his paternal grandmother who is his biggest influence.Xavi is abandoned when his family goes back to its roots and he continues his education in Edinburgh we then get drawn into his friendships and loves and also his career choices. He does however settle in journalism which is where the Violent underworld is uncovered. He finds himself in the middle of some violent cases and at first he flounders as to what are the facts. His whole world it seems falls prey to the dark underworld that he writes about in the pages of the paper, when he finds himself and Grace his one and only sweetheart in the middle of a violent crime he escapes with Grace to Spain. The return to Scotland and the final chapters reveal the unexpected twist in the story and you think that at last you know the real story but then yet another twist comes along and throws what you know into turmoil as the final stages of the book are turned.
A very good book, having never read Quintin Jardine before I will definitely be looking out for him again
A very good book, having never read Quintin Jardine before I will definitely be looking out for him again
August 9, 2013
Good standalone from Jardine - though Bob Skinner does appear briefly in the last section of the book. It's the fictional autobiography of Xavier Aislado, half Scottish, half Catalan, raised in Edinburgh by his distant father and his domineering grandmother who is fiercely loyal to both father and son. He's physically intimidating, but temperamentally gentle, aggressive only in sports, and then still ruled by self-discipline. When his sports career is cut short by injury, he turns his focus with equal intensity to journalism, where he succeeds first as a sports reporter then as crime reporter.
He is determined to be his own man, not dependant on his family's wealth or opinions. He has a small group of friends, three boys and a girl, who have been his family of choice since boyhood. Grace, the girl, is the only woman he has ever loved. When tragedy strikes, it turns out that much of what Xavi believes to be true in his life is not what he thinks it is.
Xavi and his grandmother Paloma are engaging characters and the story is interestingly told - partly Xavi's first person narrative, partly segments of audio files he has turned over the the author Quintin Jardine. It's an interesting technique and it works well.
He is determined to be his own man, not dependant on his family's wealth or opinions. He has a small group of friends, three boys and a girl, who have been his family of choice since boyhood. Grace, the girl, is the only woman he has ever loved. When tragedy strikes, it turns out that much of what Xavi believes to be true in his life is not what he thinks it is.
Xavi and his grandmother Paloma are engaging characters and the story is interestingly told - partly Xavi's first person narrative, partly segments of audio files he has turned over the the author Quintin Jardine. It's an interesting technique and it works well.
January 17, 2016
This was a weird one, from the author I expected it to be a police crime story, which it partly is, but more from a journalist point of view rather than the police. The bulk of the book is the life story of said Journalist, growing up in Edinburgh, of mixed Scottish and Catalan descent, quite a bit of early school life, before moving on to play in goal for Hearts, then pursuing a journalism career. That's finally where the crime stories come in, and how as a budding journalist he earns his first exclusive, which just made him hungry for more. And just as all seems rosy in his life it all starts to unravel.
Even though I'd worked part of the finale out, there was still a little bit i hadn't quite put together. A very enjoyable tale, quite an interesting cast of characters. So much so I read pretty much 4/5 of it in one day, been a while since I've done that with a 500+ page book.
Even though I'd worked part of the finale out, there was still a little bit i hadn't quite put together. A very enjoyable tale, quite an interesting cast of characters. So much so I read pretty much 4/5 of it in one day, been a while since I've done that with a 500+ page book.
January 15, 2012
Somehow I missed the author's note at the beginning of this book, so I was reading it as a crime novel and not as a fictional biography, which is what it actually is. For this reason i would have given it two stars....until i read the author's note at the end of the book and had a "duh" moment. Great writing although it did drag for me in some parts, I am curious to read other books by the author.
August 14, 2016
I kept returning to this book between other reads, and consequently it felt like it was taking a long time for anything to happen; the story simmered along nicely, kept me intrigued but I kept waiting for fireworks. By the time I was about 80% through things really kicked off, and the ending and the twists it brought with it were amazing. Well worth the wait.
December 17, 2011
read more then half just lost interest and had skimmed to the end
Read
February 27, 2013Good
July 16, 2014
This is a brilliant book. Twists and turns right the way through. I've read al of QJ's books and gave loved them all. This is one of the best.
December 3, 2014
First novel I've read by this author and won't be the last. Slow burner but had me hooked.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews