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Gus Dury #2
Gutted
When the gangland owner of a pit bull that killed a three-year-old girl is found gutted on an Edinburgh hill Gus Dury is asked to investigate, and soon finds himself up to his neck in the warring underworld of the city's sink estates. Amidst illegal dog fights, a missing fifty grand and a police force and judiciary desperate to cover their links to a brutal killing, Gus must work fast to root out the truth, while the case sinks its teeth ever deeper into him.
- GenresCrime
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Tony Black
77 books115 followersTony Black is the author of more than 20 books, most recently Her Cold Eyes. He has been nominated for eight CWA Daggers and was runner up in The Guardian's Not the Booker prize for The Last Tiger.
He has written three crime series, a number of crime novellas and two collections of short stories. His acclaimed author interviews series was collected under the title, Hard Truths.
His novella, The Ringer, was adapted for the stage and the Ayr Gaiety performance can be found on YouTube.
A former Young Journalist of the Year, he still writes for the press regularly.
For more information, and the latest news visit his website at: www.tonyblack.net or his blog: www.pulppusher.blogspot.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter or Linked-In.
He has written three crime series, a number of crime novellas and two collections of short stories. His acclaimed author interviews series was collected under the title, Hard Truths.
His novella, The Ringer, was adapted for the stage and the Ayr Gaiety performance can be found on YouTube.
A former Young Journalist of the Year, he still writes for the press regularly.
For more information, and the latest news visit his website at: www.tonyblack.net or his blog: www.pulppusher.blogspot.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter or Linked-In.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 3, 2014
Powerful, focused, and intense ... and then it gets better. Get your money down early on this young man -- he's dead serious and deadly accurate.
September 18, 2012
Gus Dury, the unfashionable PI of sorts returns for a second go-round in 'Gutted' - an apt title if ever there was on. Since taking on Col's bar, things have gone down hill - living life through the bottom of a pint glass has not only deteriorated Gus' health but also his cash flow. Unfortunately for Gus, life is about to go a whole lot more complicated when he discovers a grisly murder while trying to rescue a dog from a bunch of hoods pent up on animal cruelty.
The body turns out to be that of a gangster who trains pit bulls for dog fighting - one of his pit pulls had earlier been responsible for the death of a three year old girl - a judges daughter. Immediately the murder looks to be a clear cut case of vengeance served until the cops finger Gus for it.
There is a lot to like about 'Gutted'; the free flowing dialogue really puts you in the thick of the environment, the characters are all tainted (those on both sides of the law), there is a splattering of reader references through Gus' past-time, and a likeness to the damaged protagonist not too dissimilar to Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor. The ex-wife returns with a bombshell and the cops are ever persistent in making Gus' life hell - no wonder he seeks solace in the bottom of a bottle.
Not only is 'Gutted' a well plotted whodunit murder mystery, it also portrays the growth (err, perhaps I mean slow demise?) of Gus and meets his addition head on. This is by far the best book I've read by Tony Black to date - 4 stars.
My review of the previous Gus Dury novel, 'Paying For It' can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The body turns out to be that of a gangster who trains pit bulls for dog fighting - one of his pit pulls had earlier been responsible for the death of a three year old girl - a judges daughter. Immediately the murder looks to be a clear cut case of vengeance served until the cops finger Gus for it.
There is a lot to like about 'Gutted'; the free flowing dialogue really puts you in the thick of the environment, the characters are all tainted (those on both sides of the law), there is a splattering of reader references through Gus' past-time, and a likeness to the damaged protagonist not too dissimilar to Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor. The ex-wife returns with a bombshell and the cops are ever persistent in making Gus' life hell - no wonder he seeks solace in the bottom of a bottle.
Not only is 'Gutted' a well plotted whodunit murder mystery, it also portrays the growth (err, perhaps I mean slow demise?) of Gus and meets his addition head on. This is by far the best book I've read by Tony Black to date - 4 stars.
My review of the previous Gus Dury novel, 'Paying For It' can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
March 20, 2023
Personally, I am so over the trope of the hard-boiled-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside guy, who is trying to numb his emotions with excessive alcohol abuse and has an utter stubborness against change. Not only for change in his own regards (no he won’t go to therapy, he is just too broken), but also in the change that is occuring in the world around him. Someone who is constantly complaining about everything while fostering a weird form of nostalgia, where he’s admitting that things used to be fucked up in the past too. This is our “hero” of the story and also the first person narrator, Gus Dury. He has gone through loss and he’s taking his pain out on everyone around him, deserving or undeserving. The thing is, I can relate to this guy. I know how it feels to be so numb from pain you have lost all hope for anything to ever get better. I also know it does get better, but it takes a lot of work. Work Gus Dury doesn’t want to do. He’s the blueprint for so many men and it kills me to know that many would read this book and feel connected to the protagonist and feel affirmed by the way he is “handling” his problems.
Otherwise, if you don’t have a personal problem with that sort of main protagonist, Gutted is an enjoyable read. It’s a fast paced, clever thriller that keeps you hooked until the very end. Black points the finger quite accurately to the systemic problems that lead to crime and the police is depicted as the corrupt and problematic organization that it is.
Otherwise, if you don’t have a personal problem with that sort of main protagonist, Gutted is an enjoyable read. It’s a fast paced, clever thriller that keeps you hooked until the very end. Black points the finger quite accurately to the systemic problems that lead to crime and the police is depicted as the corrupt and problematic organization that it is.
June 4, 2012
I would have given it more stars if it wasn't for the language (especially the slang used in dialogues) that characterizes Gus Dury very well but was difficult for me to understand. Liked the Black humor ;), the setting and Dury, not so much the plot revolving around dog fights. Recommend it (for native speakers).
October 11, 2012
Awesome. Everything Tony Black writes is gold. Can't wait to read the 3rd book in the series.
March 17, 2018
If you like gritty British crime fiction then meet Gus Dury – world weary ex-journalist, anti-hero and booze hound brilliantly realised by author Tony Black. Gus innocently stumbles on a gruesome murder scene while on a dodgy stake-out starting another gritty crime story set in the cold mean streets of Edinburgh. The investigation leads Gus into the dark violent underworld of gangland boss Rab Hart. With the police on his back and copper Jonny Johnstone about to marry Gus’s ex-wife Debs, he really starts to drink himself into oblivion while fighting for the truth in some dark, gruesome places. Once again author Tony Black manages to develop a powerful emotional core to this novel by showing the tragedy and personal reasons behind Gus’s fractured relationship with his ex-wife, slowly peeling back the layers of denial. Gutted is the second book in the Gus Dury series and readers should definitely start with the equally impressive first novel Paying for It before reading Gutted. Once again Tony Black produces a superb piece of gritty crime fiction that in my opinion stands above most modern crime novels.
June 3, 2020
A good friend bought me a signed copy of this as a birthday present a few years ago. I do enjoy a good crime novel now and again, and this was one of those times. I enjoyed that I got most of the pop culture references too. The use of Scots is very well done indeed, though I wonder how it would read for someone south of the border. I should ask my wife to read it!
I do like a book with short chapters too.
I have the next in the series and will definitely be reading that. I may even seek out the first.
I do like a book with short chapters too.
I have the next in the series and will definitely be reading that. I may even seek out the first.
November 4, 2019
Very Ken Bruen, equally painful to read...who doesn't love functional self-destruction.
February 13, 2015
There’s always a risk in taking on a new author, even in a genre that suggests you should enjoy the book. The quotes on the backs of books are usually unanimous in their praise and can’t be relied upon to be an accurate judge of the quality between the covers. But when an author is compared to others you already know are great writers, this does raise the expectation level a little. This is not always a good thing.
Gus Dury is a former journalist, down on his luck and living most of his life at the bottom of a bottle, and the rest at the bottom of a pint glass. He’s running his deceased friend’s pub, but not terribly well and he’s drinking more profit than he’s making. One night, hearing a commotion on a hill and going to investigate, he literally stumbles across a murder victim. Found at the scene with blood on his hands, he immediately becomes a suspect. His motive seems clear, as the victim was also robbed of a large amount of money, which would cure Dury’s debt problems.
The victim was working for one of Edinburgh’s main gang leaders who is understandably upset about the missing money and is keen to ensure he gets it back. The police are also keen to pin the murder on Dury, especially as the lead officer is involved with Dury’s ex-wife and so has personal as well as professional reasons for wanting him out of the way. With the police sure the case is closed, Dury has to cast a bleary and bloodshot investigative eye over proceedings to clear his name.
This is a wonderfully paced book, not letting up for a moment. Black writes in similar short chapters to James Patterson which helps keep the pages turning. That said, even without this, it would still feel like a fast paced story, as Black has a good eye for keeping the action moving along. Even in the slower moments, there is still plenty happening and there is a sense that the next piece of excitement isn’t too far away. This makes it quite a tough story to tear yourself away from.
Despite knowing little about the life Black describes, there is quite an authentic feel to the story. Many of the characters have a false bravado and others have a despairing, beaten down quality to them. The dialogue always feels realistic, no matter who is speaking to who and there are some quite entertaining moments when Dury is swapping insults with the police. There’s one especially lovely moment where, referring to trees, Dury remarks ‘’don’t ask me what kind – I’m from Leith’’, which felt like a wonderful throwaway line adding a touch of humour to what can be quite a dark tale at times.
This isn’t one for the squeamish, as it delves into Edinburgh’s darker recesses and there are several nasty killings. It opens with the discovery of a corpse and gets worse from there, with dog fights as entertainment and potential witnesses being removed from the game permanently. There is one especially gruesome scene where a man has his throat ripped out by a couple of dogs that Black describes in such detail that it has the ability to turn the reader’s stomach as it did Dury’s.
Unfortunately, as well written and as occasionally disturbing as it is, the book did feel a little light and lacking in punch, even allowing for the number of them Dury throws. Perhaps due to the quick pace, much seemed skimmed over and there wasn’t a lot of mystery involved. Everything was presented for the reader and there was little depth. What disappointed me most was the ending, which seemed unlikely and unsatisfying and didn’t seem in keeping with much that had gone before.
This isn’t a bad read, perfect for a time when you don’t want to concentrate too hard on things. But like the alcohol which provides most of Dury’s calorific intake, it may be filling for a while but you find yourself wanting and needing a little bit more. ‘’Gutted’’ is entertaining enough, but despite the occasional nice touch on show, there is better available.
This review may also appear, in whole or in part, under my name at any or all of www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk and www.dooyoo.co.uk
Gus Dury is a former journalist, down on his luck and living most of his life at the bottom of a bottle, and the rest at the bottom of a pint glass. He’s running his deceased friend’s pub, but not terribly well and he’s drinking more profit than he’s making. One night, hearing a commotion on a hill and going to investigate, he literally stumbles across a murder victim. Found at the scene with blood on his hands, he immediately becomes a suspect. His motive seems clear, as the victim was also robbed of a large amount of money, which would cure Dury’s debt problems.
The victim was working for one of Edinburgh’s main gang leaders who is understandably upset about the missing money and is keen to ensure he gets it back. The police are also keen to pin the murder on Dury, especially as the lead officer is involved with Dury’s ex-wife and so has personal as well as professional reasons for wanting him out of the way. With the police sure the case is closed, Dury has to cast a bleary and bloodshot investigative eye over proceedings to clear his name.
This is a wonderfully paced book, not letting up for a moment. Black writes in similar short chapters to James Patterson which helps keep the pages turning. That said, even without this, it would still feel like a fast paced story, as Black has a good eye for keeping the action moving along. Even in the slower moments, there is still plenty happening and there is a sense that the next piece of excitement isn’t too far away. This makes it quite a tough story to tear yourself away from.
Despite knowing little about the life Black describes, there is quite an authentic feel to the story. Many of the characters have a false bravado and others have a despairing, beaten down quality to them. The dialogue always feels realistic, no matter who is speaking to who and there are some quite entertaining moments when Dury is swapping insults with the police. There’s one especially lovely moment where, referring to trees, Dury remarks ‘’don’t ask me what kind – I’m from Leith’’, which felt like a wonderful throwaway line adding a touch of humour to what can be quite a dark tale at times.
This isn’t one for the squeamish, as it delves into Edinburgh’s darker recesses and there are several nasty killings. It opens with the discovery of a corpse and gets worse from there, with dog fights as entertainment and potential witnesses being removed from the game permanently. There is one especially gruesome scene where a man has his throat ripped out by a couple of dogs that Black describes in such detail that it has the ability to turn the reader’s stomach as it did Dury’s.
Unfortunately, as well written and as occasionally disturbing as it is, the book did feel a little light and lacking in punch, even allowing for the number of them Dury throws. Perhaps due to the quick pace, much seemed skimmed over and there wasn’t a lot of mystery involved. Everything was presented for the reader and there was little depth. What disappointed me most was the ending, which seemed unlikely and unsatisfying and didn’t seem in keeping with much that had gone before.
This isn’t a bad read, perfect for a time when you don’t want to concentrate too hard on things. But like the alcohol which provides most of Dury’s calorific intake, it may be filling for a while but you find yourself wanting and needing a little bit more. ‘’Gutted’’ is entertaining enough, but despite the occasional nice touch on show, there is better available.
This review may also appear, in whole or in part, under my name at any or all of www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk and www.dooyoo.co.uk
October 9, 2014
Gus Dury, everyone's favourite jakey ex-journalist-turned-investigator gets himself in to yet more trouble!!
Whilst on a stake-out to break up a badger-baiting ring, Gus stops a group of yobs torturing a dog and gets a hiding for his trouble. He wakes up covered in blood after stumbling in to the body of a recently-murdered member of one of the local gangs.
What follows is extraordinary as Gus battles corrupt cops, gangsters, mounting debts, his ex-wife and his own not-insubstantial drink problems.
Gus is an oddly likable character, despite his flaws, and Tony Black writes without ever asking for sympathy for the character.
As ever, the dialogue is heavy in the dialect of the Edinburgh area but that adds to the realism of the book.
I loved this and can't wait to start on the next one.
Whilst on a stake-out to break up a badger-baiting ring, Gus stops a group of yobs torturing a dog and gets a hiding for his trouble. He wakes up covered in blood after stumbling in to the body of a recently-murdered member of one of the local gangs.
What follows is extraordinary as Gus battles corrupt cops, gangsters, mounting debts, his ex-wife and his own not-insubstantial drink problems.
Gus is an oddly likable character, despite his flaws, and Tony Black writes without ever asking for sympathy for the character.
As ever, the dialogue is heavy in the dialect of the Edinburgh area but that adds to the realism of the book.
I loved this and can't wait to start on the next one.
February 11, 2013
Poor Gus Dury - a train wreck with self destruction in mind.
The story line is a tough one for me, breeding killer dogs and dog fights are not something to be cheered on nor betted on and those that host these "events" need to be hog-tied and whipped, then thrown in a cell with Bubba and lose the key!
Anyways, Gus never knows when to shut his mouth until the end - he stands for good, I'll give that to him, I just can't get into someone who abuses their body and sole so deeply.
The analogies and quips and quotes from movies are still abundant and spike my memories - I like those parts of the book.
It's a fairly good read, but difficult story line for me - I'm a dog lover and so is Gus and that made the book a bit easier to read.
The story line is a tough one for me, breeding killer dogs and dog fights are not something to be cheered on nor betted on and those that host these "events" need to be hog-tied and whipped, then thrown in a cell with Bubba and lose the key!
Anyways, Gus never knows when to shut his mouth until the end - he stands for good, I'll give that to him, I just can't get into someone who abuses their body and sole so deeply.
The analogies and quips and quotes from movies are still abundant and spike my memories - I like those parts of the book.
It's a fairly good read, but difficult story line for me - I'm a dog lover and so is Gus and that made the book a bit easier to read.
January 3, 2016
As an insight into the mind of an alcoholic jobless divorcee it can't be beat. And in addition the man hurtles himself into situations which threaten life and limb, but for mostly good reasons. With mostly bad results for himself, painfully - vividly - described. He gets up again a bit quicker than I'd've thought possible (but then, I'm no more a bloke used to beatings than I am an alcoholic!) and hurtles on into seemingly ever more hopeless situations.
Once or twice the high-speed prose lost me, and ultimately misses, just, the sort of book I especially like. But there's no doubt the man can write.
Once or twice the high-speed prose lost me, and ultimately misses, just, the sort of book I especially like. But there's no doubt the man can write.
December 9, 2013
I don't believe Tony Black is capable of writing a bad novel. Read this and everything else he's penned. I make no apologies. I'm a big Tony Black fan, so my hunch is all of my reviews will have 5 stars, only hindered by the fact there aren't 10 clicks. The main character, Gus Dury, is an incorrigible, but immensely likeable star of a four-book series. This is the second book, with Gus in pursuit of simply doing the right thing, and features great, snappy dialog, lots of which I'd like to steal and use in my daily life.
November 3, 2014
The second Gus Dury story from Tony Black and it's a moving, gritty and sometimes very funny story. For those yet to be introduced to Edinburgh's alcoholic ex-reporter, Dury is a mess but a thoroughly decent one. Only problem is his decency gets him into terrible scrapes, like here, when he intervenes to stop a gang of yobs torturing a dog and stumble on an eviserated corpse. Salty dialogue, street smart and very readable.
September 2, 2012
Wow I loved this book, sharp, edgy and tightly written. Based in Edinburgh the plot outlines the seedier side of the city and it's inhabitants in a blunt fashion that lends itself to the tale. Gus Dury is an excellent protagonist, down in life but hasn't stopped fighting. I will be picking up the rest of Tony Black's books very shortly.
May 16, 2014
I really like the Gus Dury series. It's got action and a lot of fiery emotional depth, with Gus and his tribulations at the center. The mixture of rage and sorrow that Gus feels, about what's happened to him and his family as well as Edinburgh/Scotland, are palpable.
Plus, "Gutted" works very well as a mystery. Black keeps several cards up his sleeve and plays them skillfully.
Plus, "Gutted" works very well as a mystery. Black keeps several cards up his sleeve and plays them skillfully.
April 10, 2010
very raw and earthy tale about an ex-journalist alcoholic who mixes with very seedy characters but has a sense of nobility and arouses sympathy plus very pacy thriller
May 20, 2010
A friend recommended this book and he was right: It's visceral but also touching. Tony Black writes with verve and style.
January 12, 2012
Good Morning
This is my First Tony Black novel. Tells the story from the other side of the law . Funny ,yet gritty at the same time. Cant wait for more
This is my First Tony Black novel. Tells the story from the other side of the law . Funny ,yet gritty at the same time. Cant wait for more
July 23, 2016
Another enjoyable read. I really love the way Tony Black writes and the way he draws you to actualy care about what happens to Gus and how he deals with what life throws at him.
July 11, 2016
If you like William McIlvanney's Laidlaw or Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor you will definitely like the Gus Dury series. This is my second one and I can't wait to read the next
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews