The Quiet Death of Thomas Quaid

Lennox #5

by Craig Russell

Lennox liked Quiet Tommy Quaid. Perhaps it's odd for a private detective to like - even admire - a career thief, but Quiet Tommy Quaid was the sort of man everyone liked. Amiable, easy-going, well-dressed, with no vices to speak of - well, aside from his excessive drinking and womanising, but then in 1950s Glasgow those are practically virtues. And besides, throughout his many exploits outside the law, Quiet Tommy never once used violence. It was rumoured to be the police who gave him his nickname - because whenever they caught him, which was not often, he always came quietly. So probably even the police liked him, deep down.

Above all, the reason people liked Tommy was that he you knew exactly what you were dealing with. Here, everybody realized, was someone who was exactly, simply and totally who and what he seemed to be.

But when Tommy turns up dead, Lennox and the rest of Glasgow will find out just how wrong they were.

Genres: Crime, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Scotland

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Award-winning, best-selling and critically-acclaimed author. His novels have been published in twenty-five languages around the world. The movie rights to the Devil Aspect have been bought by Columbia Pictures. Biblical, his science-fiction novel, has been acquired by Imaginarium Studios/Sonar Entertainment, four Jan Fabel novels have been made into movies (in one of which Craig Russell makes a cameo appearance as a detective) for ARD, the German national broadcaster, and the Lennox series has been optioned for TV development.

Craig Russell:
• won the 2015 Crime Book of the Year (McIlvanney Prize) for 'The Ghosts of Altona', and is currently longlisted for the 2017 McIlvanney Prize for 'The Quiet Death of Thomas Quaid', the latest in the Lennox series;
• was a finalist for the 2013 Ellis Peters Historical Dagger;
• was a finalist for the 2012 Crime Book of the Year (McIlvanney Prize);
• won the 2008 CWA Dagger in the Library for the Fabel series;
• was a finalist for the 2007 CWA Duncan Lawrie Golden Dagger;
• was a finalist for the 2007 SNCF Prix Polar in France;
• is the only non-German to be awarded the highly prestigious Polizeistern by the Polizei
Hamburg.

Official website: http://www.craigrussell.com
Facebook Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/craigrussell...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecraigrussell

Also writes under the pseudonym Christopher Galt

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The award winning Craig Russell continues his atmospheric period 1950s Glasgow series with the private enquiry agent, Lennox. This is a high calibre, superbly crafted, complex and intelligent crime story that you would expect from Russell. Lennox and Quaid are sharp dressed friends who go way back. Quaid is a well known thief and master cat burglar, he is popular and well liked, even by the police. His good humour and character suggests that he is an open book. Not so, as we are to discover.

Lennox accepts a job from a Mr McNaught which seems to be easy money. He engages Quaid to carry it out, as he has the perfect skills to do it. Despite misgivings, Quaid carries out the job only to apparently fall to his death in what looks like an accident. Lennox finds him and he only just escapes by the skin of his teeth. Lennox and Quaid's sister, Jennifer, are suspicious as Quaid was skilful and careful. Feeling guilt because he feels responsible and because he is enamoured with Jennifer, Lennox agrees to investigate for no cost. Lennox discovers that there is so much to Quaid that no one knew about. There are various dangerous and ruthless interested parties who are looking to secure evidence that Quaid had to despicable and heinous crimes. The evidence suggests that the perpetrators come from powerful circles that include the judiciary and the police.

This is the murkiest of blood drenched trails and Lennox is willing to die to try and get justice. He cannot do it alone and he puts together a team to help him. This team includes Jonny Cohen, one of Glasgow's 3 crime kings, ex-cop Archie, ex enforcer Twinkletoes and Tony the Pole. The bodies pile up and Lennox is even aided by DCI Ferguson. To the best of his ability, Lennox tries to follow Quaid's philosophy of trying not to be violent or to kill. He is doomed to fail but it still colours his decisions at crucial times.

This is an effortlessly engaging and erudite read with outstanding plotlines, and highly complex characterisation. Russell is one of my favourite crime writers and he has delivered a novel which I had to read and finish despite having other commitments. It is intense, gripping, suspenseful and full of tension. I loved the Glasgow that Russell creates, it is a central character in itself. A superb and highly recommended read. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

[Andrew Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back in 1950’s Glasgow for the fifth (and as we stand, last) instalment in this series featuring a private detective known simply as Lennox. Though he always seems to hanker for a return to Canada, the country in which he spent his formative years, it’s the largest city in the nation of his birth that he’s found himself stalking since the end of the war – a war in which he discovered he had a propensity for uncontrolled violence that still rears its ugly head from time to time. Glasgow is a tough city and Lennox has found himself working more often than he’d like for one of three powerful underworld bosses. But these days he’s trying to distance himself from any form of illegal activity. That is until an opportunity comes knocking that sounds just too good to miss out on.

Thomas Quaid is a decent man and one of the few men in this city that Lennox can call a friend. Quaid is a burglar who is known for his aversion to any kind of violence. But when he finds himself drawn into a job that has been sold to him by Lennox it’s violence that visits him. And in its aftermath Lennox becomes embroiled in a series of events that test his ability to control the dark urges that lurk within him. He’s also forced to once again work with one of Glasgow’s crime bosses, a man known as Handsome Jonny Cohen.

This is another fine tale in a series that I’ve loved from the very start. It’s a set of stories that really need to be read in order as each book builds on its predecessor as we learn more about the central character – and indeed a few others too – as the series progresses. Yes, there is violence here but sensitivity too and, for me, an all pervading sense of melancholy. Add to this the dark humour that peppers the pages and it all adds up to an irresistible package. I really hope there’s a sixth book to come but even if there isn’t this series will stand as one the finest I’ve read. Highly recommended.

[Nick Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very stylish - I had forgotten how well the Lennox series blends hard-boiled Marlowesque prose with the more favourite of mine Scottish noir. The plot here is excellent (investigating the death of the titular associate of Lennox, and the complex reasons behind it) but more impressive is Russell's talent for describing the post-WWII Glasgow setting and the varied characters inhabiting this dark place, and doing so with wit and colour.

One of the most notable aspects is how Russell avoids one of my most oft-irritating bêtes noire, that being a protagonist who unrealistically progresses through solving a mystery with superhuman insight and perfection, surviving endless mortal threats. Here Lennox comes across as a bright and resourceful man, a complex character who the reader can identify with and root for in the main, but who isn't without flaws - but who is reliant on the assistance of others to piece the central mystery together and sort it. The novel is very violent and contains some very upsetting subjects which many might find too much and too offensive, but I very much enjoyed this.

[Gram · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy addition to Craig Russell's series of books about Glasgow private inquiry agent Lennox. Set in the 1950's, the book opens with Lennox being hired by a mystery man named McNaught to burgle a city foundry, better known for its production of cast iron fountains and steal a set of plans. McNaught doesn't give details of these plans, but Lennox accepts the job and engages an old friend , "Quiet" Tommy Quaid - a master cat burglar - who expresses some concern at the reason behind the proposed theft. It turns out Quaid's misgivings are justified. While carrying out the job, he falls from the foundry roof and is found dead. But Lennox is convinced this was no accident. That feeling is reinforced when he meets, and is smitten by, Quaid's younger sister, Jennifer.

Gradually, Lennox discovers that, during a previous burglary, Quaid had discovered some incriminating documents and it was his theft of those that triggered a scheme to murder him.

It seems some influential people are determined to see there are no loose ends, so Lennox decides to increase the odds in his favour, employing the services of some unlikely allies - Jonny Cohen, one of Glasgow's major gangsters, Lennox's own inquiry agency partner, former Glasgow police detective Archie McClelland, and ex Glasgow gang enforcer, the wonderfully nicknamed "Twinkletoes" McBride. (Twinkletoes' soubriquet has a very sinister background!)

There follows a deal of violence, with several dead and injured along the way, but all the while you get the feeling that, whatever the outcome, the people pulling the strings will prevail.

Although set in the late 1950's, this is a story that could have been written about recent events in any country. The author perfectly captures the atmosphere of 1950's Glasgow and Lennox is an anti-hero, who - despite his often violent background - is a decent man who believes in and justice and will risk his life to right a wrong. A great crime thriller from an author who never fails to deliver.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read any of the previous 4 in the Lennox series & I honestly believe that this made no difference whatsoever to my enjoyment of this book. There were so many twists and turns in the plot that my head was spinning. Lennox is a very likeable lead character and the writers description of 1950s Glasgow was very informative. Will now be looking out for the previous in series & any after this one

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus for an advance copy of The Quiet Death Of Thomas Quaid, the fifth outing in late 1950s Glasgow for enquiry agent Lennox.

Lennox is an enquiry agent (we would call him a private detective) with a rather elastic view of the law. He is trying to go straight but when he is offered funny money to break into a foundry and steal some plans he can't refuse. He enlists the help of Quiet Thomas Quaid, cat burglar extraordinaire, to carry it out. They both have misgivings but are blinded by the money and devise a plan. It all goes wrong when Lennox finds Thomas's body and himself seconds from being framed for murder. As it is Thomas's death is put down to an accident during the commission of a crime. Lennox with his knowledge of what happened is unhappy about this but it is Thomas's sister, Jennifer, and her request for Lennox to investigate, fuelled by Thomas's insistence that he is the only man to be trusted, who spurs him into action.

The Quiet Death Of Thomas Quaid is an excellent read on many levels. The plot has plenty of action, twists and turns and it kept me glued to the pages. One of the main themes, the abuse of power and the ability of the powerful to escape justice, is as relevant now as it was then although I think it was easier to keep it secret in those pre-social media days, especially as the majority of the population still had respect for people in positions of authority.

Mr Russell does a tremendous job of painting late 1950s Glasgow from the dirt and grime of the inner city to the leafy suburbs of Kelvinside and Newton Mearns (still two of the most desirable areas in Glasgow), from the comfortable life of the middle class to the choiceless life of the working class. He makes the point that everyone, except the quintessential outsider Lennox, knows their place and keeping the status quo is in everyone's interest. They seem like strange values now in our socially mobile society but they cast a long shadow on where we might end up again.

As I said Lennox is the quintessential outsider, Canadian he ended up in Glasgow after the war and is too ashamed of what he has become to return home. He is a cynical man with an appetite for alcohol and women but underneath this exterior he is a bit of an idealist. He wants not necessarily justice but the bad men punished for their misdeeds and he isn't too fussy in his methods. Thomas Quaid and his distaste for violence have a posthumous effect on him as he starts to develop a conscience, well a bit of one at least. The novel is written in the first person so we get a good perspective on how Lennox thinks and what motivates him but it also allows Mr Russell to cast a jaundiced eye over the social realities of the time.

Although The Quiet Death Of Thomas Quaid is the fifth novel in the series it works well as a stand alone as each character and their history, many of them old friends from the preceding novels, are briefly recapped to keep new readers informed.

I really like all Mr Russell's writing and this is no exception so I have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I thought once, reading this, "This feels like the end but cannot be because there's too many pages left" I thought it more than half a dozen times. Intricate, twisty, well-charactered and perfectly executed, this had a high but frequently well-deserved body count. And Lennox continues to grow in stature.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gem from Mr Russell. Review to come.

[Craig Sisterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a superb, intelligent, atmospheric crime tale set against the blackened edifices of post-war Glasgow. Stylish and gritty, Russell offers readers a tartan take on the classic hard-boiled noir made famous by California writers like Chandler, Hammett, and Macdonald. And makes it his own.

Although it's the fifth instalment in Russell's series starting Canadian soldier turned Glasgow 'Enquiry Agent' Lennox, THE QUIET DEATH OF THOMAS QUAID could comfortably be read and enjoyed by those brand new to this absolutely top-shelf series. It tells a compelling standalone tale, while also providing long-time readers with more insights into the battle-scarred Canadian.

Lennox has never been afraid to deal in the grey area; he has his own moral code which doesn't always gel with others. He's a classic anti-hero, a knight errant operating in a corrupt world, trying not to fall prey, too much, to the griminess and violence that can surround him. But willing to cross some lines where necessary. In the past year, he's toned down the line-crossing, having partnered up with a former Glasgow policeman. The shingle now says Lennox and McClelland, Enquiry Agents.

But his new partner probably wouldn't approve of a job Lennox gets from a Mr McNaught, a job that requires the burglary skills of one 'Quiet' Tommy Quaid. When it all goes horribly wrong, Tommy turns up dead and Lennox barely escapes, our (anti)hero is left wondering whether he's been set up.

Feeling guilty, Lennox pounces on an opportunity from Tommy's sister for him to investigate the death. For free. He discovers that there was much more to the seemingly amiable Tommy Quaid than met the eye, but Quaid was only one of many men hiding their true character behind a facade. Lennox is digging into very dangerous ground, a murky underworld of politics and power. Of secrets and cover-ups, a place filled with ruthless people willing to do anything to maintain their position.

THE QUIET DEATH OF TOMMY QUAID is a terrific read, a compelling page-turner that provides a lot of depth and many thought-provoking themes along the way. 1950s Glasgow shimmers darkly from the pages, a changing city where all sorts of interests collide, out of sight of the general populace. Lennox is an engaging main character, complex and resourceful, who is easy to follow even down the most sordid of alleyways. He's flanked by an intriguing cast of supporting characters, memorable and at times larger than life. Glasgow crime kings, brutal enforcers, top cops. Each is more than they seem, and are brought to clear and compelling life by Russell.

Reading a Lennox book is like pointing to the top shelf in a renowned whisky bar. You're in for something delicious, complex, and a little special.

[Christina Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to review without spoiling the surprises - but in general terms another carefully observed and authentic slice of post-war Glasgow gangland, with a few of the sardonic asides that we've come to associate with Lennox. For once, he isn't operating totally alone, he's able to call on some of his contacts for a good cause, and I enjoyed meeting some of his friends again.
It's a satisfying read because although he can't undo the harm that was done, he's able to wreak a bit of havoc in his own corner and mete out some very basic justice.
If you like to visualise the clothes, the cars, the cafes and streets of the 1950s, you will love the detail in this.
This is quite a dark book in its basic story, but just like life it's illuminated with flashes and sparks of feeling, light and even humour in this murky tale.
I really loved it, would recommend as the best of this series after the original Lennox.

[John Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1950’s Glasgow this is a very atmospheric and funny novel with a great detective story. Tommy Quaid dies whilst undertaking a task for his friend Lennox, who as a private detective was already suspicious of the client, certain his death is not the tragic accident that the police think. Digging further into “Quiet Tommy’s” death he starts to uncover connections that leads him into trouble and using his network in the police and the criminal underworld he is determined to track down the killer. One of the attractive elements of Craig Russell’s writing style is his unique way he builds a very vivid picture of fifties Glasgow. Not only is it entertaining it is also educational with details of immigration and accents that created Glasgow’s special culture. Add all this to the excellent storyline and the exciting action involved in tracking the killer and you get an superb novel.

[Bill Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Another fantastic Lennox Story in Wartime Glasgow"

Craig Russell`s storylines and Sean Barrett`s narration were made for each other.

Set in the Glasgow that my grandparents grew up in The Quiet Death of Thomas Quade is a another compelling Glasgow Noir Novel. Its gritty and that includes the fog, love interests and police. But its more than that the characterisation and the brilliant narration put you right inside the heads of a very troubled generation who were coping with the aftermath of the war.

If you havnt read/listened to and of the Lennox novels you are in for a stellar treat. Do yourself a favour take the week off what ever you were going to do and start with book number 1 Lennox. This book is as good as any in the series.

Bill Scott Edinburgh

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Glasgow Noir, understated, possessing flashes of both conscience and also dark humour. A thoroughly crafted plot that runs quietly to its conclusion without the risk of hyperbole that some might indulge in to heighten tension which would be unnecessary. A terse, commentary voice with the narrative themes of episodes of moral justice, righteousness and vengeance making for a quality story. Lennox and his associates avenging Tommy Quaid result in an epic tour de force.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thoroughly enjoyable journey through the darker side of 1950s Glasgow, courtesy of Lennox. An engaging story, told with great writing and strong dialogue, with several moments of humour - both dark and light. Highly recommended reading, for both previous readers and new initiates! Craig Russell's Lennox could almost be a Scottish-based relative of Raymond Chandler's Marlowe!

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Lennox series and the Glasgow setting. Once I started, I could not put this book down.It grips you and pulls you in from the start. Great characters and another fantastic plot from Craig Russell. Thank you net galley for my copy.

[Jose Ignacio · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Quiet Death of Thomas Quaid is the fifth book in the Lennox series. The story begins one Friday the eleventh of July, nineteen fifty-eight in Glasgow. A year before, Lennox, a former Canadian officer who had settled in Glasgow at the end of the World War II, had hired Archie McClelland, a former Glasgow policeman to help him in the business. Archie had helped Lennox to stay on the straight and narrow and for what he had done, the sign on the door now says Lennox and McClelland, Enquiry Agents. Before Archie had come along, most of the work Lennox had done had been for the Three Kings, the triumvirate of crooks who run much that was legal and everything that wasn’t in Glasgow. But the Three Kings – Willie Sneddon, Hammer Murphy and Handsome Jonny Cohen – are not the kind of people who generally take a no for an answer, so the price Lennox has still to pay is to do the odd job for the Kings ‘off the books’ – and very much out of Archie’s sight.

On that particular day Lennox receives the visit of a certain Mr McNaught. Coincidentally, at that moment Archie had just leave the office. McNaught wants to hire Lennox services, or rather the person to whom he represents, who wishes to remain anonymous. The job in question is about stealing some industrial secrets. Stealing intellectual property may not be a crime at the time but breaking and entering to gain access to those secrets it certainly is a crime. In any case the job is well rewarded, and Lennox accepts it without telling a word to his associate. In order to carry that job out, Lennox has to count with the necessary cooperation of Tommy Quaid. Glasgow’s best burglar and someone who count with the complete confidence of Lennox. However things will turn out terribly wrong and Thomas Quaid is murdered during the robbery attempt. As a result, Lennox feels guilty for having involved his friend and, thanks to Tommy Quaid’s sister request, finds the legal pretext to dig deeper into the cause of his death.

I have to recognise that since I read one of Craig Russell books in his Lennox series I became addicted to it. I have read them all and you can find my reviews about his previous books further below. Probably I particularly like this series because it is written in one of the purest hard-boiled styles that can be found today, though the action takes place in the Glasgow, during the 50s of the last century. Consequently, the stories are narrated in first person by Lennox himself. Lennox is an attractive character, despite his rather questionable moral sense. To a certain extent he’s a good example of a classic anti-hero whose life was shattered as a consequence of the war, and who now survives in a corrupt environment. On this occasion in particular the story centres around the abuse of power and in the ability of the powerful to escape justice, a theme which, regrettably, remains thoroughly in force nowadays. I’ve found the story highly interesting and the recreation of Glasgow is well documented or, at least, that’s what has seemed to me Besides, it has some good twists and turns that manage to keep the reader glued to its pages until the end. Despite some minor flaws affecting the credibility of some very specific passages, I’ve certainly enjoyed its reading. Though being the fifth instalment in the series, it can be read as a standalone book.

[Steve Aldous · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a four-year break, this is the fifth book in Craig Russell’s 1950s Glasgow-set noir series featuring Canadian private detective Lennox (he has no first name). The book is a dark tale of sordid crimes and cover-ups. The McGuffin is a stolen ledger containing photographs of several prominent citizens involved in unspeakable acts. Lennox becomes involved through his association with the murdered thief who obtained these items. The plot involves various factions with interest in retrieving them and Lennox has to draw on his instincts, honed during WWII, to get to the bottom of the mystery and expose those who are responsible. Russell is an engaging writer whose style owes more than a debt to Raymond Chandler in his prose style, but whose hero has perhaps more in common with Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer in his approach to detection. There is much wit amidst the sordidness and Russell delves deeply into Lennox’s psyche, highlighting the emotional scars he carries over from the war and their impact on his actions – despite his attempts to suppress them. It is a confident mystery with a satisfying, if a little rushed, finale, that wraps up the many strands of the plot. The spirit of the classic pulp novels is alive and well in Craig Russell’s writing.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb Celtic Noir

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed all the books in the series, I finished this, with a deep feeling of disappointment: was this just the latest of the latest and the last?
Lennox is without doubt, one of the finest creations of British crime writing and Craig Russell has kept the standard at a rare level throughout the series. In his latest outing Lennox is seeking the killers of a close friend and in the process discovers a crime that that reaches to the very top of Scottish legal circles. How he deals with it, is an example of crime noir at its best.
The descriptions of 50's Glasgow, remind me at times, of James Lee Burke and I can think of no higher praise. The cast of characters in every book, have always connected with me and their development during the series has been very satisfying. On a more personal note, the descriptions of Lennox's wardrobe have always touched my inner GQ. Light weight Italian suiting, Prince of Wales check, hand made tailoring and polished brogues; sartorial heaven.
Not a spoiler, but I just hope that the ending was Lennox's rise into the sunset.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally finished this Chandleresque slice of Tartan Noir. Set in 1950s Glasgow, 'The Quiet Death' is the fifth instalment of the Lennox novels featuring Canadian born but Glasgow based private detective Lennox and his partner Archie. The eponymous Quaid is an expert cat burglar, hired by Lennox to help him remove some apparently secret blue prints from a local foundry, and, as the title suggests, things go badly wrong, leaving Lennox wracked with guilt over the death of his friend and determined to discover who seems to have broken Quaid's neck before hauling him from a rooftop.
Overall, engaging and well written, although Lennox is at times, a little too graphic in his attitudes towards women (perhaps lending an air of authenticity to a 1950s man) but this revels in the murky underworld and top level corruption, although the now over-used motif of child abuse rears its head yet again, as it did in Horowitz's first Moriarty novel.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first of the Lennox series I have read and I will be rushing to the library for the others. It was a great stand alone read by a very confident writer. Yes, it was a crime thriller with a lot of violence with a basic plot that was not a surprise (powerful people try to retrieve incriminating material), but so well done. I loved the sense of Glasgow in the 1950s and the lingering effects of war service on men and also the changing Empire. It was very wordy with lots of descriptions such as details of the mens' clothes, which usually really annoys me as lots of padding, but here it all made sense. Surprised there are not more ratings and reviews - the series deserves to be better known.

[Anetq · Rating 3 out of 5]

A PI in the 50s surrounded by gangsters and dodgy cops gets mixed up in something a lot bigger than him - and it turns out to be very, very dangerous...
(Well it's not The Maltese Falcon, but it's fairly close - and I guess it's hard to avoid sounding a little cliché, when writing about a setting that's been done to death and then parodied for decades...)
Actually it's a rather complicated and clever plot, and nicely executed - even if it was a bit longwinding in places, and I really don't care about neither the flashy nor the inconspicuous car choices of the late 50s.

[Raymond Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post war Glasgow thriller

This is a very good story set amongst the back drop of the declining relevance of the industrialists that made Glasgow one of the most important cities in the world during the first 60 years of the last century.

The author mixes vivid descriptions of the city and surrounding countryside with vivid characters and a sharp sense of humour against an interesting plot.

This is the first Lennox novel I’ve read and I will definitely read more in the future.

[Will Quarry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a shame to think about the last book in the Lennox series. However, it is a great finish!

Seeing Lennox in rather a different light, he is looking to avenge his friend (I would mark the review as a spoiler, were the name of the book itself not one!), which feels unusual for him; for those who have read the book, the idea of Lennox and friends seem rather at odds to one another. But a great work that makes it.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this is such a good book. Remarkably well-written, with a great sense of humour and heavily packed with action. Really, really packed!
Lennox is a character you get to like because he's interesting, funny, humane, sometimes self-deprecating, with an emotional depth that might surprise you.

Outcome: interesting storyline, masterful execution, complicated and very well-thought-out characters, this is an exceptionally enjoyable read!

[John Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This genre is crime thriller set in 1950's Glasgow, from the point of view of a very tough Canadian army officer, turned Private Detective. Very witty, well written, with a good storyline. However, it is very parochial, so it helps if you understand the West coast humour and gangland culture of the time.

[Jennifer Gottschalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing is quaint with a delightful turn of phrase that, at times, had me laughing out loud.

Gems like "the City of Glasgow Police failed to understand the lexical difference between 'catholic' and 'suspect' added to the book's charm.

The plot is masterful and the characters are both complex and compelling.

This was an outstanding red from a skilled writer. Highly recommended.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An another excellent Lennox thriller, possibly the best yet.. The 5th book in the series, this times sees Lennox investigating the suspicious death of a friend and colleague. This story moves along really well. Highly recommended. 4.5 Stars.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I know this is the last in the Lennox series, sadly. Out with a bang though as Lennox and his associates deal with one of the worst types of crime. It’s gonna get messy! Another exciting, gripping tale from Craig Russel. Sad to say goodbye to Lennox.

[Alasdair Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lennox, great character

I had read the first four books a number of years ago, and have just read this one. Outstanding, twists and turns, good characters, interesting plot, set in Glasgow, even very some local history.


Would recommend this to anyone to read.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable addition to the Lennox cannon.