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Cuckoo Plot
A thriller. The sectarian divide that permeated the west of Scotland in the 60's and 70's, which affect the Irish community in Glasgow. It sparked off over a century of violence and prejudice. It involves the passionate affair between Dillon and Isabel and the cruelty played out on a cuckolded husband.
242 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
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July 9, 2018
Irishman, James Sullivan, opened a pub in what was originally a highly industrialised part of Glasgow. He called it the ‘Derry Bar’ to reflect his hometown in Ireland. The thriving bar was frequented by workmen from the factories and foundries. In its industrial zenith, the workforce clientele afforded James Sullivan a good standard of living. But when the industries closed and the workers moved away, it had a huge impact on the business. One night, when the takings were particularly down, James Sullivan realised that unless some changes were made it was no longer viable to keep the Derry Bar running. He decided to hand the bar over to his son Peter and told him of a plan, which would possibly make their bar a popular venue for Irish customers. It was to give the bar an Irish theme and sell them ‘Irishness’, because, hitherto, its name only suggested a link with Ireland.
And so the bar underwent a diversification: The walls were repainted orange, white and green to replicate the Irish flag; the walls were adorned with posters reflecting Ireland; Irish drinks were sold; Irish newspapers were left on the bar and links were forged with a Celtic football club, whose grounds were conveniently close by. Peter employed staff with Irish names and Irish accents.
The Derry Arms quickly became recognised and attracted Irish football supporters and people from Irish Diaspora communities. When a man sang an Irish song one night, it began regular song nights, which the customers enjoyed. It once again became a thriving business.
However, being a blatantly Irish bar, there was trouble on the horizon! One night, a man with a Belfast accent approached Peter and requested that he financially assist the efforts of the people who were willing to fight and die for the cause in Ireland by allowing collections amongst his customers. Peter refused unequivocally. But a frightening chain of events caused him to capitulate and acquiesce to the fund-raising that the Irish man, whom he now knew as John Dillon, wanted. However, eventually Dillon wasn’t content with only the money submitted voluntarily; he demanded that if the takings were below one hundred pounds that Peter was to pay the shortfall himself. Under threat, Peter was trapped in a quagmire and had inadvertently become involved with the sectarian divide. Unknown to Peter, Dillon wasn’t only fleecing him of money; he was also having an affair with his wife - and furthermore, Dillon wasn’t working for the organisation he implied.
Peter wanted to go to Ireland because he needed to know how his money was being spent and despite warnings that he would endanger his life in doing so, he went ahead. This triggered another chain of events with unimaginable ramifications.
The story is one of the best thrillers I’ve read; frighteningly chilling, because the violence has echoes of reality; it’s truly a page turner.
And so the bar underwent a diversification: The walls were repainted orange, white and green to replicate the Irish flag; the walls were adorned with posters reflecting Ireland; Irish drinks were sold; Irish newspapers were left on the bar and links were forged with a Celtic football club, whose grounds were conveniently close by. Peter employed staff with Irish names and Irish accents.
The Derry Arms quickly became recognised and attracted Irish football supporters and people from Irish Diaspora communities. When a man sang an Irish song one night, it began regular song nights, which the customers enjoyed. It once again became a thriving business.
However, being a blatantly Irish bar, there was trouble on the horizon! One night, a man with a Belfast accent approached Peter and requested that he financially assist the efforts of the people who were willing to fight and die for the cause in Ireland by allowing collections amongst his customers. Peter refused unequivocally. But a frightening chain of events caused him to capitulate and acquiesce to the fund-raising that the Irish man, whom he now knew as John Dillon, wanted. However, eventually Dillon wasn’t content with only the money submitted voluntarily; he demanded that if the takings were below one hundred pounds that Peter was to pay the shortfall himself. Under threat, Peter was trapped in a quagmire and had inadvertently become involved with the sectarian divide. Unknown to Peter, Dillon wasn’t only fleecing him of money; he was also having an affair with his wife - and furthermore, Dillon wasn’t working for the organisation he implied.
Peter wanted to go to Ireland because he needed to know how his money was being spent and despite warnings that he would endanger his life in doing so, he went ahead. This triggered another chain of events with unimaginable ramifications.
The story is one of the best thrillers I’ve read; frighteningly chilling, because the violence has echoes of reality; it’s truly a page turner.
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