Danger lurks everywhere for the Blood Brothers on the Gallowburn estate. The scheme, as it is referred to, is rough, poverty-stricken and has spread to cover a huge area, but essentially it contains good people who still know what it is like to live in a community and look out for their neighbours. However, no one goes to the police – they rely on the Blood Brothers instead to sort out their problems. Living on the north side of the estate, Jamie Gray and his three friends Gary, Digger and Logan form a gang called the Blood Brothers and have been together since their school days. In their early twenties they have grown up fast, particularly since falling under the employ of the notorious Toni McVay, aka the Queen of Glasgow and head one of the most feared families in Scotland, anxious to please her and keep their eyeballs intact. The Brothers are all about protecting their own and hanging on to their territory and their sworn enemies are the Lawson gang from the south side. With the psychotic Craig Lawson now in Barlinnie for murdering Cameron Abernethy’s accountant, younger brother John is less than up to the job and Craig relies on his cousin Nick for help on the outside. Also in the same prison is Cameron, set up by his daughter Allegra and convicted for her murder. Only Jamie, Jackie and the private investigator Gavin Mullen know that she is still alive living under an alias in Europe. Cameron is convinced that Allegra is alive and plots with Craig to bring about Jamie’s downfall by setting an investigator on her trail. Meanwhile on the Gallowburn, the Gordon family from Maryhill pose a threat to the Brothers as they are looking to target Toni’s business there. With the Gordons constantly feuding with their arch rivals the Thompsons from Possilpark, both of these families know only one of them can take over the estate and standing in their way are the Brothers who will really need to rally their troops and step up their game to protect their turf. Just who can be trusted? Will Jamie be able to keep everyone safe from harm? Will Jackie and Mullen ever be reunited? Just who will come out victorious in the second Battle of Gallowburn?
I really love this series!! Most of the brilliant characters from books one and two are still there, including my absolute favourite, the psychotic ice-cream man Ephraim, ferocious weapon wielding pub landlady Deirdre and husband Eric, the superb Reverend Valerie Brown who in the previous book actually turned out to be a McVay herself and of course Jamie’s fiercely protective and loyal mother Jackie. There is masses of thrilling action in this excellent story and I have a great affection for the boys and their families who, with their obvious loyalty and humorous banter, have really grown me in the three books so far. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next for them! 5*