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The Heretic

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( 1,263 ratings, 216 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Heretic by Liam McIlvanney is a gripping crime thriller set in 1970s Glasgow. Detective Duncan McCormack is tasked with uncovering a complex conspiracy involving corruption, betrayal, and sectarian tensions within the city. With a gritty atmosphere and intricate plot, the story unravels through McCormack’s relentless pursuit of justice, navigating the dangerous underworld and political intrigue.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this gripping crime and thriller novel if you appreciate intricate plots set in Glasgow, filled with suspense and complex characters. The story offers a deep dive into investigative complexities, with a protagonist balancing personal struggles and professional challenges while encountering corruption and danger. Fans of moody atmospheres and well-crafted mysteries will find this an engaging read.

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The Heretic

From the award-winning author comes a much-anticipated sequel to the Scottish Crime Book of the Year The Quaker

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the award-winning author comes a much-anticipated sequel to the Scottish Crime Book of the Year, The Quaker

Glasgow 1975

A deadly fire
An arson attack on a Glasgow warehouse causes the deaths of a young mother and child. Police suspect it’s the latest act in a brutal gang warfare that’s tearing the city apart – one that DI Duncan McCormack has been tasked with stopping.

A brutal murder
Five years ago, he was walking on water as the cop who tracked down a notorious serial killer. But he made powerful enemies, and when a mutilated body is found in a Tradeston slum, McCormack is assigned a case that no one wants. The dead man is wearing a masonic ring, and Duncan realises the victim is not the down-and-out his boss had first assumed.

A catastrophic explosion
As McCormack looks into both crimes, the investigations are disrupted by a shocking event. A bomb rips through a pub packed with people – and a cop is killed in the blast. The cases are stacking up, and with one of his own unit now dead, McCormack is in the firing line.

But he’s starting to see a thread – one that connects all three attacks…

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Heretic by Liam McIlvanney is praised for its gripping, atmospheric narrative and expertly crafted characters. Critics highlight the novel's complex plot and vivid portrayal of a gritty cityscape, labelling it a standout example of Tartan Noir. The book is noted for its suspenseful storyline and the compelling figure of DI Duncan McCormack, with many reviewers commending McIlvanney's writing craftsmanship and evocative depiction of Glasgow.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008259990

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 16 February 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: HarperCollins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 350g

Pages: 528

About the Author

Liam McIlvanney was born in Scotland and studied at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford. He has written for numerous publications, including the London Review of Books, the Times Literary Supplement and the Guardian. His debut, Burns the Radical, won the Saltire First Book Award, and his most recent book, Where the Dead Men Go, won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. He is Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He lives in Dunedin with his wife and four sons.

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