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moragscot's review
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's funny, gritty without being ridiculously offensive, characterisations are spot on, well paced and plotted. Looking forward to the next in the series.
cruicky86's review
5.0
Loved it. Good amount of humour, fast paced & plenty of twists & turns. I'll probably head straight onto the 2nd book in the Sam Ireland series now
bjt1977's review against another edition
3.0
I'm torn on this one. I liked the story, the characters, and the pace. But...i found myself confused often as to who's POV I was currently experiencing. It made moments jarring and ruined it for me a bit.
pshotts's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
persephonexxvi's review against another edition
4.0
I really wish I could give this five stars. It was engaging and fast-paced. And as someone who has adopted Glasgow as one of my home towns (I'm English from Yorkshire originally) I loved all the local references. But the ending really let it down. The fate of some characters is just excused by a neat wrapping up in a bow. It felt rushed. Then the last paragraph or two is really abrupt. I just felt like there was more to tell and the ending reads like it needed to be dealt with quickly by any means.
Other than that slight criticism it was a very good read. I'll definitely look out for more from this author.
Other than that slight criticism it was a very good read. I'll definitely look out for more from this author.
petra_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lot of fun! Totally unpredictable. Full of black humor, and the Glaswegian setting is masterfully captured. Excellent audiobook narration; though may be a little difficult to follow if you are not used to Scottish vernacular. Includes cursing and some graphic violence. Overall: original, fast paced, twisted and a bit quirky.
ianayris's review against another edition
5.0
Jay Stringer is one of those writers who you know is in full control of every word he writes as soon as you begin reading. I mean, just read that blurb again. Tight as a hangman's noose. Not a word more, not a word less.
Ways to Die in Glasgow is told from a predominantly multiple first person point of view, alternating at regular intervals. It is hard enough for a writer to pull off one convincing first person voice, let alone several. It is testament to Stringer's ability that he manages it with such ease, the female characters being just as convincing as the male characters.
The central character, the one that drives the narrative is Sam. Sam is a female PI who, after taking on the job of finding Rab, very quickly finds herself immersed in the blood and darkness and sharp-edged insanity of Glasgow's brilliantly drawn murky underbelly.
Mackie - Rab's nephew - he's a lunatic, and DI Lambert, well, he has his own secrets.
As the narrators' stories begin to converge, and all sorts of nefarious characters poke their heads above the slime to find out what's happened to Rab, the pace and the blood and the insanity increase. Yet there is not the slightest hint of confusion as Stringer guides us through the madness with a surety and a humour that never once leads us to suspect he will dump us in some grim Glasgow sidestreet, crying out for an explanation through broken teeth and bleeding gums.
Ways to Die in Glasgow holds nothing back.
And I loved it.
Ways to Die in Glasgow is told from a predominantly multiple first person point of view, alternating at regular intervals. It is hard enough for a writer to pull off one convincing first person voice, let alone several. It is testament to Stringer's ability that he manages it with such ease, the female characters being just as convincing as the male characters.
The central character, the one that drives the narrative is Sam. Sam is a female PI who, after taking on the job of finding Rab, very quickly finds herself immersed in the blood and darkness and sharp-edged insanity of Glasgow's brilliantly drawn murky underbelly.
Mackie - Rab's nephew - he's a lunatic, and DI Lambert, well, he has his own secrets.
As the narrators' stories begin to converge, and all sorts of nefarious characters poke their heads above the slime to find out what's happened to Rab, the pace and the blood and the insanity increase. Yet there is not the slightest hint of confusion as Stringer guides us through the madness with a surety and a humour that never once leads us to suspect he will dump us in some grim Glasgow sidestreet, crying out for an explanation through broken teeth and bleeding gums.
Ways to Die in Glasgow holds nothing back.
And I loved it.
caomhin's review
4.0
For a book with death as a theme and title this is an enjoyable, and dare I say it, fun read.
Unsurprisingly set in Glasgow, we meet Sam, a private investigator, Lambert, a cop, and Mackie... Well read the book to find out about Mackie.
The story follows three protagonists through a couple of days dealing with a host of local villains that involves a lot of blood, a few drinks, plus the obligatory sex and drugs, although no rock 'n' roll and very little swearing (actually I can't remember any but I feel there must have been some).
The humour drives this book. It's dry and at times leans just far enough towards being inappropriate that you might think twice about lending your copy to anyone too sensitive, but in truth it never actually goes to the line let alone crossing it. It's a nice light read, don't expect pages of inner monologue as we delve into the motivations of the characters, this isn't some dark brooding gangster story that's deeper than an ocean - it's more The Sweeney than The Godfather. And it's all the better for it. Stringer delivers a guilty pleasure, it's the kind of book where you don't have to invest in the characters, you can just enjoy the latest situation they basically blunder into.
Ideal to read while travelling if you don't mind people wondering why you're grinning at death.
Unsurprisingly set in Glasgow, we meet Sam, a private investigator, Lambert, a cop, and Mackie... Well read the book to find out about Mackie.
The story follows three protagonists through a couple of days dealing with a host of local villains that involves a lot of blood, a few drinks, plus the obligatory sex and drugs, although no rock 'n' roll and very little swearing (actually I can't remember any but I feel there must have been some).
The humour drives this book. It's dry and at times leans just far enough towards being inappropriate that you might think twice about lending your copy to anyone too sensitive, but in truth it never actually goes to the line let alone crossing it. It's a nice light read, don't expect pages of inner monologue as we delve into the motivations of the characters, this isn't some dark brooding gangster story that's deeper than an ocean - it's more The Sweeney than The Godfather. And it's all the better for it. Stringer delivers a guilty pleasure, it's the kind of book where you don't have to invest in the characters, you can just enjoy the latest situation they basically blunder into.
Ideal to read while travelling if you don't mind people wondering why you're grinning at death.