Edge of the Grave, Robbie Morrison
Edge of the Grave, Robbie Morrison
List: $22.50 | Sale: $15.75
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Edge of the Grave
A Jimmy Dreghorn Mystery

Author: Robbie Morrison

Narrator: Angus King

Unabridged: 13 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/24/2023


Synopsis

Two detectives hunt a killer amidst the lawless streets and high society of 1930’s Glasgow in this “brawling series debut” (The New York Times Book Review) that “serves up a delicious slice of gangster noir” (Adrian McKinty)—inspired by the true story of the Scottish Untouchables.

“A Glaswegian version of Peaky Blinders, with razor gangs brawling in the street and festering family secrets . . . a dark and powerful story.”―Sunday Times

Glasgow, 1932. When the son-in-law of one of the city’s wealthiest shipbuilders is found floating in the River Clyde with his throat cut, it falls to Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn to lead the murder case–despite sharing a troubled history with the victim’s widow.

From the flying fists and flashing blades of Glasgow’s gangland underworld to the backstabbing upper echelons of government and big business, Dreghorn and his partner, “Bonnie” Archie McDaid, will have to dig deep into Glasgow society to find out who wanted the man dead and why.

All the while, a sadistic murderer stalks the post-war city, leaving a trail of dead bodies in their wake. As the case deepens, Dreghorn realizes that the answers may lie in his old ties with the victim’s family—and the horrors he saw in the Great War.

Edge of the Grave is historical noir at its very best—a gripping mystery that truly transports the reader to the lawless streets and high society of 1930s Glasgow and brings a teeming, chaotic city irresistibly to life.

Reviews

Goodreads review by David

This is a well constructed story set in 1932 Glasgow, with wonderful historic bites and a fascinating social commentary which evokes a dangerous and violent city. The depressing aspect of sectarianism continually bubbles away. A compelling read with gallus humour throughout.......more

Edge of the Grave is the first instalment in a gritty, violent and atmospheric historical crime series, featuring vividly portrayed and memorable Detective Inspector James Dreghorn. It's 1932 in Depression-era Glasgow and the political and social climate is dire due to depleted resources courtesy of......more

Goodreads review by John

A fantastic debut from Robbie Morrison featuring two excellent central characters as they fight crime and their own demons, in 1930's Glasgow. Bleak and gritty, The Edge of The Grave gives the reader an unflinching portrayal of the city : the poverty, sectarianism,crime,corruption, and violence of t......more


Quotes

“Those looking for a grittier mystery should pick up Edge of the Grave, Robbie Morrison’s brawling series debut. Glasgow a century ago was a brutally violent city starkly divided between the haves and the have-nots; in the course of their police work, Dreghorn and McDaid dodge blades, fists, bottles, even cauldrons of boiling soup. Dreghorn . . . is put through his paces before [the novel] reaches the last page, but never fear—the detective survives for the second book.”New York Times Book Review

“For readers who are fans of thrilling, well-choreographed violence. First-rate . . . Perhaps the best debut novel I have read this year.”BookPage, starred review

“Terrific . . . a historical tour de force.”The Globe and Mail

“Brilliant.”The Times

“A magnificent, enthralling portrait of a city and the men and women who live and die in it . . . I can’t wait to spend some more time with Dreghorn and McDaid.”—Mark Billingham, bestselling author of the Tom Thorne series

“A hugely impressive debut.”Evening Standard