The April Dead

One of the great Scottish crime writers . . . Whether it be William McIlvanney, Ian Rankin, Denise Mina or Alan Parks, the way they view - and depict - the world gives great pleasure . . . Like the very best crime novels, The April Dead makes you keenly aware of all the pain out there and (almost) alleviates it * * The Times, Book of the Month * * This is Scottish noir at its gritty darkest, the fourth instalment in Detective Harry McCoy's rocky career. Behind his bloody-minded disrespect for his superiors and sardonic wit, McCoy is a tough and instinctive copper who learned his skills on the beat. A cracking read * * Irish Independent * * Brilliant . . . The April Dead should grace the bookshelves of every crime fan * * Sunday Times Crime Club * * The April Dead may be the grisliest McCoy novel yet, but also, with its pace and urgency, the most exciting * * Wall Street Journal * * Dark and gritty . . . Gripping * * Crime Monthly * * Immensely exciting . . . One of the best police thrillers of the last few years * * Morning Star * * Tightly plotted and fast-moving, this well-wrought historical thriller highlights Parks' keen analysis of Scotland's societal traumas, in particular the failure to cope with domestic violence and child abuse. Tartan noir fans won't want to miss this one * * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * * The lean, muscular prose is matched by a deep dive into character and the seamy side of the city . . . A full-bodied immersion into Glasgow's gritty past * * Kirkus Reviews * * Praise for the Harry McCoy series: Fascinating and dangerous . . . Parks has clearly studied the masters of tartan noir but has his own voice. He shows how, among the welter of violence, a spontaneous act of kindness can have just as great an impact * * The Times, Book of the Month * * An old-school cop novel written with wit and economy . . . Think McIlvanney or Get Carter -- IAN RANKIN

Alan Parks worked in the music industry for over twenty years before turning to crime writing. His debut novel Bloody January was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littrature Policire, February's Son was nominated for an Edgar Award and Bobby March Will Live Forever was picked as a The Times Best Book of the Year. The April Dead was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year. He lives and works in Glasgow. The April Dead is the fourth Harry McCoy thriller.