Bobby Marsh Will Live Forever by Alan Parks
Harry McCoy investigates the suspicious overdose of a rock legend and the disappearance of a young girl in this gripping thriller
WHO IS TO BLAME WHEN NO ONE IS INNOCENT?
There’s a heatwave in Glasgow and the drugs trade is booming. The whole force is searching for missing thirteen-year-old Alice Kelly. All except Harry McCoy, who has been taken off the case after a run-in with the boss, and is instead sent alone to investigate the death of rock-star Bobby March, who has just overdosed in the Royal Stuart hotel.
The papers want blood. The force wants results. McCoy has a hunch. But does he have enough time?
About the author.
Alan Parks has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. His debut novel Bloody January was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He lives and works in Glasgow.
Review
‘Bobby March Will Live Forever’ cements Alan Parks place as one of the best in the crime fiction genre. The Harry McCoy series is brilliant - it’s gritty, realistic, superbly plotted and paints a comprehensive picture of Glasgow in the 1970’s. This is the third outing for McCoy but you can definitely read this as a stand alone. Although, be warned as it will leave you wanting more!
In this outing we see Harry sidelined from the main action as his boss has a blatant hatred for him! A little girl, Alice, has gone missing but rather than utilise Harry’s expertise he has him looking into a series of robberies. However, this means he picks up the call of a dead body being found in a hotel room and it turns out to be Bobby Marsh, a local lad turned rock star. All this is happening whilst there is a heatwave in Glasgow! Really sun in Glasgae - aye right!
Now I love a book set in my home city of Glasgow and this one was a belter! It’s clear that Alan is from and loves Glasgow, as the city shines through as a character of its own. I wasn’t born when this book was set but yet I still feel as if I was. I have had so many stories from my mum about how she stotted down Byres Road in her flares in the 70s that I felt I was right there in the action of the book! Yes, Glasgow has a grimy criminal underbelly, poverty and desperation but it’s people are kind and joyful and this was portrayed so well!
I love how confused of a character Harry is in this series. He hates dirty cops who receive their backhanders on a Friday but yet is best friends with a gangster and actively plots with him on criminal activities. At some point these two parts of Harry are going to have to come crashing together and I can’t wait to read about the fallout! I also loved how the supporting characters are a reflection of this tension in Harry - Cooper the gangster, Wattie the personification of kindness, Murray the cop and mentor and Iris the person who teaches him to not judge people by their first impressions. I really can’t wait to see how this is resolved.
I really don’t have any hesitations in recommending this book / series to you all - this was a 5⭐️ read for me! Also, keep your eyes peeled as I will be reviewing the newest in the series very soon!
