Cast a Cold Eye

 About six months ago, East Coast Don reviewed our first read by Robbie Morrison, Edge of the Grave, and this is the second, Cast a Cold Eye. The books have the same protagonist, Jimmy Dreghorn a Glasgoq police Inspector. The first book was a period piece from 1932 Glasgow, and the second book takes place a year later, 1933 Glasgow. This second story also includes Police Constable Ellen Duncan, as well as a host of other great characters which the author uses to fill out his story. The novel cuts across class esand especially discusses the seeming impossibility of finding any resolution to the Catholic-Protestant biases and resulting violence. While the story does not have exclusively to do with events in Ireland, it does explain the spill over of violence from Ireland into Scotland, societies that had a long history of connection. I think it must be impossible to read this book in 2024 and not immediately associate to the seeming impossibility of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This book also addressed the ongoing misogyny that continues to be an unfinished issue in so many cultures. This is a well written detective novel, a meaningful work of historical fiction. Just as opined by ECD, I’m ready for more of Robbie Morrison.

Edge of the Grave by Robbie Morrison

It’s 1932. Police in Glasgow have some leniency in how they question criminals. A well-timed beating or clubbing can do wonders for recalcitrant suspects. A particularly vicious murder has occurred along the Glasgow docks. And the victim is from a wealthy local family. Detective Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner Archie McDaid head the investigation.

The investigation begins with the victim's family, then his co-workers, then his hobbies (gambling and women) and any connections with a children’s home and what the victim and others connected brought back from the trenches in France.

An interesting and captivating story of Glasgow Noir that stretches across the wide expanse of the postwar Scottish social structure. Shouldn’t take one too long to read because of its length as well as the quality of storytelling. This is Morrison’s first mention by us. I’d expect more.

Thanks for NetGalley for the advance reviewer copy.

ECD