Book: The Good Girl by Sinclair Macleod

Insurance investigator turned private detective Craig Campbell returns in Sinclair Macleod’s sequel to The Reluctant Detective.

This time out Campbell takes on the case of a missing girl in St. Andrews, a Scottish town famous for its University and golf course which attracts visitors from all over.

The girl in question is a farm worker from Poland who came to Scotland so that she could help support the family back home. Her disappearance is reported by a fellow worker who is gravely concerned.

The investigation leads Campbell from the migrant worker community to the student body of the town and then into the world of escorts and prostitution.

Throw in a brilliant sub-plot with Craig’s feisty Mother looking into the discovery of a dead baby and you have all the ingredients of an excellent thriller that manages to retain a light-hearted tone thanks to Campbell’s humorous outlook.

Before picking this up I’d recommend reading the first in the series as there are several references to past events. In any case I always find that any book in a series is more enjoyable if you know the characters history.

The Good Girl is another brilliant example of the current Scottish crime fiction scene.

Ric's Rating: Highly Recommended

Book: Birthdays For The Dead by Stuart MacBride

Detective Ash Henderson has a secret. Everyone thinks his daughter ran away years ago but he knows different, because he has the pictures. Ash’s daughter was taken by the notorious serial killer known as The Birthday Boy but he can’t tell anyone or he’ll be taken off the case.

When victims are found Ash must work with the eccentric psychologist Dr MacDonald as she attempts to build a profile of the man they are tracking down.

In this novel Stuart MacBride takes a break from his successful Logan McRae series but manages to retain his trademark humour amongst some very grisly goings on.

As well as finding the killer Ash has the local gangsters to contend with but as a former bare-knuckle fighter he’s not one to back down from a confrontation. This set-up makes for some fantastic scenes. Mr Pain paying Ash a visit and a fabricated lead which ends in big trouble provide added drama to an already enthralling tale.

Some parts of the story’s climax are pretty predictable but that doesn’t detract from what is another superior crime fiction book from one of Scotland’s top authors.

Ric’s Rating: Highly Recommended.    

Book: The Necessary Death Of Lewis Winter by Malcolm MacKay

In the first part of a planned trilogy we meet gunman for hire Calum MacLean who is asked by shady underworld figures to eliminate an up-and-coming drug dealer before he becomes more powerful.

The interesting thing is that the intended victim, Lewis Winter, has only manoeuvred himself into this position to appease his money-hungry young girlfriend, Zara.

Winter becomes quite the pitiful character and you soon begin to hope that he’ll escape his fate.

Will Calum execute Winter? What will the consequences be for those involved?

This is the second book in a row I have read that has been set in Glasgow (my home city) and it’s another cracker. All the characters have many layers. There are big-time villains, corrupt cops, innocents caught up in events and a scheming temptress. All of whom add to the tale.

The satisfying ending also wisely leaves the reader wanting more. A brilliant debut, bring on the second instalment.

Ric’s Rating: Highly Recommended.     

Film: Brave

A young Princess defies her Mother’s wishes with disastrous results in the latest beautifully animated tale from Pixar.

The Queen has invited young men from across the land (an atmospheric medieval Scotland) to compete for her daughter’s hand but Princess Merida is having none of it. Determined to avoid the marriage she sets out on a journey that will not only change her own fate but that of her family and country.

The voice cast features Kelly MacDonald, Billy Connolly and Kevin McKidd with Connolly as the stand-out in his portrayal of the passionate but clumsy King.

This isn’t anywhere near the genius of Toy Story and it does get a bit too silly but the wonderful setting and colourful characters make this a nice easy viewing experience for parents and kids although some darker scenes may not be appropriate for younger children.

Brave is in UK cinemas now.

Ric’s Rating: Good.      

Film: The Angels' Share

A group of low level criminals embark on their sentence of “community payback” in this Glasgow comedy from veteran director Ken Loach.

Robbie (Paul Brannigan) is a new Dad and desperate to leave his troubled past behind but circumstances and rivals often drag him back into criminal activity. While carrying out his community payback the group foreman (John Henshaw) introduces Robbie to whisky and he quickly learns of a very valuable cask that’s about to be sold. With the help of his friends he sets out to acquire some of the whisky in an attempt to make some quick money.

The first quarter of the film has the typical depressing feel of many films set in Glasgow but thankfully the tone shifts and we are treated to a hilarious caper comedy. Writer Paul Laverty has perfectly captured the language used by many in the city to hilarious effect but it’s strictly for those not easily offended.

Début actor Paul Brannigan is fantastic in the leading role, he handles the serious side of the character of Robbie perfectly and also excels when the laughs kick in. Excellent support comes from John Henshaw and the rest of the cast are brilliant too.

Sadly the films strength may also be its weakness. It is such a very Scottish tale that it might not travel well. That being said this is undoubtedly the best Scottish comedy since Gregory’s Girl and bears many similarities to that films predecessor, That Sinking Feeling.

The Angel’s Share is in UK cinemas now.

Ric’s Rating: Essential.    

Reviews News: Blood Tears by Michael J Malone

Just a quick reminder that the fantastic Blood Tears by Michael J Malone is available now.

Here is a taster:

A body is discovered: the terrible mutilations spell out the wounds of the stigmata. For Glasgow DI Ray McBain the killings are strangely familiar.....and then the dreams begin.

And here is a quote from my review:

"features the controversial issue of child abuse within the Catholic Church but skilfully manages to avoid over-burdening the reader with a sense of gloom.........entertaining throughout and my home city is thankfully represented positively."

Click on the Michael Malone tab at the bottom of this post to read the full review and check out the author's blog, May Contain Nuts, via the link in the "visit these places" section on this page for details of the launch and loads of other cool stuff.

Film: Tyrannosaur

Renowned Scottish actor and director Peter Mullan takes the leading role in this downbeat drama which is the directorial debut of Paddy Considine, star of the brilliant Dead Man’s Shoes.

Mullan is Joseph, an abusive brutish drunk of a man who, through shared misery, befriends local charity shop worker Hannah (Olivia Colman).

Mullan and Colman are fantastic in their portrayals of a lonely man with nothing left to live for and an outwardly respectable woman who hides an alcohol problem and an abusive husband.

At times this is a difficult watch. I almost switched off after the sickening (and needless) opening scene but Mullan makes for compulsive viewing so I persevered and was rewarded with a film that demonstrates the remarkable acting skill of the two leads and heralds the arrival of Considine as a fine director.

Unfortunately the film drags the viewer into the constant depressing atmosphere shown and the lack of uplifting moments mean that as a whole, it fails to entertain.

Powerful and compelling but ultimately just too miserable.

Tyrannosaur is available on DVD now.

Ric’s Rating: Dodgy

Book: Blood Tears by Michael J Malone

Glasgow Detective Ray McBain discovers a link to his own past while investigating the murder of a retired caretaker. Determined to catch the killer he keeps his own connection to the victim a secret. Unfortunately superior officers are soon made aware of this and the man doing the investigating finds himself locked up for the murder. Desperate to prove his innocence, McBain escapes and turns to an old friend on the opposite side of the law for help.

McBain is a fascinating character, haunted by a harsh upbringing and latent memories, he has risen to the top of his chosen profession, only to see the accolades of many successes slip away. But is he entirely innocent?
There is an eclectic supporting cast which includes career criminals, conflicted cops, and an old shrew of a Nun, all of whom help or hinder McBain in his quest.

Michael J Malone’s debut crime thriller features the controversial issue of child abuse within the Catholic Church but skilfully manages to avoid over-burdening the reader with a sense of gloom. The energetic pace helps the tale remain entertaining throughout and my home city is thankfully represented positively. The thoughtful descriptions of it’s sprawling Necropolis being a highlight.

A cool new voice in the increasingly popular Scottish crime fiction genre, Malone deserves a place alongside the likes of Stuart MacBride, Alex Grey and Ian Rankin.

Blood Tears is due for release in June 2012 from Five Leaves Publishing and you can visit Michael’s blog, May Contain Nuts, via the link in the “Visit These Places” section on this page.

Ric’s Rating: 82%

Film: A Lonely Place to Die

A group of climbers venture into the beautiful Highlands of Scotland (ok, I’m biased) to tackle some treacherous peaks. Their trip soon becomes a race for survival upon the alarming discovery of a captive girl.

Gripping from the vertigo inducing opening scene, this fine British film moves along at a cracking pace as the reluctant rescuers attempt to outrun the warring factions in pursuit of the girl.

Melissa George (Triangle, The Amityville Horror) heads the cast which features lots of familiar faces from UK and Scottish television, all of whom perform well and look very comfortable in what must be a first for many of them.

The finale lives up to the rest of the film when it comes to tension and entertainment but it takes place during a rather bizarre street carnival more akin to the streets of Rio or New Orleans than Inverness.

Anyone who enjoyed the likes of Vertical Limit and the Sidney Poitier mountain movie Deadly Pursuit will love it and it’s another plus for British film.

Ric’s Rating: 73%

Book: Smokeheads by Doug Johnstone

“Four friends. One weekend. Gallons of whisky. What could go wrong?”

Well, after a promising start almost everything goes wrong for both the characters involved and the reader in this tale of misadventure in the Highlands.

Four thirty-something friends head off on a lads weekend away to the Scottish island of Islay (pronounced Eye-La). Their itinerary includes trips to the island’s famous whisky distilleries and one of them even has plans to start up a whisky business but he needs the help of his wealthy friend to get it off the ground.

Johnstone creates a fantastic atmosphere of camaraderie amongst the gang as they meet various locals with mixed results but when an aggressive bully suddenly becomes a cold blooded killer it’s a step too far.

The trip goes from bad to worse and what was a feel good story becomes a far-fetched fight for survival that might have worked had the first half of the book not been so jovial.
Just like the characters involved I was loving it to begin with (this book made me want to: 1. Drink whisky 2. Visit Islay 3. Go on a lads weekend away) but towards the end I couldn’t get out of there quick enough.

The book has a wonderful setting (although I am biased) and good characters but the whole thing would have worked better as a kind of...The Hangover In The Highlands instead of the Dreary Deliverance it became.

Ric’s Rating: 58%

Ric Recommends: Outcast

Trailer for the surprisingly good Scottish horror film Outcast.

Full review in previous post.

DVD: Outcast

When Mary (Kate Dickie) and her teenage son Fergal (Niall Bruton) move into their new tower block apartment the first thing that Mary does is daub strange protection symbols on the walls.

Who or what do they need protection from?

Feargal attempts to lead a normal life despite his Mother’s misgivings and begins a relationship with his neighbour Petronella (Hanna Stanbridge).

Meanwhile two mysterious Irish travellers (James Nesbitt and Ciaran McMenamin) arrive in Edinburgh to embark on a “hunt” and when people start to disappear it isn’t clear who or what is the culprit.

This fine atmospheric British horror film has unfairly flown under the radar. It’s a slick production with fine performances from everyone I’ve mentioned.

Full of mysticism and folklore it’s a cut above the average horror movie and although the finale is a little silly it’s an excellent British horror film that deserves to find an audience.

Writer / director Colm McCarthy has done wonders here and shown that not all films made in Scotland have to be depressing.

Recommended for horror fans who like myth and legend with their gore.

Ric's Rating: 79%

Film: NEDS

Scottish actor and director Peter Mullan casts a host of unknowns in this all too familiar story of a promising youngster being led astray.

The story is set in the Glasgow of 1972 where flared trousers and oversized shirt collars go hand in hand with the culture of drinking and gang violence.

I'd much prefer to see my home city portrayed on screen in a positive light. I can only think of one film, Late Night Shopping, which has done so.

In this film we have bored teenagers resorting to stabbing each other with little or no reason for their behaviour and absolutely no remorse, even from the main character.

This may present itself as a coming-of-age / redemption story but it's a pretty depressing and ugly film that depicts violence in a way not dissimilar to the recent I Spit on Your Grave remake (see review elsewhere here).

Some of the young cast give good performances but I have to wonder how much of a stretch it is for them as Mullan claims to have picked them from the type of streets shown in the film.

This will gain cult following from the very people it condemns and has already received rave reviews from some critics eager to show an understanding of disaffected youth.

Watchable and sometimes compelling but too often disheartening, this is more suited to tv than cinema and could potentially encourage impressionable viewers into the lifestyle shown.

Ric's Rating: 45%