1989

1989, by reigning queen of UK crime Val McDermid, is a sequel to her change-of-pace 1979 , the memorable beginning to a quintet of books set in a Glaswegian tabloid office . . . This is every bit as accomplished as its predecessor, with the same crisp sense of an increasingly distant era * Financial Times *
One of Britain's most successful crime novelists . . . The novel evokes glorious nostalgia for those who recall mobile phones like house bricks and laptops the size of suitcases * Sunday Times *
A book of many parts . . . [McDermid is] subverting the crime genre to her own ends. How the remaining three volumes will turn out is anyone's guess * The Times *
There is a great deal to enjoy in this novel . . . McDermid remains a masterly setter of a scene and developer of a storyline. There is an agreeable warmth to much of the book, and the evocation of the world of journalism and politics of the late 20th century is convincing . . . [A book] that will be deeply enjoyed * Scotsman *
Studded with a wealth of period detail . . . It whips along like bushfire * Herald *
McDermid convincingly recreates the grim era of AIDS, Lockerbie and Hillsborough while providing several juicy mysteries for the reader to gnaw on * Daily Mirror *
Praise for 1979 * - *
The Queen of Crime has done it again . . . Irresistible -- Patricia Cornwell
McDermid is at her considerable best here * Guardian *
A supremo of the genre at the height of her powers . . . An unmissable new series -- Peter James
Allie is a fabulous character, I'll go wherever she takes me and I'm dying to see what she does next -- Marian Keyes
McDermid can do edge-of-seat suspense better than most novelists . . . An excellent opener to what promises to be an outstanding series * Spectator *
A tour-de-force . . . The Queen of Crime has delivered another masterpiece -- David Baldacci
Packed full of Val McDermid's trademark brilliance, 1979 is a thrilling snapshot of a fascinating era -- Jane Harper
While "gripping" is an adjective over-used in book reviews, it's a fitting description of a sensational novel. A surefire bestseller from one of Britain's most accomplished writers * Sunday Express *
A nail-biting new series * Observer *
Allie Burns is off to a flying start, and well worth following down the decades * Scotsman *
A new series from Val McDermid promises to be an event - and 1979 delivers . . . A marvellous new character to follow through the years to come -- Mick Herron