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Book Cover for: The Heretic, Liam McIlvanney

The Heretic

Liam McIlvanney

FINALIST FOR THE 2022 MCILVANNEY PRIZE


Set in 1976, seven years after the murders recounted in Liam McIlvanney's breakout novel, The Quaker, this new Glasgow noir novel is a standalone mystery featuring serial character, Detective Duncan McCormack.


McCormack has returned to Glasgow after a stint with the Metropolitan Police in London. The reason for his return is left a lurking mystery throughout. He is investigating a series of murders that seem at first to be the result of random bouts of violence among Glasgow's poor and destitute. McCormack, however, has insight into Glasgow's underground that many of his colleagues don't. He has a secret of his own that he guards carefully but that takes him places and introduces him to people that prove essential to his investigations.


Mcilvanney's The Quaker was named the Scottish Crime Fiction Book of the Year and a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. The Guardian called it "a solidly crafted and satisfying detective story." McIlvanney is known for his well crafted plots, his deep characterization, and his stylish prose. The Heretic is no exception.

Book Details

  • Publisher: World Noir
  • Publish Date: Mar 8th, 2022
  • Pages: 400
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.10in - 5.30in - 1.50in - 1.00lb
  • EAN: 9781609457419
  • Categories: • Mystery & Detective - International Crime & Mystery

About the Author

McIlvanney, Liam: -

Liam McIlvanney's first book, Burns the Radical, won the Saltire First Book Award. He is also the author of two previous novels, All the Colors of the Town and Where the Dead Men Go, which won the 2014 Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. He is a regular contributor to numerous publications, including the London Review of Books, the Times Literary Supplement, and the Guardian. He is Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He lives in Dunedin with his wife and four sons.

Praise for this book

Praise for Liam McIlvanney

"Every aspect of The Quaker is superb." --Washington Post

"A new master of tartan noir." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"McIlvanney composes beautiful prose about ugly things."--The New York Times Book Review

"A beautifully crafted police procedural." --Seattle Review of Books

"A Dickensian crime novel."--Mystery Matters

"Intricately plotted, resourceful in its characterization, and gorgeously written."--Toronto Star

"[Liam McIlvanney] shows a deft touch for character and setting throughout this absorbing, atmospheric read."--Crime Watch

"Skilfully dovetailed ... atmospheric ... a solidly crafted and satisfying detective story." --The Guardian