I have had a rocky relationship with Brookmyre's novels; I absolutely adored them for a long time and then suddenly I came across a few that were sub par and it kind of knocked my confidence in reading the next novel of his. Not knowing if it would be a hit or miss, when before it was always a slam dunk. I found this novel though, and I had accidentally bought the second book in this series, and so I had to buy the first, the stakes were high! I needn't have worried because I really enjoyed this one.

Something that really makes me wary in a novel is a male author writing from the point of view of a female character. There are some really excellent male writers who write such poor female characters that it makes you question whether they have actually met a woman in their lives. I didn't have to worry here though because the two female protagonists were very well, but very differently, written, and I felt in safe hands, characterisation-wise.

I cared less about the plot than I did the characters, I'll be honest. I'm not a big fan of gangsters of any kind, I find it all a bit boring, so I couldn't imagine that them being Scottish would make any difference. It didn't really, but luckily there were other aspects of the plot for me to enjoy. I liked the police procedural aspect and the police office politics, and I also found myself laughing out loud at certain lines which is fairly uncommon for me.

So good news, I liked it, and due to my error I already have the next book in the series. Hurrah!