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1979

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1979

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Katie Leung
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About this listen

The first in a thrilling new series from the queen of crime and an instant Sunday Times best seller narrated by acclaimed Scottish actress and Harry Potter star Katie Leung.

The shadows hide a deadly story....

1979. It is the winter of discontent, and reporter Allie Burns is chasing her first big scoop. There are few women in the newsroom, and she needs something explosive for the boys' club to take her seriously. Soon Allie and fellow journalist Danny Sullivan are exposing the criminal underbelly of respectable Scotland. They risk making powerful enemies - and Allie won't stop there. When she discovers a home-grown terrorist threat, Allie comes up with a plan to infiltrate the group and make her name. But she's a woman in a man's world...and putting a foot wrong could be fatal.

©2021 Val McDermid (P)2021 W F Howe Crime Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Psychological Thriller Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Exciting Suspense

Critic Reviews

“McDermid is at her considerable best.” (Guardian)

"No one can plot or tell a story like she can." (Daily Express)

"One of today's most accomplished crime writers." (Literary Review)

"'As good a psychological thriller as it is possible to get." (Sunday Express)
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How is this not a winning recipe: Val McDermid, female lead, Scottish reader, and the year 1979!?!?

i am missing Karen Pirrie so was keen to give this ago as soon as it came out -- but I'm struggling. Keep drifting off and can't get interested in the characters.

i think it may have a lot to do with the reader who makes the whole experience a bit dreary. Her voice is quite pleasant but the actual reading is a bit lacklustre -- and loses focus every time she leaves those long pauses. i find myself wondering what she's doing (grabbing a drink?) which disrupts the flow in a strange way.

Surprisingly dreary...

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Val McDermid is so good at crime drama. This story was interesting but not one of my favourites.

Not a bad read

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Fabulous read. Or listen, actually. Great author,great story. Great narrator too - apart from the Belfast accent, but who can do that, apart from a local? Nah overall- just fab.

1979. Just been published

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I useless really enjoy Val's books. found this a bit long and disappointing Storyline have heard better. narration ok

Disappointing

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loved this historical crime novel. mcDermid knows crime but her understanding of period and place is often under rated. this book, set at a time of great civil unrest across the UK, focuses on the Scottish efforts of independence. like all Mcdermid's best books, this one excels because it has a complex but accessible storyline, intriguing characters and engaging setting. not as good as my all time favourite McDermid book Skeleton Road, 1979 is certainly worth a read and a spot in your Val Mcdermid collection.

great story with fantastic historical detail and an intriguing plot

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This was such a great book. It's not until you read Val McDermid's wonderful books again after a long hiatus that you realize just how bloody good she is. Roll on the next one please Val 🤞

So good

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Whenever it got interesting and tense the resolution was rushed. The build up at the end was solved in a very perfunctory and unsatisfying way

Disappointing rushed ending

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Brilliant plot made even better by Katie Leung’s performance. The sense of place and time are strong, characters captivating.

Compelling listening

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The politics of Scotland in 1979; form a backdrop to this story of crime investigation and murder. Investigations complicated by the homophobia and anti-gay laws of the time, which are well integrated without preaching. The narration is fantastic

Great story, characters and sense of place.

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Really enjoyed the narration by Katie Leung!

Val has done another good job and it wasn’t too predictable.

Great story, highly recommend.

Nicola, Sth Australia

Loved this!

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