Terrific sequel to the author's first book. Great characters and Glaswegian atmosphere. Well written and compelling

Never having visited Glasgow, I found the locales unique and interesting. But the book also has all the classic traits of a diabolically sinister tale of murder and innocent lives lost. More than once I found my eyes widened at particularly tense moments, and the pace never let up. This is a great book, and it won't be the last of Mr. Park's books I'll read. Highly recommended.

A very gritty, sometimes gruesome tartan noir involving bad people who hire bad people who run off the rails. I found it hard to like the main character, who didn't totally come to life for me - unpredictably kind and sentimental while also being a somewhat self-destructive and renegade. Overall, probably a good 'un for noir fans but pretty unremittingly grim.

'February's Son' is a welcomed addition to the world of crime fiction. It's truly as gritty as it's entertaining. Alan Parks does an excellent job of painting the atmosphere of 1970's Glasgow with his writing. The characters each have foibles, but that works to make the story better. None of them are impossibly good or unbelievably bad. I appreciate that. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to Europa Editions and NetGalley for the advance copy! #AlanParks #NetGalley

February's Son by Alan Marks is the second police procedural involving troubled Glasgow detective Harry McCoy. Harry, who is still drinking too much, as well as other things, now finds himself in a seemingly stable relationship, while still dealing with his own past. The novel opens with the discovery of a mutilated murder victim on the rainy roof of building under construction. The murder is soon linked to a local crime boss which includes a widening net of characters, including Stevie Cooper, the violent and close childhood friend of Harry McCoy.

As the murders continue, more details are revealed about McCoy and his past and of his deep relationship with Cooper. Parks includes a wide variety characters that include a slimy, dapper criminal defense attorney, a seemingly straitlaced boss whom might be corrupt, a roaming discredited doctor fond of shock therapy and lobotomies and Watson, McCoy's green number two sidekick.

Parks' novels involving the McCoy character are impressive crime novels. He creates a violent, dark and ominous 1970's Glasgow with complex characters.

This novel and Parks' previous Harry McCoy novel, Bloody January, are highly recommended for fans of Ian Rankin and Adrian McKinty.