Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

1979 is the first book in a new series by Val McDermid, one of the most acclaimed and prolific crime writers of our time. Set in the turbulent year of the title, the novel introduces Allie Burns, a young and ambitious investigative journalist who works for a Glasgow newspaper. Allie is determined to break out of the sexist constraints of her profession and pursue hard-hitting stories that matter. Along with her colleague and friend Danny Sullivan, she uncovers a web of corruption, terrorism, and murder that puts her life and career in danger.

McDermid masterfully recreates the atmosphere of 1979, a year marked by political unrest, social upheaval, and economic crisis. She captures the mood of the era, from the music and fashion to the slang and technology. She also explores the issues that shaped the period, such as the Scottish devolution referendum, the IRA bombings, and the rise of Thatcherism. The novel is rich in historical detail and cultural references, but never loses sight of the human drama and the suspenseful plot.

Allie Burns is a compelling and relatable protagonist, who faces both external and internal challenges. She is smart, brave, and resourceful, but also flawed and vulnerable. She struggles with her personal relationships, her professional ethics, and her sense of identity. She is a woman in a man's world, who has to deal with sexism, harassment, and discrimination on a daily basis. She is also a Scot in a British context, who has to balance her loyalty to her country and her career aspirations. She is a complex and realistic character, who grows and evolves throughout the novel.

1979 is a gripping and immersive thriller, that combines historical fiction and crime fiction in a seamless and captivating way. It is a novel that not only entertains, but also educates and enlightens. It is a novel that showcases McDermid's talent and versatility, and sets the stage for a promising new series. Fans of McDermid and newcomers alike will enjoy this novel, and look forward to the next installment in the Allie Burns series.

I love Val McDermid's novels but have a preference for her crime novels. I enjoyed this novel for its historic accuracy (I was 16 in 1979) and enjoyed the various references and also the underlying sexism faced by the female lead, Ali. She is Oxbridge educated and ends up working for a local paper in Scotland. She is an original thinking journalist looking for a big story and the book is a path about her coming to Scotland and finding her way as a young woman in a man's world. As always her characterisation is spot on. By the end of this book, you know these guys inside out and are routing for Ali as she uncovers a story involving the IRA and a terrorist threat in Scotland. I really enjoyed it. You're always in safe hands with McDermid. McDermid was once a journalist. I wonder how much of the book was autobiographical?

Allie Burns is working as a new reporter on Glasgow's leading newspaper. The male administration believes she should be working on fluff stories from the women's desk but Allie wants to be an investigative reporter. She teams up with another young person at the paper, Danny Sullivan. Together they form a team dedicated to making their way up the hierarchy at the paper, being known as investigative reporters and maybe working on Fleet Street one day.

Danny has a lead about tax fraud. He has heard his brother bragging about how his company knows how one can avoid paying taxes and shield money from the tax man. He and Allie work the story and make a splash but not without costs. Danny's brother loses his job and his parents cut him off from the family. Danny is heartbroken about that but still determined to find the next big story.

Allie goes to a meeting she found out about from a woman's group about Scottish independence. The election to vote on that is coming up and feelings are running high. When Allie hears three men talking about taking stronger action, she follows them to a pub and eavesdrops. They are talking about being more like the IRA and using bombs to make their point about Scottish rights. Danny goes undercover with the group and he and Allie are able to stop the plot and have a huge scoop for the newspaper. When murder follows, can Allie find the culprit?

This is a new character for Val McDermid who is best known for her Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series. Allie is a delightful character, spunky and resourceful, kind but always willing to stick up for herself and her career prospects. I listened to this novel and the narrator had a marvelous Scottish accent that made it all seem even more real. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

I have been a fan of Val McDermid for decades, which is why I didn't bail on this this one. It took its sweet time to get interesting, but after reading the last page (I was listening to the audiobook as I read a digital ARC) I had a huge smile on my face. It was a very satisfying read and I look forward to more books featuring Allie Burns.

I had some trouble listening to this audiobook because I had some trouble understanding some of the narrator’s pronunciation of his words. This was a fairly good book about reporters in 1979 in Scotland. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Set in 1979, this story introduces Allie Burns, a Cambridge graduate from Fife, now working as a journalist for the Glasgow Daily Clarion. On the way back to Glasgow at New Year she runs into colleague Danny Sullivan on the train and they find themselves reporting on a story. Already being highlighted in the book is how differently women journalists found themselves being treated, reflective of the era in general. Allie is after something a lot more “meaty” than the “women’s stories” she normally is stuck with, and teaming up with Danny, they first have a huge hit with an investigation into an international tax fraud which gets them noticed. Then Allie stumbles upon something much darker and potentially dangerous for all concerned. How far are the pair prepared to go to get a scoop?
The characters featured were all very true to type, and the story gives a great authentic insight into all the issues of the day, from the struggle for Scottish independence and political unrest to the attitudes and social culture that pervaded amidst the blizzards and power cuts. It is a slower burn start than some other works by the author but once the action hots up, the reader is plunged into a fast and exciting ending that grips right up the very last word.
The narration was clear and precise, very easy to listen to and the use of a Scottish actress was an absolute must in my opinion. She made all the different characters very distinctive and easy to identify.
I think it’s important not to make comparisons to this author’s other series but to approach with a fresh mind and judge it on its own merits. I am definitely looking forward to reading more Allie Burns stories.

Val Mcdermid does it again! This is the first in a new series following journalist Allie Burns. This is a slow-burn story which begins with insurance fraud and then spirals into a much darker storyline. Strong characters quickly catch your interest and I found myself enjoying the setting of a newspaper in the late 70s instead of the usual police procedural. This was a strong start to a series, introducing a protagonist who I want to read more of. I look forward to the next Allie Burns novel.

I made it to about 25% in this book before deciding not to finish. I was not invested in the story or the characters. I did enjoy the narrator though and her accent.

I also want to say that I don’t like that NetGalley is making me give this book a star rating when I didn’t finish, but if I don’t rate it, I get penalized with a lower percentage in my profile.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
1979 is book one in a new series by Val McDermid - the Allie Burns series. This book is about Allies role as an investigative journalist in Glasgow. Allies on the look out for the next big story to launch her career into the big leagues. Poor Allie doesn't have it easy especially since its the 70s and equality for women in the workplace wasn't as advanced as it is today. She always lands the small, insignificant stories and lings for a bigger one. Allie starts an alliance with another journalist- Danny Sullivan but the duo start to get enemies crawling out of the woodwork, especially the more they dig up. Danny is found murdered and Allie feels the threat to her own life hanging in the balance. Will she uncover enough for her big break and keep her life in doing so!
I struggled with the pace of this book, it seemed to drag until about 60% of the way through, which was tough going when it's on audio. It's also a very long audio book too. I liked the story line but just couldn't connect to the characters. It also took me a while to get used to the narrator as her accent is Scottish which is fine as the book is set in Scotland, but I just struggled to stay focused on the story.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* 3.5 bumped up to 4. Kinda long but not a bad way, would reread, really liked the narrators voice as well, would read more in this series

Thank you to NetGalley and Val McDermid for this ARC.

This is my first Val McDermid book, and I was pleasantly surprised. This is the start of a series following Allie Burns, an intrepid reporter in Scotland looking to make her mark. We see Allie get swept up in an investigation, and the book really made me feel like I had stepped back to 1979. I will be trying other Val McDermid works after this!

Thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

It was great to follow Allie and Danny as they investigate stories for the newspaper they both work at. It was intriguing and even added tension to the story. The first one involves Danny's family and the second one put them in dangerous situations, which made it hard to stop reading at those moments.

The book was a bit too slow for me. It takes a while to get to the investigating, but at least it uses that time to develop the characters, whom I really liked.

The ending was very rushed. There's a big thing that happens near the end of the book and I wanted the resolution to all of that to get more focus.

The narrator was very good, it was hard to get the accent in the beginning but once I was used to it, it helped to get into the story.

4 stars

An exciting murder mystery featuring Ally, a young woman aiming to jumpstart an investigative journalism career in 1970’s Scotland. Great setting & historical details, & engaging characters.

[What I liked:]

•I really like Ally, Danny, Rona. They’re kind, intelligent, & driven. Ally makes a great MC, & despite our cultural & time differences I could really empathize with her struggles to be treated as an equal at her job. The side characters (like several guys at the news office, Danny’s family, etc.) are well done as well.

•The setting & historical details are rich & blended seamlessly into the story without info dumping. I enjoyed learning about Scottish politics & social issues of the time, & seeing how they affected the MC’s.

•There is plenty of action & drama, & the sad parts really hit home. Overall, a very emotionally engaging book.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•The book feels like it’s split into two halves: before the murder, & after the murder. I get that the murder is a pivotal moment in the story, but the narrative flow & major plot points felt a bit disjointed. There are really two main strands (the fraud & the terrorist plot), & I wish the story had been tied together a bit more closely. It almost felt like I was reading two different books combined into one volume at times.

•It feels like the story (in following books) might be heading towards the MC exploring her sexuality, & while that could be a great storyline it also has the potential to be very cringe & “gay for you”, & I’m not sure how I feel about that.

CW: sexism, homophobia, terrorism, murder, blackmail

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

Five Stars to 1979! This is a compelling tale featuring Allie Burns, an investigative journalist, and it's the début of a new series by Val McDermid. Although I found that the story took some time to get going, I stuck with it and I'm pleased to say I'm glad I persevered as I ended up really enjoying it. Allie is a Fife born, Cambridge graduate working for the Glasgow Daily Clarion in 1979. Allie is struggling to get any meaningful stories, but fellow journalists, Rona Dunsyre and Danny Sullivan offer friendship and professional support. She forms a close relationship with Danny, especially whilst working on exclusives that boost their careers.

The storyline offers excitement and danger by the bucketload, especially in the second two-thirds. The troubled times of the era are well captured and portrayed; the politics, the culture, the music, and the social norms, beliefs and attitudes. The audiobook was narrated by Katie Leung and listening to the story was a good decision. I thought it was narrated excellently with Kate's voice bringing the necessary worth and verve to the proceedings with good vocal distinction for the different people. Overall, 1979 is a super, very appealing book that deals with some big issues, is extremely immersive and is, in my opinion, authentic. Very highly recommended. 😊🤞

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from RB Media, Recorded Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

An entertaining who dunnit that was great on audio with a narrator that can do an amazing Scottish accent. I was thoroughly absorbed by this historical murder mystery featuring a strong female protagonist. Great on audio, I'm looking forward to the next book in this debut series. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ALC!

It may have been the narrator, but I just could not maintain any interest in this. I did not finish it.

As my first Val McDermid book I was pleasantly surprised. The book takes a little bit to pick up but when it does the plot just takes you on a trip. You are transported to a different time. I wouldn't say a better time, not by any stretch of the imagination but a different time. It's strange thinking that the action takes place some 10 years before I was born but feels so distant...
After listening to this audio book (hats off to the voice actor) I will definitely be picking up more McDermid books in the future.

Having read a few of Val McDermid's books I was looking forward to this book which is a thriller with the view from a journalists investigation rather than a detective.

I did enjoy this book but found the storyline a bit slow going

Reads like a thriller and feels like a memoir - a leap back to a cigarette fugged era, before mobile phones, email and uber. Copy is phoned in, take away ordered hours in advance and sexism is the norm. The 1970's as a period setting- the perfect backdrop to a murder mystery. Loved this book and look forward to following young Allie's career.

This was honestly a little hard to read and follow as I'm not a native speaker. But once I got used to the accent, it was a solid read.