1930’s Violence, murder, crime, action, sarcasm and you had better get with the dialect if you want to get a handle on anything. Glasgow has always been known as a rough and tumble place and this novel makes the best use of its reputation. The criminals know the cops and the cops know the bad guys and there is a strange back and forth dance going on. Sort of reminiscent of the old Elliot Ness type of drama.

Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner Archie McDaid are the team to watch and while you follow them enjoy their patter, because it is a great tension breaker. So if you are looking for robbery, assault, battery and a murder story you have it all here told in a tight, fast moving, smart cracking way.

Thanks to Bantam Books and NetGalley for a copy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In 1930s Glasgow, partners Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn and his sharp-witted colleague, “Bonnie” Archie McDaid, navigate the gritty streets of a city teetering on the edge. The Depression-era Glasgow is no stranger to violence, but when a dead man is found executed on a narrowboat in the Forth and Clyde Canal, it’s clear this is no ordinary killing.

Firearms replace the usual knives and fists, hinting at something more sinister. As the body count rises, Dreghorn and McDaid find themselves entangled in a web of political tensions, sectarian strife, and hidden motives. A suspected IRA cell lurks within the criminal underworld, drawing the attention of relentless Special Branch agents from London.

Robbie Morrison’s “Cast a Cold Eye” is a dark historical crime novel that grips you from the first page. The writing conjures the smoky alleys, the palpable danger, and the moral complexities of a city on the brink. Dreghorn and McDaid are compelling protagonists, flawed yet determined, and their pursuit of justice takes them into the heart of darkness.

Morrison’s vivid portrayal of 1930s Glasgow, with its razor gangs, secrets, and simmering tensions, immerses readers in a world where freedom fighters and terrorists blur the lines. If you crave atmospheric mysteries with richly drawn characters, add “Cast a Cold Eye” to your reading list.

The depression is raging across the world. It has hit Glasgow, Scotland hard. Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn and his sergeant, Big Archid McDaid, do their best to keep the bad guys at bay and protect the good citizens of Glasgow. Dreghorn lives with his demons brought on by the Great War and his time in Shanghai as a policeman. He and Archie catch a murder on a narrowboat in the canal, but that is just the beginning of a rampage. Someone is killing members of the Black and Tans, a British paramilitary group who were stationed in Ireland during the Easter Uprising, who committed heinous crimes in the name of King and country. When Special Branch comes sniffing around, the investigation only gets more difficult. The use of firearms makes the murders even worse since guns are rarely available in Scotland. Where will the murders end? An interesting look at life in a city rarely featured in crime novels. Dreghorn is a multi-faceted protagonist with unplumbed depths. I will be reading more of this series.

Excellent police procedural with plenty of action and some twists too. Great series.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Glasgow, 1933. Murder is nothing new in the Depression-era city, especially to war veterans Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner, “Bonnie” Archie McDaid. But the dead man found in a narrowboat on the Forth and Clyde Canal, executed with a single shot to the back of the head, is no ordinary killing. Violence usually erupts in the heat of the moment—the razor-gangs that stalk the streets settle scores with knives and fists. But firearms suggest something more sinister, especially when the killer strikes again. Meanwhile, other forces are stirring within the city. A suspected IRA cell is at large, embedded within the criminal gangs and attracting the ruthless attention of Special Branch agents from London. With political and sectarian tensions rising and the body count mounting, Dreghorn and McDaid pursue an investigation into the dark heart of humanity—where one man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist, and noble ideals are swept away by bloody vengeance. Well written period piece with a gripping plot and original and interesting characters.

Cast a Cold Eye
By Robbie Morrison

"Edge of the Grave" was Morrison's debut novel in the Jimmy Dreghorn/Archie McDaid series. Book 1 earned high praise and awards in the crime/mystery genre. It is the story of these two policemen in Glasgow post World War I and the troubles in Ireland. There is a depression in the land and poverty and lawlessness abound. I was very impressed with this first book.

Now comes book two in the series. The characters of the protagonists are becoming more well-defined. The causes of the city's problems are more stark here. And the sins perpetrated by the "bad guys" and "good guys" alike are front and center in this novel. Even our heroes are not saints.

While keeping the reader on edge with a fast paced story line, Morrison, lays out clearly that there were two or more sides to the situations existing at the time: Ireland vs. UK; local police vs. Special Branch; Catholics vs. Protestants – multiple factions kept the city in turmoil. And it was the little people who suffered from all this.

I have greatly enjoyed both books and I look forward to a third. After all, I think Jimmy and Archie – and Mr. Morrison – have much more to say!

Book Review
Cast a Cold Eye
Robbie Morrison
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


This follow-up to Morrison’s award-winning “Edge of The Grave” is a historical police procedural packed with bloody thrills and mystery. The year is 1933, and Glasgow is deep in the Great Depression, grappling with poverty, unemployment, and hunger while contending with rampant street gangs and the ever-present threat of IRA reprisals.

This gritty street tale unfolds through the eyes of Detective Inspectors Jimmie Dreghorn and Archie McDaid. Alcoholism and discontent fuel a climate of fear and violence, with religious differences playing a significant role in the ongoing strife, even dividing the street gangs by religion. Chief Constable Percy Joseph Sillitoe, a man with radical ideas, institutes a new direction in crime control, forming a special unit of twelve handpicked officers known for their prowess and stature, and unafraid to use force when necessary. Known on the streets as the “Tartan Untouchables” (deliberately modeled after Eliot Ness’ Chicago “Untouchables”), the unit’s most prominent officers are Jimmie Dreghorn and Archie McDaid. Jimmie, a veteran of the Great War, is a complex man of contrasts and contradictions. Standing only five feet eight inches tall, he possesses the body and skill of a boxer. He is a Catholic cop in a Protestant force. Archie, the tallest and largest man on the force, won a bronze medal for wrestling at the 1924 Paris Olympics and held the title of Scottish Police Heavyweight Champion in 1928. At times, he could be seen playing the bagpipes in full Highland dress. The two share an unwavering belief in justice.

While investigating a string of house robberies, they stumble upon a ghastly murder scene. During their investigation, a witness mentions that a nearby boat hasn’t moved in a week and its captain is missing. In the ship’s hull, they find Captain Reginald Smith bound and lying in a pool of blood, with a single shotgun wound to the back of his head. This was obviously an execution. Guns are illegal and carry a stiff penalty, while knives, razors, and clubs are the weapons of choice. The motive remains elusive and may be related to the ongoing issues of sectarian differences or their attendant politics.

During their investigations and multiple interrogations, a second murder occurs with the same MO. Jimmie and Archie come upon a pub meeting of notable criminals in Glasgow—the bosses of both the Catholic and Protestant gangs—along with several notable outsiders from Ireland. Their presence attracts the involvement of the Special Branch, an independent force tasked with combating terrorism, subversion, and threats to national security. By its nature, it was enmeshed with politics and skulduggery. (Interjected is a necessary history lesson involving the extensive conflicts and killings leading up to The Partition and its aftermath. We also learn of the terms of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty.)

Robbie Morrison proves to be an exceptional storyteller, weaving a complex narrative with vivid, multidimensional characters placed in severely compromised situations. This twisted narrative presents many unexpected events that lead to escalating suspense and intrigue, culminating in a thrilling denouement. Be prepared to become immersed in the life, culture, and politics of the time and place. History is made fascinating with this dark street poem of bloody vengeance. Hopefully, this won’t be the last of Inspector Jimmie Dreghorn. Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com ..... 5 Star Gem....

I was surprised when I got an email saying that my wish for Cast a Cold Eye had been granted. I honestly don’t remember wishing for it on NetGalley, and I also don’t usually read historical police mysteries. But since I had pushed that button and it was granted, I downloaded the book. Now that I’ve read it, I was pretty impressed with what I read.

Cast a Cold Eye is a slow book. But it is not one of those taking forever to get to the next scene of the book. It is slow in the way that the author takes his time with the murder storyline and the secondary storylines in the book. He takes his time building everything up. I liked it because it allowed me to fully understand what was going on in Glasgow, how that affected people (including Jimmy), and how it related to the storyline.

Cast a Cold Eye is the second book in the Jimmy Dreghorn series. It can be read as a standalone. There are references to the first book sprinkled throughout this one, but—and I stress this—those references did not take over the main storyline.

The main storyline in Cast a Cold Eye is the murders of four seemingly unrelated people and the police investigation into them. I was caught by surprise when the author mentioned forensics being used. I didn’t know that people in the 1930s used forensics (I do want to note it was only for the bullets). I enjoyed seeing Jimmy and Archie’s investigation into those murders. I was a little surprised at the connection between the murdered people. I was even more astonished at why those people were killed. What I wasn’t surprised by was who did it. The author didn’t keep that secret. The person was named several times during the book.

Some more minor storylines feed into the main storyline. The most major of those secondary storylines was the one with Ellen, Strachan, their investigation, and their attempted murder. This storyline is connected to the main one, but the author doesn’t reveal how until almost the end of the book. I was shocked at who tried to kill them, and I was surprised by why once Jimmy got that person’s confession. Ellen and Strachan’s relationship is also the main focus of this storyline. Strachan was obsessed with her, and the events immediately leading up to their attack were proof of that. Of course, I do like how Jimmy took care of that.

I liked Jimmy. He was a former boxer and ex-solider who became a police officer. He did his best to uphold the law in Glasgow. His and Archie’s methods were brutal (dunking a suspect in horse manure to get him to talk is one example), but they got results. He and Archie also had one of the best bookish bromances that I have read to date.

The book had many memorable secondary characters, but the two Special Branch operatives, the priest and the female magistrate, stood out the most. The author also connected those individuals directly to the murders and the events that led up to them years before.

The mystery angle of Cast a Cold Eye was wonderfully written. As I stated above, the author did reveal who was behind three of the murders. The reason why those men were murdered was horrific. Why was it terrible? Because of what they did. I didn’t blame that person for wanting vengeance. But, there was one other murder and an attempted murder of two police officers that were not tied to that person. I wasn’t shocked at who was behind the first murder. But the person behind the attempted murder did surprise me. There were also two innocent people in this whole mess. One was severely hurt by the person who tried to kill Strachan. The other person, unfortunately, was going to pay for who this person was related to and their crimes (which was a shame).

The end of Cast a Cold Eye left me wanting more. I wanted to learn more about Jimmy, see more of Archie, and see if there was going to be a resolution to the beef between Jimmy and Strachan and if Elle was going to be collateral.

I want to add that the author did write a note and explain that he did take liberties with places and items.

I really enjoyed this historical story. I learn a lot about what was going on in the 30s in Scotland. Jimmy and Archie are in it again. How these two survive the things that happen to them is remarkable. There are people dying because of old hurts and other people hurt because they were just in the way. Jimmy is trying his best to help bring down some people who are hell bent on getting revenge at any cost. There are twists and turns to the story that leave you guessing. Good story.

I received an ARC of this book. Good detective story in an interesting setting. Took me a bit to understand some of the colloquialisms used by the detectives but otherwise I enjoyed the book.

I recently reviewed a historical fiction crime story by comic book author Robbie Morrison.  Set in Scotland in 1932, Edge of the Grave followed Scotland Police Department Inspectors Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner Archie McDaid as they worked to solve the murder of a ship-building magnate’s son-in-law.  The novel was a suspense-filled thriller with twists and turns that left you jaw-dropped in the last few scenes of the novel.  When I found out that Edge of the Grave was the first novel in a planned series of novels featuring Jimmy Dreghorn, I couldn’t wait to read the latest novel in the series, Cast a Cold Eye.  It took me some time to get to it due to my hectic schedule, but…well, you’ll just have to read the rest of this review to find out how it went.

Set a few months after the events of the last novel, Cast a Cold Eye finds Dreghorn and McDaid stumble on a murder on the Forth and Clyde Canal.  A man is found dead on a narrowboat, killed with a single shot to the back of the skull.  This is a big deal to Dreghorn and McDaid as they are currently involved in finding the source of the large number of guns that have been flooding the streets of late. 

Initially, the two are pushed off the case, but as more people end up dead, it becomes all-hands-on-deck, especially as it seems that there is an IRA component involved.  Unfortunately, that means working with Special Branch agents from London who are none-to-keen on conducting a joint investigation.  In fact, it seems as if the agents are hindering the investigation rather than aiding it.  As Dreghorn and McDaid get closer to understanding the vengeful intent behind the serial killings, things get personal as one of their own is attacked and left for dead.  Can the two inspectors find the killer before they exact their final revenge?

After the last novel, I was totally invested in the main characters, their work lives and their home lives.  Jimmy Dreghorn and Archie McDaid are great protagonists, rough guys with great moral values and a few flaws that give them character.  But they aren’t the only ones you will find yourself paying attention to.  And the antagonists…well, suffice it to say that you will find yourself wondering who the real bad guys are by the end of the novel.

Robbie Morrison is such a descriptive writer.  His comic book experience helps you to visualize everything happening in this novel.  I have come to appreciate his visualization skills, especially during one scene in particular: The two detectives are approaching a tenement.  The day is beautiful…so beautiful that people are outside enjoying it by sitting on stoops, while kids play soccer, hopscotch, or Kick the Can.  Everyone is enjoying themselves, including the detectives, when the building they are about to enter suddenly explodes. The lead up to this moment is incredible and I could never do it justice with this summary, but I could see everything in my mind’s eye and the explosion came as a shock.  Equally descriptive is the aftermath after the explosion.  What an amazing scene!

There are some terrific twists and turns in this novel that you might not be expecting.  I was able to predict some things, but wasn’t ready for the one-two punch of an ending.  Cast a Cold Eye was terrific read with plenty of action, intrigue, and a few “you got what you deserve” moments, with twists and turns that will surprise you.  I can’t wait to read another novel in the Jimmy Dreghorn series!

About six months ago in Men Reading Books, East Coast Don reviewed our first read by Robbie Morrison, Edge of the Grave, and this is the second, Cast a Cold Eye. The books have the same protagonist, Jimmy Dreghorn. The first book was a period piece from 1932 Glasgow, and the second book takes place a year later, 1933 Glasgow. This second story also includes Police Constable Ellen Duncan, as well as a host of other great characters which the author uses to fill out his story. The novel cuts across class esand especially discusses the seeming impossibility of finding any resolution to the Catholic-Protestant biases and resulting violence. While the story does not have exclusively to do with events in Ireland, it does explain the spill over of violence from Ireland into Scotland, societies that had a long history of connection. I think it must be impossible to read this book in 2024 and not immediately associate to the seeming impossibility of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This book also addressed the ongoing misogyny that continues to be an unfinished issue in so many cultures. This is a well written detective novel, a meaningful work of historical fiction. Just as opined by ECD, I’m ready for more of Robbie Morrison. West Coast Don.

Gritty! Explosive! Endearing!

Glasgow 1933. Inspector Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner “Bonnie” Archie McDaid, part of the Glasgow’s Special Crime Squad, find themselves in the middle of a situation with Irish Free State fighters, the razor gangs suddenly meeting together, Special Branch up from London messing on their patch, and three murders, or rather assassinations. The only visible link between the deaths being the method of executions.
When Dreghorn and McDaird find the reasons behind the murders it’s explosive. All men were ex-Black and Tan operatives in Ireland at a place called Tralee, all men left under a cloud. Payback maybe? For what specifically?
The Special Crime Squad are told in no uncertain terms to stay out of the way of Special Branch operatives.
The trouble is things keep linking back to the Irish and the selling of illegal Irish Hospital Sweepstake tickets taking place. The gangs are offloading the tickets which everyone wants. Why Jimmy’s own mother’s given him an illegal sweepstakes ticket as a present!
It’s when an explosion takes place in the tenements on Vulcan Street injuring bairns and women that Jimmy and Archie see red.
Jimmy Dreghorn, ex-army (who wasn’t at that time?), ex-police in Shanghai, ex-boxer finds himself confronting memories of the past, a woman from his childhood, and ghosts. Achingly evident when Jimmy takes items out of his trunk in his bedroom.
One man’s freedom fighter is another’s terrorist. Lines become blurred. When young WPC Ellen Duncan becomes injured whilst firstly fighting of the unwelcome attentions of Inspector Boyd Strachan, then an assassin intent on killing Strachan, all bets are off as are as Jimmy and Archie are concerned, as are the gloves.
The grounds thick with action, motives and situations!
Another dynamite of a police historical thriller from Robbie Morrison, no pun intended!

A Random House-Ballantine ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Cast A Cold Eye is the second book in the Jimmy Dreghorn mysteries by Robbie Morrison once again immerses us in 1930s depression error Glasgow with Dreghorn and McBride as our tour guides while arresting a Casanova who funds his love by robbing movie theaters a hero Citizen tells lt. Dreghorn about a boat who skipper hasn’t been seen lately when they investigate they found an execution that leads to The IRA the hospital lottery fund and then some brutal know it all out of town policeman come in at first try to call the shots and then when they see Jimmy and McBride are not pushovers they even act like he may be suspect but in the end it will be the proud civil enforcement of Glasgow that solves the case but there will be more murders before that happens. While all this is going on Jimmy’s loneliness seems to be getting louder and he keeps getting drawn back to the house he knows he shouldn’t go to but then when he runs into an old friend name Rachel McRaedie he can’t get her off his mind. Although inspector Jimmy has a lot on his plate he always seems to solve the case I love these books love the Glasgow zeitgeist of that era the colloquialisms and an all-around feeling of being immersed in that world I think the author does an admirable job transporting the reader to that time and place and I absolutely love these books I want to thank Random House publishing for my free ARC via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Cast a Cold Eye is book two in the Jimmy Dreghorn mystery series by Robbie Morrison.
I enjoyed reading Edge of the Grave, so I was thrilled to start book two.
Robbie Morrison writes an atmospheric murder mystery.
This is a compelling, intriguing and intensely riveting, historical crime read which I loved, with its rich descriptions and details of the period made this a phenomenal read.
This new book is packed with a violent atmosphere, drama and outstanding characterization.
He can build his plot in an atmosphere of suspense, tension and intrigue.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Bantam for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Jimmy Dreghorn and his partner Archie McDaid (the big man) are back in this second in what I'm hoping will be a series- but it's entirely enjoyable as a standalone. It's 1933 Glasgow and the place is rife with problems. Deghorn finds himself chasing a plot by the IRA with roots in the past. No spoilers because this one is nicely twisty (and informative- don't miss the afterword). It's also incredibly atmospheric and, to be honest, more than a tad violent. Deghorn is a conflicted man still coping with the Great War but he's got a soft spot for his uncle, for the young and intelligent WPC Ellen, and for McDaid. His own past is always with him, just waiting. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great read for fans of historical mysteries.

CAST A COLD EYE is Robbie Morrison's gripping, immersive tale set in long-past Glasgow where crime and justice trade places and shift shapes with every well-written scene. Actually, the past doesn't feel that distant given the way Morrison's characters are as complicated, noble, and base as the best of Shakespearean heroes and villains. I had inklings, but no definite answer to the murder Dreghorn and McDaid Investigate in 1930's noir, violence, and great dialogue. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

The second book in the inspector Jimmy Dreghorn series, set in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1933, is every bit as gritty as the first book. This time around, Dreghorn and his partner, 'Bonnie' Archie McDaid, are investigating a series of murders, assassinations apparently, of men who had served in Ireland in the Black and Tans years ago.

Dreghorn is an interesting character: 35 years old, a pretty heavy drinker and smoker, haunted by his experiences and actions in WWI, unlucky in love, a fallen-away Catholic who is serving in a mostly Protestant police force. Although he's capable of just about any violence, he's also quite protective of the innocent, women and especially children.

His partner Archie is quite a piece of work too. He's huge in size, intimidating and capable of violence himself but a family man and a softy at heart who often tries to act as Jimmy's conscience.

The author Morrison really immerses the reader in the mean streets of Glasgow. Things are hard for most everyone during the Depression years but the gangs and violence make life that much worse. This story also brings in the Irish history, struggles between the Catholics, Protestants, and English, much of which was new to me. Do you remember Irish sweepstakes tickets? "If You're Not In, You Can't Win." Big jackpot but illegal gambling. Supposedly a fundraiser for a good cause--to help build hospitals.

If you enjoy police procedurals, I highly recommend this series for its totally different take and setting. I've mentioned the violence in this story but really there is a lot of laugh-out-loud humor too. The relationship between these two partners is close and special. In general, the secondary characters are also quite well depicted, whether they be the criminals or the other polis. A good look at human nature in all its aspects.

And then there's the language: their boss Sillitoe, an Englishman, 'enjoyed applying linguistic deduction to the abounding Scots vernacular and seemed to revel in the rough-hewn exoticness of the words.' I admit I scratched my head over the frequent use of the adjective 'gallus' though. Och!

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

If you enjoy a well-written historical crime novel, you will enjoy this one. It is obvious that the author has done his homework and knows a lot about 1933 Glasglow.

The scene is a historical setting when political corruption was rampant and gang violence was at an all time high. The characters are complex. There are red herrings provided and plot twists that will leave you guessing. It was a little slow in the beginning, but it picked up at little more later in the story. If you enjoy crime drama set back in history, you will enjoy it. I am not really a historical reader myself, but it was still interesting.

Thank you to Random House Ballatine and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Cast a Cold Eye is the second installment in the excellent Jimmy Dreghorn series. As in the first book, the writing is well done, the characters fleshed out even more and the crime realistic. Dreghorn and his partner McDaid continue to police the grim streets of 1930s Glasgow. The crimes from the first book continue to impact both men. Crime continues to plague Glasgow with warring razor blade gangs creating chaos. There also seems to be an IRA cell in Glasgow which causes special agens to arrive from London. Jimmy and Archie try to stop the violence but the bodies continue to pile up.

I highly recommend this series and am anxiously awaiting the next installment. This is my newest favorite crime series already. Robbie Morrison has done a superb job of transporting the reader to 1930s Glasgow.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for my chance to read Morrison's latest prior to publication.