Unfortunately I have not been able to connect with this book and after multiple attempts have had to admit defeat and mark as dnf

First published in the UK in 2023; republished by Pushkin Vertigo on June 11, 2024

One of the pleasures of Scottish crime fiction is the challenge of translating dialog into a more familiar form of English. Turning “Wit did ye dae?” into “What did you do?” is simple enough, but longer passages require some effort. Fortunately, translation skills sharpen as the reader gets used to the dialect.

The protagonist is Detective Inspector Alison McCoist, a member of the Major Investigations Team who has been relegated to pursuing trivial investigations as punishment for accusing a man of a vicious murder he didn’t commit. In her defense, the man confessed. In the US, McCoist would get a medal and the police would conveniently overlook evidence that the confession was false.

The false confession protected Paulo McGuinn, a notorious Glaswegian criminal. Other young women have died at his hands, or at the hands of customers of his brothels. Some died in transit to Scotland as they are being trafficked.

The action starts when McGuinn gets his expensive car cleaned at a carwash owned by Sean Prentice. Davey Burnet, a hapless employee of the car wash, borrows the car without permission when he realizes he is late for a family court hearing. He wants to fight for visitation rights and knows he won’t have a chance if he can’t show that he is a responsible person. Sadly for Davey, he isn’t, but he does his best.

On the way to court, thugs working for a man named Croaker ambush the car in an attempt to assassinate McGuinn. Davey is spared only because Croaker realizes the thugs have kidnapped the wrong man. McGuinn, on the other hand, decides that the damage to his car can only be repaid by turning the carwash into one of his criminal enterprises and by making Davey his errand boy.

The plot takes plausible but suprising turns that place Davey in the middle of a war between McGuinn and Croaker. As Davey is drawn more deeply into McGuinn’s world, his thoughts become more frantic. He wants to rehabilitate his relationship with his girlfriend so he can see his daughter, but cleaning up McGuinn’s bloody messes interferes with that goal. He wonders if he can be protected by going to the police before he discovers that police officers are protecting McGuinn. Davey is such a likeable character that his predicament will cause readers to fear for his future.

DI McCoist is another likeable character, although she plays a less important role in the story than Davey. She’s called to the carwash on a couple of occasions and suspects that Davey is caught up in trouble that he can’t handle. She can relate to Davey’s desire to spend time with his daughter. McCoist’s twins live with their father and she can’t seem to connect with them, even when she steals a puppy from a puppy mill during a police raid. She might not be in the right profession, but she gains the reader’s sympathy by mustering the courage to go after McGuire. She gained my sympathy by being good to the puppy.

The tight plot proceeds at a steady pace. The ending is a bit dark, a surprise that gives the story a sense of realism. Even if the characters were less likable, I would have enjoyed Squeaky Clean just for its phonetic rendering of the Glaswegian dialect.

RECOMMENDED

Callum McSorley's Squeaky Clean won the McIlvanney Prize at the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival last year and received rave reviews, so I was eager to read it. Nevertheless, in this instance, I found it difficult to get through it due to my lack of knowledge or comprehension of the Glaswegian dialect.

I have no doubt that McSorley's account of Davey Burnet, a car wash employee who accidentally gets mixed up with the wrong people, is completely authentic and well-written. Even though it had a dark sense of humour (something I usually like), I was unable to enjoy it because of the strong Glaswegian accent. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what was going on, which was made even more difficult by the novel's slow start. For the first few chapters, there doesn't seem to be much going on, and the lengthy dialogue made things even more difficult.

I'll keep an eye out of McSorley's future novels nonetheless.

It took me a really long time to read this, mainly because of the dialect. Most of the characters had strong accents and the author painstakingly spelled out how the dialect would sound. That works to show the flavor of a place, but when it's done to this point, it's just a chore.
The characters are so unlikeable. The main cop is so bad at what she's doing, and she steals a dog early in the book. Why? She probably could have adopted the same dog instead of committing a crime.
Davey is not great, although the scenes at the car cleaning place were at least more interesting. He gets into trouble with very bad guys, and again, why?
The really bad guys are cartoon bad. I read a lot of horror, and there were parts gorier than normal for me.
I liked the idea, I enjoy a lot of Scottish crime, but this wasn't it for me. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Brilliant debut written in such a way I could follow the dialect easily. I could ‘hear’ the characters voices and that’s always a good sign.
Tense and gritty with humour where you would never expect it. Loved Alison loved Davey and they must appear again.

"Squeaky Clean" by Callum McSorley is a dark comedy and gritty storytelling that has left me in stitches and on the edge of my seat. As a fan of Scottish crime writers like Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh, I was blown away by McSorley's debut novel. The characters are perfectly imperfect, with DI Alison McCoist being a particular standout - her rough-around-the-edges personality and determination to do what's right make her a compelling protagonist. The story is fast-paced and full of tension, with a narrative that's both brutal and humorous. The Glasgow setting is vividly brought to life through McSorley's use of the Scottish dialect, although I did find it took some getting used to. Overall, I'm hooked on this series and can't wait to see what's next for McCoist and the crew. If you're looking for a crime novel that will keep you guessing and laughing, "Squeaky Clean" is an absolute must-read.

DI Alison (Ally) McCoist is relegated to menial duties after she went over her boss' head in a botched investigation. Whilst cleared of wrong-doing she has to deal with complaints against a TV licence enforcer which draws her to a car wash in the city centre. Davey runs late for a court appointment so he 'borrows' a car in for valeting - big mistake and now he is being threatened by various gangsters and is having to clean up after murders. Paulo McGuin is living the high life, a king pin in the crime hierarchy in Glasgow he believes he is untouchable.
What a great book this is! OK, it takes a fair bit of working through the vernacular Glasgow dialogue but the plot is clever and tight. Also there is a wonderful streak of very dark humour running throughout which is brilliant. It's not a gently book but it is gripping.

Thank you so much to Pushkin and netgalley for the arc of this in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I just felt bored throughout and I couldn’t connect with the characters or the plot,

I hope others like this one but it wasn’t for me.

I never thought I could find a humorous noir but this is the definition I would use for this book.
Laughed and kept turning pages.
Can't wait for the next story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Squeaky Clean is Callum McSorley's debut novel and the winner of the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year 2023.

I admit I had trouble following the Glasgow accent, which covers almost two-thirds of the book, and it took me over three days to read the novel. Despite this, I found the story impressive for a debut author. The complex personal lives of Davey and McCoist, their workplace struggles, Davey's involvement with a gang, and the looming threat over his family all contribute to the novel's intriguing elements. It's clear why this novel won a prestigious award.

The story alternates between Davey and McCoist. McCoist's story begins with her mishandling a murder case and adopting a troublesome pup, while Davey's starts with his encounter with Paulo and the subsequent misadventure with Paulo's Rolls Royce. As the story progresses, Davey sinks deeper into the mess he created, with no means of escape and his family under threat. Paulo emerges as an unstoppable menace.

In conclusion, while the engaging plot and well-developed characters made it a worthwhile read, the heavy use of the Glasgow dialect made it difficult to follow and significantly slowed my reading pace. This aspect of the novel was a major factor in my three-star rating.

3.5⭐️

A Bloody Scotland award winning debut. But be warned it’s full of Glaswegian dialect, it’s phonetic so that makes it easier to get to grips with. It’s one I probably would have loved more on audiobook with someone else doing the pronunciation.

Half of Glasgow thinks DI McCoist is bent, the other inept.
Davy a car wash attendant manages to get embroiled with one of the local criminal underworld with one bad decision.

I enjoyed the storytelling,where the world of the polis and the car wash are bought together. I really felt for Davy, but I struggled to gel with mcCoist. However I found the pacing too slow and plateaued throughout. I won’t follow the series.

This is a marvellous Glasgow Tartan Noir by Callum McSorley, blackly humorous, featuring DI Alison 'Ally' McCoist, a name which in Glasgow is going to get her noticed, leaving her nowhere to hide. When Ally makes a huge professional error, it gets her frozen and excluded from MIT, her rank intact, but no-one is willing to work with her, all that is coming her way is garbage work. Frustrated and angry, she struggles through the days, stealing the messiest puppy possible, Bruce, to keep her company and sane. There is the additional hope that it make her home a more attractive option for her children, Tess and Cam, for when they come to stay, after being dropped off by her ex, Mark.

In a smart, gritty, brutal and hard hitting narrative, be prepared for the dialogue to be in the vernacular, Ally dreams of making her way back, salvaging her reputation and getting revenge. Davey Burnet works for Sean at his carwash, a hapless not very bright guy who is experiencing nothing but bad luck as he makes a series of bad decisions. His ex, Sarah, is refusing to let him see his wee daughter, Annalee, losing all sense, he takes the motor of a well known gangster, Paulo McGuigan to get to court, only to never make it. Instead, he is badly beaten and the car is lost, leaving him and the carwash in the debt and control of McGuigan. Drowning in a blood soaked murky underworld he longs to escape, could he and Ally possibly help each other?

McSorley certainly makes an impact with this promising new beginning to what feels like a sure fire winner of a series, he aces it when it comes to creating and developing characters you will find hard to forget, whilst providing a superb and atmospheric sense of his Glasgow location. This is a brilliant, cracking crime read with twists and turns around every corner that will appeal to fans of Scottish noir and which I recommend highly! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel. This one just wasn't for me. The Scottish gangsters feel spot on and the good guys are all likable jerks. The dualogue was quite funny. It just moved really slowly and there was so much detail around small things. The descriptions of the carwash operations were amazingly specific. I'm sure others will like it.

A Scottish debut author, Callum McSorley’s Squeaky Clean is a sharp police procedural. It introduces Glasgow’s Detective Inspector Alison "Ally" McCoist whose colleagues think she is bent or inept. Despite her rank, Ally is given menial crime tasks to follow up. Tasked with following up on a burnt-out prestige car, it leads Ally back to a car washing business with a connection to a local crime lord. As Ally investigates, she finds links to her last case that resulted in her being reprimanded by an official inquiry. Seeing her chance at revenge, Ally acts against warning from her superiors to leave well enough alone. An absorbing narrative with lots of Scottish brogue and a slow-burning read, an explosive finale with a four star read rating. With thanks to Pushkin Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

Down and dirty, gritty police investigation, muddied by the mob and corruption, a bit of ego, and a dose of real life.

Never underestimate the tenacity of a f*ck up, or the determination of a lovable rogue under pressure. Sharp, gritty, and entertaining as hell.

Squeaky Clean by @callumrmcsorley

McILVANNEY PRIZE for SCOTTISH CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2023

I’m not sure how old Callum is, he looks like a boy in his photos (I’m getting old) - and this was his debut novel!!! How?!
Despite my jealousy, I loved Squeaky Clean. It’s funny in the way The Sopranos was - one minute you’re laughing and onside with the characters, the next you realise what you’re laughing at and how bad they actually are.

DI Alison (Ally) McCoist has messed up big time and no one trusts her. Carwash employee Davey Burnet has messed up too, and it’s going to change his life forever.

There’s kidnapping, murder, prostitution… the worst of Glasgow’s underworld. Can Davey escape its clutches? Can Ally put away the psycho at the head of it all? I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out and can’t wait for the sequel next year.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Squeaky Clean" by Callum McSorley is a gritty, darkly humorous dive into the underbelly of Glasgow's criminal world. The novel introduces us to Davey Burnet, a seemingly inconsequential car wash employee whose life takes a dramatic turn when he unwittingly becomes entangled with the city's nefarious figures.

The narrative is fast-paced and brimming with tension, capturing the reader's attention from the first page. McSorley's Glasgow is not for the faint-hearted; it's a place where violence is a language and survival is an art. The author's use of Scottish vernacular adds authenticity to the setting, though it may pose a challenge for those unfamiliar with the dialect.

DI Alison McCoist, the other central character, is a flawed yet determined detective, whose reputation is as battered as the city she serves. Her dogged pursuit of justice and redemption is as compelling as Davey's struggle for survival. Their paths cross in unexpected ways, leading to a series of events that are as unpredictable as they are thrilling.

McSorley's debut is a bold statement, showcasing a knack for blending dark comedy with crime thriller elements. The characters are deeply flawed, yet undeniably human, making them both relatable and memorable. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with humor, providing levity to an otherwise intense narrative.

Overall, "Squeaky Clean" is a standout novel that offers a fresh take on the crime genre. It's a book that entertains as much as it provokes thought, leaving readers eager to see what McSorley will write next. With its unique voice and unflinching portrayal of Glasgow's dark side, this book is a must-read for fans of crime fiction looking for something out of the ordinary.

I am a bit late to the party with this book, but I am glad I eventually got there...
We start with a cop - DI Alison McCoist - yep... Ally McCoist - Rangers legend... And yes, she gets ribbed by it all the way through, and no, it doesn't get old or boring! She's a bit of a f-up having botched a sensitive murder enquiry - putting away the wrong person, and so, even though she is still attached to the MIT - by a very thin thread - she is given all the dross jobs... She's frustrated but determined to get back up to where she belongs... Also to avenge those who helped bring her down...
We also meet Davey Burnet who works at a car-wash. He is down on his luck, separated from his missus who is also refusing him access to their daughter. One day, a forgotten court case has him "borrowing" a client's car in order to try make it on time... But this decision turns out to be much much worse than he can ever envisage and is the catalyst for the spiral in fortune he suffers...
And that's all I am saying. It's all a bit interconnected and convoluted and best read as the author intends. One thing I will warn you about before you dive in, the dialogue is written in the Scottish Glaswegian vernacular. It's easily translated along the way but, if you are like me, you might need to "read aloud" occasionally!
The characters are brilliant. Occasionally larger than life but never verging into caricature. It probably helped that I took to Davey right from the start. Poor lad, he really didn't have any luck in life at all. And I know you make your own luck, but some people really are beyond hope/help. And Ally - loved her for all the wrong and right reasons. She's a maverick, she's tenacious, she throws off authority like it's a manky coat. She's her own woman. And she loves her wee dug.
It's brutal in places and funny in others. Starting off quite lightly it descends into quite a dark place so it's good that there is humour peppered throughout. All culminating in a complicated but wholly satisfying conclusion. It really is Tartan Noir at its very best.
And the very best thing about this book. Apart from it being brilliant, is that there is a sequel... Now... who do I have to "persuade" to get me a copy of that bad boy... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A new Scottish detective to play with in DI Alison McCoist introduced as a failure despised by her peers but somehow still employed. Given all the dead end jobs she stumbles into the misdeeds of a Glasgow kingpin gangster and the story rattles along on a tide of dark humour and extreme violence. Full of dodgy characters all speaking in a Glaswegian accent it takes a bit of concentration to keep up but is well worth it. Look forward to more of the same!