Vermin

"Vermin" by William A. Graham.

4.5 stars.
I really loved it!
The way the book starts, wow, so funny, then I couldn't put it down!

Allan Linton is a detective who has to find a missing girl... He has a partner, Niddrie, together they work the case...

A really well written detective story full of suspense, surprises and funny lines. Good pace, interesting characters, well developed story...
Good from beginning to end! I never read a detective story like that, captivating and funny!

Thank you NetGalley and Black & White Publishing for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Vermin is a brilliant private investigator story set in Dundee, by a debut author who has created a wonderful hero in Allan Linton, so I hope that this is just the beginning of a series. Linton reminded me of Robert Crais’ detective Elvis Cole, which is a good thing as that’s one of my favourite series.

Allan Linton, who used to be a crime journalist but now runs his own investigative company, and his associate, the mysterious Niddrie, are asked by a wealthy client to track down a young woman with only a false name, a photo and the idea that she might be from Dundee, but are told it must remain a secret. Using his network of friends, former clients and past contacts, they manage to find the girl, but when the client is murdered in London, and a pair of shady characters show up, Linton will need to get devious to keep both her and his precious daughter safe.

What I liked best here is that Linton was a genuinely nice guy, with principles, friends, and a backbone. He’s not screwed up at all, maintains a cordial relationship with his ex and is close to his sparky teenage daughter. He inspires intense loyalty from the people he’s helped, and he will do the right thing, even if that means working outside the law. There was just enough backstory to tell us what we need to know, and the plot was not overly complicated.

The only things I didn’t like were the title (which is explained right at the end but would have put me off the book if I hadn’t read the blurb), and the annoyingly repetitive anti-English digs throughout: you’d think after living in Scotland for ten years I’d be used to it, but they still grate. I’m not marking this down though, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to more.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Vermin is published on 01.03.19.

Vermin is about a PI based in Dundee and it is the first book that I have read by William A Graham and hopefully won't be the last.

It is a really enjoyable book, that moves along at a decent pace and incorporates a little bit of humour that doesn't overwhelm or detract from the main storyline.

The main characters are ripe for development in future books and I hope that this becomes a series

Highly recommended

Vermin, the first novel to feature Dundee based PI Allan Linton, is a superb piece of crime fiction with all the bells and whistles required to keep a reader enthralled. I couldn't put it down and found myself finishing it in a single gripping sitting. It has a solid, unpredictable plot aided by the twists and surprises throughout, and as the narrative is solely from Allan's perspective it's easy to follow and immerse yourself in. The humour interspersed within the pages is quite amusing and brings a lighter tone to the novel, and Allan's optimism despite the difficulty of finding information about the missing girl is an enjoyable addition.

Allan comes across a lot like Columbo, bumbling around and looking, for all intents and purposes, as though he has no idea what he's doing but exactly like the inimitable Columbo he is as sharp as a tack, and the facade serves the purpose of putting those he's investigating at ease; it's a very clever little ruse if ever there was one. I also appreciate that while he has his personal problems like many other fictional investigators he doesn't spend time wallowing in self-pity he instead makes light of the situation which makes him a joy to behold.

Many thanks to Black & White Publishing for an ARC.

Great introduction to PI Alan Linton. Dry humour, great characters along with some tales of the darker side of life. What’s not to like?

Very easy to read. I look forward to the next in the series.

Really enjoyed this story of a Dundee PI. Great story and looking forward to more from William A. Graham

It is always good to find a debut from an author and find it such a pleasurable read. Allan Linton the owner of the Private Investigations Agency is a great character and the use of humour in this book really does work well, both in the speech as well as the narrative. This book is a very easy read and the storyline is gripping keeping you reading. There is much background detail in this book so that those who require the backstory get it and I would expect future books to have less of this. The pacing of the book is well thought out and the locations are used well. This book is quite a 'cosy' read until the last quarter where the action picks up, there is some violence but there is nothing particularly graphic. I like the fact that the author doesn't resort to using a lot of swearing to pad out the narrative and find the family story alongside believable and will be interested to see how it develops. A solid 4 stars for this book.
#Vermin #NetGalley

Oh my goodness, I have not enjoyed a book so much for a very long time - if only I could give it more than 5*. It's not a comedy book but it made me laugh out loud several times (hard to do), wonderful characters, great plot. Please please don't let this be a one hit wonder - I want more from this writer and this ensemble of characters.

Set in Dundee and featuring Allan Linton a private detective with a difference. Some lovely touches of humour with his sidekick Niddrie. A taste of things to come in the next book and I would recommend this one most definitely. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. Reviews on Goodreads and Facebook.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers Black & White for the ARC.
Excellent reading! Allan Linton is an ex-newspaper reporter, ex-husband of a high-flying lawyer whose wealthy father heads a prestigious law firm, and a protective father to his daughter Ailsa, now 15.. His Associate Niddrie is characterised as quietly assured, although we are drip-fed occasional snippets which suggest his Army experience was gained elsewhere to the Pay Corps. Following a visit to his office by an elderly Englishman, Allan and Niddrie begin an investigation into a missing girl Tina Lamont. They have nothing more to go on but a photograph of her in a school uniform, the suggestion that she was from Dundee and that she was a brunette and had been in London.
The search for Tina is the background thread which leads us through Allan's past and present relationships with previous clients, friends and family, not least of which is his oldest friend who is now the largest drugs distributor in the area.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. There's no excessive violence, nor swearing although there are several dead bodies and well-planned conclusion. The writing flowed to give the reader a detailed picture of Allan Linton's life as a private detective and it was a comfortable read. I found the dialogue witty and entertaining and can't wait to hopefully read more of Allan Linton & Associates' adventures.

I must congratulate Mr. Graham on this, his first novel. It is very well written and a pleasure to read.

Allan Linton's career as a crime reporter was truncated, cut short, strangled, or some other negative verb, by the takeover of his newspaper by modern types who could not understand why a reporter did not spend all his time at his desk. After not very much thought he took a buyout, and reinvented himself as a private investigator. We join him several years later. The firm is now called "Allan Linton and Associates" although there is only one Associate, an enigmatic but highly effective fellow called "Niddrie". First name? Last name? TBD. Niddrie is an unusual associate for a detective in fiction because he isn't a bruiser, although one thinks he could be in the right situations.

The story revolves around a missing woman. A mysterious client hires Allan Linton and Associates to find a girl known only by a fake name. Allan starts with only a photo to go by but his reporter's instincts and a career of shady contacts stands him in good stead.

I look forward to reading more of these.

I liked this book. It is set in Dundee Scotland and I often looked up places on Google Maps to get a feel for the setting. Allen is a reporter turned private investigator. A well dressed nervous gentleman hires him to find a missing school girl and the mystery begins. The characters are likeable if a bit one dimensional. The main character, Allan, is the only one we get to know well. He is a good detective but not a great one but he has a lot of friends willing to help him out. He solves cases and earns the loyalty of those he helps. I liked this book but think the other characters need a little more polish. I never got a sense of what went wrong with Allen’s marriage or what the story was with his business partner. It just seemed a little lacking in detail. The story is mostly told in first person and it jumps back and forth in time. I know that it’s to explain relationships but it is a bit choppy and drags in some places. I was almost put off the whole book entirely when the first paragraph began describing a man farting at a dinner meeting but the rest of the book made up for that unnecessary detail. Overall, I liked it and would like to see more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book was 3.5 stars, but I decided to round up. I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of this book. Overall the core plot was exciting with many compelling twists. There were some parts that dragged, but I do believe these parts were to set up a solid characterization for the main characters and how they were connected. While I see the value in those moments, I thought they could have been handled better. I definitely recommend this book - a quick and enjoyable read that's well worth your time.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'd had a run of poor books before picking this one up and was seriously considering pausing my book reviewing for a while when this one popped up on my TBR list.

I'm not wowed with the title (although, it did enable me to search for it easily) and the first line is about an MP farting in an Italian restaurant.....so.....to say that I was expecting the worst would be an understatement. But, how wrong I was!

Vermin tells the entertaining story of Allan, a PI and his family, friends and associates in Dundee. Allan is recruited to find a missing girl and the story develops into a tale of murder, intrigue and deception.

This is a multilayered read with interesting characters that I really cared about and it's written with humour and pathos.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Black and White Publishing and the author for reaffirming my belief in book reviewing with this excellent read. More, please! Plus, this would make a fabulous TV series ....

Set in the badlands of urban Scotland, this taut, suspense-filled debut showcases a compelling new voice in Scottish crime fiction. When an expensively dressed, well-spoken Englishman walks into the shabby Dundee office of Allan Linton & Associates, Inquiry Agents, it’s the promise of a hefty fee that convinces Allan to take the case on. The Englishman wants Allan to trace a missing person. The only clue is a photo of a young woman in school uniform—and the name Tina Lamont. Trouble is, who knows if that’s her real name, or even if she’s from Dundee. As Allan and Niddrie, his only Associate—ex-army and with skills that don’t quite match his claim of being in the Pay Corps—get the investigation underway, they find no trace of the girl anywhere. But when a dead body turns up, the two men realize they’re not the only ones on Tina’s trail. The news that serious London criminals are also hunting the girl ratchets events up to a deeply disturbing level—and that’s before Dundee’s biggest drug dealer gets involved.

WOW this book is brilliant! The characters are totally likable and the plot is very believable. It just flowed as a book and was easy to read and enjoyable too.

I would highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more Allan Linton books

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, William A. Graham, and Black & White Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

William A. Graham seeks to impress with his debut novel, set in the heart of Scotland, with an interesting investigative twist. Allan Linton is a private investigator with a great deal of sleuthing experience. Before grabbing his magnifying glass and tweed coat, he worked as an investigative reporter for one of the dailies in Dundee. Now, he’ll take on most any case that crosses his desk. When a gentleman darkens his door, Linton is not sure what to expect. Handed a school photo of a young woman, Linton is asked to locate her as soon as possible. The gentleman before him is acting as a go-between, so Linton cannot even tell who is client might actually be. While he and his ‘associate’ begin looking into the case, other locals reach out for assistance on a variety of matters, including Linton’s own daughter, Ailsa. As Linton scours through records and pulls on all his contacts to locate this woman, the reader discovers much about the story that brought Allan Linton into his current employ and how he almost lost it all to Ailsa’s mother. When Linton thinks that he may have a lead in the case, things take a turn for the worse and it’s a mad scramble to ensure that he, and Ailsa, remain safe from some of Dundee’s criminal element. Graham does well to keep the reader intrigued with this debut novel. Recommended for those who like a quick investigative thriller (does such a genre exist?) that can be read in a few hours!

I will admit, it was the dust jacket blurb that caught my attention with this one. I knew nothing of Graham and shelved this piece closer to its publication date. However, as soon as I started, I will pulled into the middle of the story and learning about Allan Linton. A fairly down to earth guy, Linton proves to be the perfect protagonist for this short piece. He offers much back story in a few long and meandering chapters, giving the reader some context throughout the novel. With his own development, both on cases and in his personal life, Linton easily becomes someone the reader can enjoy throughout this piece. Those around him prove also to do well at entertaining and offering some of their own flavouring. Should Graham allow this to launch a series, I can see some definite character development happening in upcoming novels. The story was simple and somewhat hokey, but in a good way. Simply put, it went from A to Z with a few offshoots, but keeps the reader’s attention throughout. Complex plots and numerous twists are kept from the pages of this book, but its entertainment value cannot be matched. I can only hope William A. Graham returns soon with more to offer the reader, for I will certainly queue up to see what else he plans on publishing.

Kudos, Mr. Graham, for a great debut. I can see much potential and I hope others will jump on the bandwagon as well.

I like this book very much. I was delighted to see that it is set in Dundee, Scotland because it gave a distinct flavor to the tale. The investigator had a great back story and his "Associate" was described enough to leave some mystery. I hope there is a sequel as I would be first in line.

Allan Linton may be a 'new' character in detective-land, I certainly hope to read more about him and his 'adventures'. What a wonderful read for readers who love mysterys set in Scotland. You can almost hear Allan talking, and certainly thinking.
Of course, finding a missing girl is never easy, and especially not when she really wants to disappear, but not for the obvious reasons. Allan and his associate Niddrie are a strange but very effective team so the reader needn't be surprised they take excellent care of this difficult task. The plot is layered pretty nice; it contained some real surprises.

Hello, hello friends! I hope your Christmases were merry and bright and filled with big, beautiful books.
Today’s post-holiday book review is brought to you by NetGalley and Black & White Publishing. The book is Vermin by William A. Graham, available on March 1st, 2019.

Okay, so for any of who you don’t know, I love Ireland and Scotland. They are on my bucket list to visit, though I approach this with some trepidation, as there’s a good chance I may never make the return trip if I actually go. Just kidding. Kind of.

When I came across the description of Vermin, I was immediately intrigued. A crime novel set in Scotland? Sign me up. And what a good thing I did! Because it didn’t disappoint.

Meet Allan Linton, a detective with a difference. A crime reporter turned private investigator, Allan has taken over the business previously built by his friend Eddie McLaren. Now advertised as Allan Linton and Associates in the town of Dundee, Allan and his partner Niddrie work cases as small as cats up trees and as big as missing persons.

When Allan is hired by a mysterious client to find a young woman named Tina Lamont, he and Niddrie begin to chase down leads right away—unlikely and unhelpful as they are. Given only a picture of a woman in an unfamiliar school uniform, a name that she may answer to but probably isn’t real, and the likely possibility that her hair is probably a different color, Allan is nonetheless determined to put his best foot forward in finding the object of his client’s interest.

Just as Allan is about to reluctantly admit that Tina Lamont is unfindable, a lead is uncovered in London in the shape of a dead associate of Tina’s. Gripped with the grim realization that Tina may be sought after by more than one party, Allan is determined to find her, whatever means necessary. Even if it means turning to one of his estranged and oldest friends, Dundee’s biggest drug dealer, Michael Grant.

Will Allan track down Tina before someone with less honorable intentions does? And if he is able to successfully uncover her location and her role in everything, what will he do with her and the information he suspects she’s keeping?

I love books, and I’ll admit that I can fall in love with pretty much any book with a great story, interesting characters, and engaging plot. But I’m pretty picky with who I hand out my 5 out of 5 ratings to. Vermin has made the cut.

I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end. There is mystery, great description, surprise, and a whole lot of wit. Any crime novel that can have me laughing into its pages is a win for me. Allan’s sense of humor, the antics of no-last-name Niddrie, and the back and forth dialogue between Allan and his clients...his family...his friends...his enemies...all gave me a very entertaining and interesting look into the life of a Dundee detective just trying to make a difference in his little corner of the world.

Graham does a fantastic job of giving his readers a visual of what Allan’s life is like. While the book’s plot is centered around finding Tina Lamont, Graham does so with a focus on Allan, his story, and the reader’s discovery of who this man is, how he works, and what he stands for. Graham leaves you wishing you could meet up and buy the man a pint in his favorite pub, the Wig and Gown.

Test out the integrity of Allan Linton and Associates for yourself, and pick up Vermin when you get a chance in March 2019. It‘s going on the highly recommended list for a fun, engaging read that’s sure to have you wishing for a series!

What a great read! This was a book I was immediately comfortable with. After just the first couple of pages I knew that I would enjoy this book. It was a good story with good character development. I will say it wasn't a read that kept me up late into the night. It was more a pleasant evening read that you didn't wish to end.

Set in Scotland it delivered some history of the people and the area as well as a good mystery. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Graham's offerings.

For such a violent ending this is a most genial novel - the decent PI, formerly a crime reporter, is the reason ... down and out people get a good crackfrom him, and his back story is told to fill out the ways all the people behave - young people caught up in brutal gangs, and elderly people are supported = because they are vulnerable. An overly wise daughter to an ex who has been hoodwinked by her overly protective dad, are a good offstage family story. The wonderful Niddrie is Allan's partner- and he has a burgeoning love life in this one too. Yes, perhaps it is a bit leisurely, but the richness of the atmosphere and full characterisations make it all very rewarding. I hope it's a series because I'd look forward to the next one.

This novel tells the story of Allan Linton, ex-writer turned private investigator and is set in Dundee. I declare an interest – I come from a town not far from Dundee and have a soft spot for the city.
Regardless of that Bill Graham has come upon an excellent character as his hero and a supporting cast that urge further flushing out of their characters in at least one sequel if not more.
I hugely enjoyed the Linton’s detective work and his decent guy persona that faced a good number of challenges. Niddrie as his sidekick was a more than capable foil and it was good to see that divorce can still leave room for an amicable relationship with an ex-wife and daughter.
I wasn’t sure about the title of the book and hope that it won’t put people off. One word of warning – behave yourself on Dundee buses! 😊
Look forward to the next installment.
This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Note :
This book was reviewed on Amazon on 4 December 2018.

Scottish private detective Allan Linton is tasked with finding a missing girl, with only an old photograph to go by. He takes the hopeless-seeming job because he needs the money and then sets out to find the girl, assisted by his enigmatic, single-name only, tough guy sidekick, Niddrie. I guess every Spenser needs a Hawk. Along the way, we have flashbacks to how Allan first met various grateful ex-clients whose help comes in handy throughout the adventure. This is a private eye novel, not a cozy mystery, but it's not super-dark either. It's a light, enjoyable read with an everyman-type detective and relatable supporting characters. It's easy to slip right into this world and root for the regular-guy protagonist. Maybe this type of book should be called a comfy?

I couldn't put it down. I literally couldn't stop reading. Vermin by William Graham is that good. Allan Linton is a welcomed addition to the world of 'private dick' fiction. The supporting cast of characters from Dundee are colorful and engaging. Graham pushes the narrative forward in a perfectly paced manner which is reminiscent of the best in the genre. I enjoyed the wit and whimsy a great deal. I hope we'll see more from what could be a fantastic series. Thank you to Black & White Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced reading copy. #Vermin #NetGalley

Allan Linton and Associates, Inquiry Agents is the name of the private detective firm. Allan is hired to find a young lady with nothing to go on but a fake name and a picture. The characters in this book are well developed. The good guys are likeable and the bad people end up getting their just rewards. This is a light read that can be finished quickly. It is a great vacation book. Hopefully, this book is the first in a series of books based on Allan's cases. I would recommend this book!

This book was received as an ARC copy from NetGalley and Black & White Publishing for an honest review. @Inkroadbooks @bwpublishing

Thank you NetGalley and Black & White Publishing for the eARC.
Allan Linton, former crime journalist, now a Private Detective in Dundee, Scotland, is visited by an Englishman from London who hires him to find a young woman who originally came from Dundee. With just a picture and a name, Allan and his associate are facing an impossible task. But with the help of some of Allan's good friends the case slowly progresses and they manage to find the woman, with some surprising and dangerous twists.
I like Allen a lot, he's not a tortured soul drinking or drugging his way through life, as seems to be the way with quite a few of the modern detectives. He's friends with his ex-wife, adores his teenage daughter, and is happy with his friends and associate. He's also a decent human being who loves
old rock, a good pint and may have a new romance come into his life. This seems like the start of a promising new series in a fascinating city I would love to visit some day. I also liked that we get a lot of Allen's backstory and interesting facts about the city of Dundee. A very enjoyable read, I recommend it strongly.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Black and White Publishing for an advance copy of Vermin, the first novel to feature Dundee based PI Allan Linton.

Being Scottish I have to confess I love this type of book. First in what will hopefully be a series of stories featuring Allan Linton. Good background to main character by the author making me think that this is not planned on being a one of publication. Particularly interesting as I knew a number of the parts of Dundee in the story.

No hesitation in recommending and look forward to next installment.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Black and White Publishing and the author William A Graham for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Vermin in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I found the storyline to be well thought out and fast paced. The characters were engaging and realistic.
Definitely well worth a read

An excellent nove. Thoroughly enjoyed it. From the advertising blurb, it wasn’t what I expected. More light hearted in tone, although it was a good mystery. I hope the writer writes more about Allan Linton and his escapades
W

This book is different to the ones I usually read but however a change in genre is worth it.
I loved this book. Gripped me from the start which is usually a good sign. So yes will totally recommend this book to my fellow reader.s

Try it you will be surprised. Amazing

Meet Allan Linton, accidental Private Investigator and his Associate Niddrie. When a well dressed man walks into the office of Allan Linton & Associates, he hands over a picture of a young girl dressed in a school uniform. The man offers a fee that Allan just can't justify turning down.

But the new client isn't who he says he is ... and the girl he's looking for isn't who he says she is. Quite a conundrum for Allan and Niddrie.

It becomes even more interesting when a dead body turns up.

This is the beginning of what looks like an entertaining series. I love the humorous relationship between the two men. Allan loves music from the 60s ... there are numerous singers and bands mentioned.. as his father was a member of a band in that era.

I like how there are stories .. usually told by Allan ... about his background... how he got to where he is and where he found Niddrie. There's also an ex-wife and a teenage daughter that keep him well balanced... and maybe even a new romance in the future.

Being a new author to me, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. What I got was a book full of personality. I'm keeping fingers crossed we see more of the 'detective with a difference' in the near future.

Many thanks to the author / Black & White Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of VERMIN. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
This new addition to Scottish noir is a very engaging read. Allan Linton used to be a journalist on the only major paper in Dundee, but after a dispute with the owners he is now a private detective with a lot of time on his hands. When an expensively dressed, well-spoken Englishman walks into his office and asks him to find a young woman named Tina Lamont who may have once lived in Dundee, he is initially reluctant, but needs the cash being offered. The problem is that Lamont is probably not her real name and the only clue he has is a photo of a girl wearing a school uniform. Things spiral out of control when a body turns up and Linton and his motley crew of helpers find themselves battling with some serious London criminals.
Graham writes very well and the story flows along at a good pace, although not a lot happens. Linton’s reflections, musical tastes and personal life are interesting, and Graham gives you a good sense of life in Dundee. Flashbacks take up a lot of the book, as Graham sets up Linton’s backstory and his various relationships. There is a flash of action at the end, and a neat tie-in to the book's Prologue, but the book does not extrude suspense. Overall, I enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more about Linton, but hopefully with a more substantial crime story next time.

Graham is a writer to watch in Scottish crime fiction. He has written a taut thriller that is engrossing!!

I read the synopsis for ‘Vermin’ and I was immediately intrigued. It sounded just my kind of read. I was not to be disappointed as I absolutely loved it but more about that in a bit.
I couldn’t help but take to Allan Linton, who is the main character in this book. He is a former crime reporter on his local newspaper, who has put his investigative skills to other uses and he is now a private investigator. His main case is to find a missing girl called Tina Lamont. Only it’s not a straightforward case is it? Linton only has a photograph of her to work with. He isn’t sure that Tina Linton is her proper name nor is he sure that she hails from Dundee. Added to this is the fact that Linton is not the only person who is looking for her. The case becomes dangerous when it emerges that a crime family from London are also after her- but why? Linton has other matters on his mind too. He has to deal with his ex-wife and his daughter is the subject of unwarranted sexual advances from the captain of the rugby team. You could certainly say that Linton has a hell of a lot on his plate. Will Linton find ‘Tina Lamont’? Will Linton survive to the end of the book? Is his daughter safe? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out because I am not going to tell you.
Well it’s definitely true that the story starts in a way that certainly grabs your attention and ensures that you will remember the book for a long while to come. Or at least that’s what I found. There’s a prologue featuring an MP with a flatulence problem. I found myself addicted to reading the book from that moment forward. The more I read, the more I got into the story and the quicker the pages turned. In fact it was almost as if the pages were turning themselves and before I knew what was happening I had finished the book, which I was disappointed about. I just wanted the book to continue because I was enjoying it so much. I binge read the book over the course of one day. The book isn’t particularly long but that doesn’t affect the story, which is neatly complete. The story is relatively fast paced and the pace is maintained throughout..
The book is extremely well written. The story is told in two different ways. The story takes part in the present day but certain chapters as well as telling the present day story, do refer to events that happened in the past and help to explain what happened to get to that point and to explain whey certain characters behave in the way that they do. This way of telling the story works really well and the story flows seamlessly.
‘Vermin’ is the sort of book that I needed to pick up today. I was in need of a distraction for various reasons and this book was certainly a distraction. There was a strong main plot with a couple of subplots, there were fabulous and believable characters, there was drama, there was action, there was crime and what I especially loved was the fact that there is a strong vein of humour running throughout the book. I know that might not sound right to some people, given that it is a crime book and it’s supposed to be serious but there were certain moments that intentionally made me laugh out loud. I suppose it’s what you might call a type of ‘Gallows Humour’.
In short I really, really, really enjoyed reading ‘Vermin’ and I sincerely hope that we see more of Allan Linton in future books. I would definitely recommend this author and his book to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.

This book is a really good read. Set in atmospheric Dundee this is a fast paced read with a lot of action and detail thrown in. Allan is a private investigator and he is asked to find Tina Lamont. This is not a straightforward case. I liked the characters in this book and their back stories. They all felt believable. I would definitely recommend this book and I hope there are more in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Vermin
By William A. Graham

Here is a very different private detective story – enjoyably so!

William Graham has written an engaging and easy to read mystery story.

As a reader we are not overloaded with characters, which allows Graham to develop some depth into the characters, showing a human story to them with short backfilling history asides.

The Plot centres around private detective Allan Linton, who generally makes up the rules as he progresses. This time he is hired to track down a missing girl. But there is more to the story that it seems.

All he's got to go on is an old photo and the help – and hindrance – of the city's biggest drug dealer and his eccentric associate Niddrie.

An enjoyable story that leaves you wanting more.

#Vermin #NetGalley
www.books-reviewed.weebly.com

Allan Linton was a journalist but by pure chance he is now a private investigator. He works with a guy named Niddrie who he met on a bus one day. The camaraderie and rapport between these two is very entertaining. You can't help liking them and routing for them.
A man called Carter gives them an old photograph and asked to track this girl down. Calling in favours he finally tracks the girl down, unfortunately his troubles have only just begun. They have visitors from London who are also looking for the girl. Carter's body turns up and things go downhill from then.
It is up to Allan with the help of his part time side kick Niddrieand a little help from old clients they need to save the girl and protect his family.
If you Stuart McBride you will like this book. A good crime thriller.
I would like to thank the author William A. Graham, Black& WHITE Publishing and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Black and White Publishing for an advance copy of Vermin, the first novel to feature Dundee based PI Allan Linton.

When Mr Carter offers Allan Linton a substantial amount and even more on completion to find a young woman called Tina Lamont who hails from Dundee but has disappeared he takes the job despite the only clue being a photograph of her in school uniform. Enlisting the help of his associate, Niddrie, he sets to work but it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I thoroughly enjoyed Vermin which has a good plot, some unexpected twists and a healthy slug of humour. It made me laugh and held my attention throughout so I read it in one sitting, loathe to put it down. The novel is narrated in the first person by Allan Linton so the reader gets a birds eye view of the case, his history and his take on life and as he has a mostly upbeat approach it is very entertaining.

Allan is a lovely man (for a former journalist) being honourable, honest and self deprecating. He has plenty of friends and the invaluable skill of taking them at face value so, for example, he doesn't know Niddrie's other name or where he lives. This and the wisecracking may make him seem inept but he's smart enough to solve his cases and maintain client confidentiality. His take on life is a joy to read and the story of his failed marriage had me in stitches.

The plot is well done with Allan doing his gumshoe impression with not much result but it soon takes a more serious turn when there is a murder, the first of many twists. He soon finds himself out of his depth but, ever resourceful, he finds solutions. It's not all go from start to finish but Allan's voice keeps it interesting.

Vermin is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.