Commentary/review

A small celebration around my ability to understand Scottish English, in the making for 20+ years. I doubt that I will ever need all the regional swear words, colloquial phrases and Police jargon, which does not mean that I did not enjoy every minute of this marathon. I read one of the newer MacBride novels previously (see A Dark So Deadly).

Stuart MacBride is a fascinating author. Initially (early novels) the stories are very grim. They are not very much unlike other Scottish crime novels from early 2000s but are more grim than most classic Scandinavian crime novels – which is an achievement. It takes some practice for a sensitive reader to get used to.

From the beginning, the main character is in a constant state of moral conflict. He is also perpetually overqualified for the job of his choice and often wanted for a different one. He appears vulnerable but often acts like a classic role model. His contemplations are either disconnected from his decisions or are deliberately hidden from the reader. The Scottish nation holds particular standards for chivalry, honour and professional conduct, a feature clearly standing out as a kind of benchmark in the McRae saga.

The books are also notoriously funny, especially the newer productions. The transition from the Grim MacBride to Hilarious MacBride is gentle but clearly visible. The latest books have the distinct feel of a work by a seasoned comedian, adding a degree of predictability (not really a bad thing when you need comedy like water).

There is also the feature of something I would call the “Time-Oriented Detail”; every now and then, the Author provides a very detailed description of an object or experience, like elements of architecture or a badly working piece of technology. These descriptions are so detailed that they may have documentary, perhaps even ethnographic value concerning certain aspects of life of our generation.

Obviously, I love the word plays, as much as can decipher them.

The books contain a relatively early, very positive representation of members of the LGBT community.

All novels are a treat for the voice actors, provided they possess all of the required skills. My favourite narrators: Steve Worsley and Lesley Harcourt.

The covers are all over the place but still seem coherent, which is puzzling.

Cover Photo by martin bennie on Unsplash