An expertly written gritty novel which truly brings its characters to life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

New author for me. I enjoyed this book. It was well written and kept me gripped all the way through. Being from Glasgow and a teenager in the sixties it brought back memories of “Bible John “ who was never caught.
A lead detective with his own flaws in that era brings a new dimension on the backstory. I would recommend this novel and would read his other books.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

I started to like this book then got a wee bit bored then it picked up again and I couldn't wait to see if the killer was caught.I loved the fact it was set in Glasgow with street names and descriptions I recognised.
The story was set in 1969 and follows the murder of three women who had been at the dancing and picked up by a man. It was interesting to see how the police dealt with information and investigation in the days before the advanced procedure we have now.
There is also the sub plot of a robbery and the police get caught up in this and it gets mixed up in the murder inquiry.
Tense,gripping and worth a read.

This is crime fiction at it's best. Set in 1969 Glasgow, the sense of place is excellent, the characters, clothes, language all breath that era. It is dark, there are brutal rapes and murders and very dubious policing but the characters are alive, the plot works with its twists and turns and the writing is superb. It reminded me a little of Adrian McKinty's books set in 70's Ireland in its sense of time and place but both have their own unique and readable styles. I was kept enthralled from the beginning, grateful not to still be in that era but enjoying the style and dash that The Quaker evoked. A great read, I look forward to more.

Really enjoyed this book and can see the main character coming back in future books. Lots of twists, a bit of historical interest and plenty of Glasgow.

I recommend this chilling crime novel from Liam Mcllvanney.

This is the first book I have read from this author, it will not be the last.

The author keeps the reader hooked, turning pages quicker and quicker to keep up with the plot as he takes us through the streets of Glasgow.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

With the Frieda Klein series coming to an end and Ian Rankin’s Rebus not getting any younger, there’s more than enough space for a new detective series and on the basis of this excellent DI Duncan McCormack more than fits the bill. Set in Glasgow in the late 60s, McCormack is sent into an established team to find out why they haven’t caught the Quaker. The Quaker is a brutal killer of young women, stalking the dance floors of Glasgow for his victims. Three women have been found dead already and the team is without clues or direction. At first openly resentful of McCormack, the team slowly comes to realise that he might just have the lead that’s eluded them.

This is an excellent book. The plot is absorbing and loosely based on the real life Bible John killer who not only terrorised Scotland but the whole of the UK with a series of killings. The author mixes this storyline in with a sub plot about a heist where one of the gang members gets pinpointed as a suspect in the Quaker killings. This gives the book an extra air of menace and is an interesting counterpoint to the procedural elements of the book. The deeper McCormack digs the more the revelations and twists rise to the surface and the final third of the book is deftly paced and as gripping as any crime novel I’ve read. There’s plenty of scope for this character and I hope the author feels the same. I’ll be first in line for the next in the series and eagerly await its publication. Recommended for anyone looking to start a new series.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair review.

Having been brought up near Glasgow in the 50's and 60's, there were some very familiar names and venues mentioned. I even went to the Barrowland and a few of the other dance halls in Glasgow in the 60's. Very dark and spell binding and very much a tale of it's time and the attitudes to women then. Fabulously written and the detective's determination that the truth would prevail kept me guessing till the very end. Would definitely read more from this author.in the future.

The Quaker was a riveting read. A very carefully crafted story which engaged the reader on many levels. After reading the book it made me consider if there really was a ‘bigger picture’ where there was a symbiotic relationship between elements of organised crime and the police. I would hope not but fear it possibly is. Pragmatically, if nature abhors a vacuum then there will always be pretenders to the criminal throne but there may be advantages in having stability. Having said that I’m glad McGlashan and Levein got their comeuppance albeit with McCormack paying the price. My only criticism was with Paton. A clever individual who always seemed a step ahead of the police, I wonder why he didn’t escape to the Spanish Costa’s? The Scottish vocabulary was a bit of a challenge at times too.

There's been a murder! Well 3 of them actually and what a great book this was as it unpeeled the various layers to find out who was responsible. Lots of twists to keep you enthralled even more!

Very reminiscent of the Bible John murders in 1960s Glasgow this is a super read. A broken city and broken lives (not just those who lose theirs) reflects the thoughts and ideas of the time Which makes you stop and realise just how much has changed ...and what stays the same. A page turning, engrossing crime novel which has me looking out for the McIlvanney name again

An interesting enough read despite the rather convenient inspirations coming to the main character. It was all rather depressing in the end.

Set in Glasgow a serial killer has everyone bamboozled..Why are young woman being targeted, what is the gangland connection. Lots of twists and turns.

EXCEPTIONAL - SERIAL MURDER INVESTIGATION SET IN THE 1960’s:
Liam McIlvanney’s “The Quaker” is an outstanding crime novel. Set in Glasgow in the 1960’s, the novel is an absolute treat to read. This is the story of the hunt for a serial killer who’s been given the moniker “The Quaker” by the popular press.
The novel is set in an era without access to CCTV, Computers or DNA. The only records were paper records with no easy means of checking and cross-referencing data.
Similar in many ways to the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper: Peter Sutcliffe was interviewed on more than one occasion and cleared each time of involvement in the Yorkshire murders. Sutcliffe was caught by pure good fortune. That investigation was also hampered by the absence of forensic and analytical technology now widely available to assist crime investigations. Not to forget the proliferation of CCTV cameras.
As the hunt for The Quaker progresses, the volume of paper records reaches unbelievable levels. Impossible to assimilate. With no breakthroughs on the horizon, D I McCormack is sent in by the top brass to review the conduct of the investigation and its routes of enquiry: are the unbelievably large team investigating the murder likely to find the killer? Can a fresh face and mind suggest a new approach. Could a weary police department be tempted to convict the wrong person just to satisfy media and public pressure? McCormack receives a hostile reception by the team investigating the Quaker killings, but he is to become as obsessed, as those he is meant to be assessing, in catching the killer.
Boasting an excellent plot, based very loosely I assumed on the real Bible John murders, this is a meticulously researched novel. I was a kid in the West of Scotland during the Sixties and can testify to the authenticity of many of the issues the novel raises, and the accuracy of the geography, attitudes and discrimination described.
This novel is McIlvanney’s fourth published novel and I felt that the characterisation, which is excellent, leaves open the possibility of a sequel.
The novel is a rarity in that it successfully combines a history of Glasgow, as was, and a great crime plot. Read and learn about the Glasgow of the 1960’s and marvel at how much attitudes have changed in the space of half a century.

Brilliant old style detective book set in 1960's Glasgow.
Very gritty and keeps you hooked from the first page.
If you like police crime thrillers with abit of everything thrown in then I'd recommend this book.
I'll be recommending it!

A great and gritty detective crime novel that will keep you guessing until the very end!

Set in Glasgow (in 1969) we follow the tale of 'The Quaker', a serial killer who acquires this nickname because of the religious theme surrounding the death of the women he has killed. The story is told through the eyes of the main protagonist, DI McCormack, who is seconded from the Flying Squad and assigned the task of reviewing the investigation. In real terms this means 'shut it down'; - because despite the amount of time, finances and manpower expended - the Police still have no clue who the killer is. This creates a hostile working environment for McCormack from the other officers from the outset, while we follow McCormack through the gritty streets of Glasgow as he hunts the killer who has left women in fear.

While this is happening, a group of criminals are conspiring to carry out a robbery and while this event seems unrelated, we later find out that there may be a link that brings them closer to finding out who the killer is but under the watchful eye of the well-known Glasgow Gangster no one wants to talk. Meanwhile, McCormack is hiding secrets of his own that may come to light.

The story moves quite slowly for the first part of the book. It doesn't seem that much is happening and for a long time it seems that we are following the protagonist and his daily interactions, and a separate group of characters with no purpose. It definitely picks up about half-way through the book and as another murder occurs and possible links are established the hunt for the killer is on!

We get to see McCormack's true character, which is a mix of vulnerability, and his gritty determination to investigate despite the obstacles being thrown in his way. Through good old fashioned and pain staking detective work, he sets about bringing the killer to justice.. The plot and structure are both well developed and the high pace continues right up until the conclusion. There's a few surprises at the end when the killer is finally revealed and the conclusion has a different outcome than you would expect with most detective novels (which is a good thing).

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC.

Set in the Glasgow of 1969 The Quaker shows a dark city beset by gang violence. Three women have been murdered. The police seem to have hit a wall & the media is giving them a hard time. Duncan McCormack- a detective doing great things in the Flying Squad is sent to the station trying to solve the case to see if everything has been done correctly & if the investigation should be scaled down. This was not a job that was going to make him popular!

Although Duncan had been unwilling to leave his previous investigation he soon becomes embroiled in the case of The Quaker he begins to believe that there may be more than murder involved, that it involves corruption in many levels.

This was an atmospheric read. Hopefully the behaviour & attitudes of the police has improved a great deal in the nearly fifty years that has passed from when this book was set. Glasgow has certainly got a better image nowadays! I found Duncan an engaging character, battling his own demons whilst trying to do the right thing. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on at the Met!

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I always enjoy books by Liam McIlvanney and this did not disappoint. Set in 1969 Glasgow and based loosely on a real case, The plot is fast moving and the book divided into four parts with great characterisation. A bit slow to start but don't let that put you off reading this gritty crime novel with roots in a true case from the 1960's. I would recommend this book. A very good read. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy. reviews on Amazon, Facebook and Goodreads.

Excellent detective story. I thoroughly enjoyed following McCormack’s journey to catch the killer, teaming up with the unlikely Goldie. This was a real gritty murder story with elements of gangland brutality and police corruption. Although the crimes were undoubtedly unpleasant, there was never really a focus on details.

I’ll definitely read more by Liam McIlvanney.

This is the first book that I have read by Liam McIlvanney and I really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the writing style. I read this book in one sitting. I was gripped from the start. The book is set in atmospheric Glasgow and that made everything more real and easy to visualise. The plot was complicated and really well thought out. I thought it was totally credible. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.