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2025 McIlvanney Prize (longlist)
Inspired by the true story of a secret mission taken during World War II, Gunner is the atmospheric, exciting start of a suspenseful new thriller series.
March 1941.
Joseph Gunner is back on the streets of Glasgow after being wounded on the front lines in France. Keeping the pain in his leg at bay with the help of morphine, Gunner, a former detective, is hoping to lie low as the Luftwaffe begins bombing Glasgow.
But when he runs into his old boss Drummond, he is persuaded to help examine a body found in the wreckage. When it turns out to be that of a German, mutilated to disguise his identity, Gunner reluctantly agrees to investigate.
As he begins to hunt for the truth Gunner runs into old flames and bitter enemies, before finding himself embroiled in a high-level conspiracy that reaches far beyond his hometown of Glasgow.
Inspired by the true story of Rudolf Hess's secret mission to broker appeasement with Britain during World War II, Gunner is a critically acclaimed new thriller from one of Britain's most admired authors.
Genre: Historical Mystery
March 1941.
Joseph Gunner is back on the streets of Glasgow after being wounded on the front lines in France. Keeping the pain in his leg at bay with the help of morphine, Gunner, a former detective, is hoping to lie low as the Luftwaffe begins bombing Glasgow.
But when he runs into his old boss Drummond, he is persuaded to help examine a body found in the wreckage. When it turns out to be that of a German, mutilated to disguise his identity, Gunner reluctantly agrees to investigate.
As he begins to hunt for the truth Gunner runs into old flames and bitter enemies, before finding himself embroiled in a high-level conspiracy that reaches far beyond his hometown of Glasgow.
Inspired by the true story of Rudolf Hess's secret mission to broker appeasement with Britain during World War II, Gunner is a critically acclaimed new thriller from one of Britain's most admired authors.
Genre: Historical Mystery
Praise for this book
"A fabulous read. I loved every minute of it. Alan's storytelling pulls the reader in from page one. Wonderful, gutsy writing. Gunner is a tremendous character, as tough as a Glaswegian shipyard hammer." - David Gilman
"Great storytelling, and a gripping insight into war-torn Glasgow - I loved it." - Peter James
"Great stuff . . . a vivid sense of place and time and what a main character!" - Ian Rankin
"A superb thriller with a gripping, constantly surprising plot, vividly realised characters and brutally authentic descriptions of both Glasgow's Blitz and the bleak realities of war on the Home Front. Parks' new series is one to watch." - Andrew Taylor
"What a fantastic start to a new series and I cannot wait to find out what Gunner does next. It's meticulously researched, but with a beautiful light touch that transports you to the streets of war-torn Glasgow and the lives of everyday folk doing their best to survive. A gritty, immersive, genuine page-turner. And what a compelling hero we have in Gunner: hardbitten, battle-scarred and far from perfect, but striving to do the right thing in a world riddled with corruption and deceit." - Bridget Walsh
"Great storytelling, and a gripping insight into war-torn Glasgow - I loved it." - Peter James
"Great stuff . . . a vivid sense of place and time and what a main character!" - Ian Rankin
"A superb thriller with a gripping, constantly surprising plot, vividly realised characters and brutally authentic descriptions of both Glasgow's Blitz and the bleak realities of war on the Home Front. Parks' new series is one to watch." - Andrew Taylor
"What a fantastic start to a new series and I cannot wait to find out what Gunner does next. It's meticulously researched, but with a beautiful light touch that transports you to the streets of war-torn Glasgow and the lives of everyday folk doing their best to survive. A gritty, immersive, genuine page-turner. And what a compelling hero we have in Gunner: hardbitten, battle-scarred and far from perfect, but striving to do the right thing in a world riddled with corruption and deceit." - Bridget Walsh
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