Book reviews

Bloody January

Alan Parks Alan Parks’ debut is the first in a new series of Scottish noir novels. Taking us straight into the dark, grimy streets of 1970s Glasgow, we’re introduced to police detective Harry McCoy and his new apprentice, Wattie. Highly cynical and unethical, antihero McCoy has an on-off relationship with prostitute Janey and is complicit with crime boss Stevie Cooper, an old reformatory school friend. Investigating a series of murders leads McCoy deep into a secret high-society sex and drug ring. Dark and violent, Bloody January embraces the brutal, offering an authentic and gritty account of Glaswegian crime. 9/10

An Almost Perfect Christmas

Nina Stibbe If you’re a festive nay-sayer, or just fraught with concern that the big day won’t go off without a hitch, Nina Stibbe is here to tell you... it doesn’t matter, anyway! A collection of anecdotal short stories from award-nominated author of Love, Nina brings into focus the joy, insanity and chaos of the festive season – with witty tales on department store Santas, gift giving and Christmas pudding. Come along on Nina’s journey through a life of disappointing turkey, re-gifted presents, music to make your ears bleed and bald Christmas trees. It’s a frantic, imperfect journey but at the heart is a surprisingly warm message from the often cynical writer that whatever you eat/do/get, it’s about making the effort and being together. A sarcastic, frank and hilarious depiction of the modern Christmas. 8/10

The Princess Diarist

Carrie Fisher Before she died in December 2016, Carrie Fisher discovered some of the diaries she had written as a 19-yearold during the filming of Star Wars, and her first turn as Princess Leia. She also happened to fall into a brief affair with the married Harrison Ford during production. Fans hoping to learn more about the filming will be disappointed, bar her insights into a few costuming and hairstyling decisions. Instead this memoir – the paperback version, timely issued to coincide with the latest, and Carrie’s last, Star Wars film – offers the insecurities and dreams of a 19-year-old in poetry and an unfiltered stream of consciousness, angsting about loving someone who clearly isn’t perfect, because they can’t see through her. It is also a look at the impact of fame on her life and the impositions of fans that come with it. Her trademark witty one liners are sprinkled through the book, but their payoff feels insufficient to fully balance out the rest. 7/10