The Dark Remains by William McIlvanney & Ian Rankin

I'm delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for this very special book on its paperback release. The Dark Remains was begun by William McIlvanney before his death and has now been finished by Ian Rankin. Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton on behalf of Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation. I read from my own purchased copy.

The Blurb

Two crime-writing legends join forces for the first ever case of DI Laidlaw: the original gritty Glasgow detective who inspired an entire genre

William McIlvanney’s Laidlaw trilogy changed the face of crime fiction in the 1970s and 1980s, inspiring an entire generation of crime writers including Mark Billiangham, Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre – and Ian Rankin.

When McIlvanney died in 2015, he left half a handwritten manuscript of Laidlaw’s first case – his first new novel in 25 years. Now, Ian Rankin is back to finish what McIlvanney started.

In The Dark Remains, these two iconic authors bring to life the criminal world of 1970s Glasgow, and the relentless quest for truth.

'[William McIlvanney] kicked the door open so the likes of Ian Rankin,
Denise Mina and me could sneak through behind him' - Val McDermid

With his iconic Laidlaw trilogy, McIlvanney launched a new genre – introducing to the world the original Glasgow detective with a knowledge of the streets, and an equal love of alcohol and philosophy.

McIlvanney’s books fell out of print in the 1990s, and he believed himself forgotten; it was only when they were republished in 2013 to huge acclaim, that he realised the esteem in which he was held by his fellow writers. He was inspired to start writing again and began The Dark Remains – left unfinished on his death in 2015, and which Ian Rankin has now completed.

My Review

This was quite a poignant read. I didn't come to the Scottish Crime scene until after the death of William McIlvanney and have only read the first of his Laidlaw trilogy. But I know what an inspiration he was to many successful Scottish crime writers today. I have heard Ian Rankin speak a couple of times about the writing of this book - the pages and pages of hand written notes forming the basis of The Dark Remains and the responsibility Rankin felt to keep the tone right, make sure that it was still a William McIlvanney book, as a long time fan and friend. 

It's 1972 Glasgow. A dodgy lawyer is found dead and the police need to solve the crime before a gang war breaks out across the city. The Dark Remains is the prequel to the Laidlaw trilogy and introduces us to the newest member of the Glasgow Crime Squad, DC Jack Laidlaw. A cop good at the job but definitely not a team player. Laidlaw likes to work the streets and has no time for playing nice with his colleagues. 

 

Jack Laidlaw is a strong character. He's married with kids but doesn't seem particularly suited to it. He feels older than he is to me, I think because of the way he speaks. He reads a lot of philosophy and the like and speaks accordingly - not someone who fits in. He's short with his colleagues, downright rude to some of them, particularly his superior, which is entertaining. As is watching DI Milligan take it. The investigation sees Laidlaw ignore commands he feels are a waste of time and follow his own inquiries. He understands people, I think. 

The story is well written and satisfying, focusing a lot on the personalities involved. We are fully immersed in the 70s, cigarette smoke and whisky. It's very atmospheric and evocative. But what is really magic is that half the book was written by one very talented writer and finished by another years later. Half written scenes and conversations completed, sections written from original notes. And it's impossible to tell who wrote what. In fact, at one of events I mentioned above, Ian Rankin read a section from the book and asked the audience to guess which bits he wrote and which were written by McIlvanney. The majority of us got them the wrong way round! I had my copy of Laidlaw to hand when I was ready this and referred to it several times while reading this one, and the tone in the new one is the same, just so. For me, The Last Remains is a triumph and in keeping with the original books.  

The Authors

William McIlvanney is the author of the award-winning Laidlaw trilogy, featuring Glasgow’s original maverick detective. He died in December 2015.

Both Laidlaw and The Papers of Tony Veitch gained Silver Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association, while the third in the series, Strange Loyalties, won the Herald’s People’s Prize.

The McIlvanney Prize, named in his honour in 2016, is awarded annually for the best Scottish crime novel of the year.

Ian Rankin is the number one bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus series. The Rebus books have been translated into thirty-six languages and are bestsellers worldwide.

He is the recipient of four Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards, including the prestigious Diamond Dagger, and in 2002 he received an OBE for services to literature and in 2022 he was knighted. He lives in Edinburgh. You can find out more about Ian's work on his website ianrankin.net and he's also on Twitter @beathhigh.