The Papers of Tony Veitch explained

Italic Title:(see above) -->
The Papers of Tony Veitch
Author:William McIlvanney
Series:Laidlaw #2
Publisher:Hodder and Stoughton
Pub Date:1983
Isbn:0340229071
Preceded By:Laidlaw (novel)
Followed By:Strange Loyalties

The Papers of Tony Veitch is a crime novel by William McIlvanney. This book is the second in the series featuring the character Laidlaw.[1] This series of books is recognised as the foundation of the Tartan Noir genre.[2]

Plot

Jack Laidlaw visits the deathbed of an alcoholic vagrant, Eck Adamson, who provides a cryptic last message which helps solve the murder of a gangland thug and the disappearance of a student. In the process, Laidlaw uncovers widespread corruption.

Eck Adamson appears in the last Laidlaw novel about Laidlaw’s early career: The Dark Remains. He is an informer for Jack Laidlaw, who says "I know the streets, but Eck here has a doctorate and any number of diplomas." He is described as "anything between thirty and sixty and probably had no more than a decade left in him without a radical change of lifestyle," as he knocks back two large rums with a pint of Guinness in between.

Editions

The book was first published in 1983 by Hodder & Staughton, and was reissued on 3 June 2013 by Canongate Books.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dickson. Beth. William McIlvanney's Laidlaw Novels. The Association for Scottish Literary Studies. 2 August 2013.
  2. News: Massie. Allan. Scotland's master of crime is also its Camus. 2 August 2013. The Telegraph. 25 May 2013.
  3. Web site: The Papers of Tony Veitch. Canongate. 2 August 2013.