Strange Loyalties is a 1991 crime novel by William McIlvanney. This book is the third in the series featuring the character Laidlaw.[1] This series of books is recognised as the foundation of the Tartan Noir genre.[2]

Strange Loyalties
First edition
AuthorWilliam McIlvanney
SeriesLaidlaw #3
PublisherHodder & Stoughton
Publication date
1991
Pages281
ISBN9780340533789
Preceded byThe Papers of Tony Veitch 
Followed byThe Dark Remains 

Plot

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The novel centres around the death of Jack Laidlaw's brother Scott (a teacher) who is run over by a car. Laidlaw is faced with an emotional journey to the depths of Glasgow's underworld and his own past, to discover the truth, finds out as much about himself as his brother.

Style

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Unlike the first two novels in this series, Strange Loyalties is written as a first-person narrative.[3]

Editions

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The book was first published in 1991 by Hodder & Stoughton, and was reissued on 3 June 2013 by Canongate.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Dickson, Beth. "William McIlvanney's Laidlaw Novels". The Association for Scottish Literary Studies. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  2. ^ Massie, Allan (25 May 2013). "Scotland's master of crime is also its Camus". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  3. ^ Peacock, James (2013). "Divided Loyalties, Changing Landscapes: William McIlvanney's Laidlaw Novels". English: Journal of the English Association. 62 (236): 69–86. doi:10.1093/english/eft001. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Strange Loyalties". Canongate. Retrieved 2 August 2013.