1979 : an Allie Burns novel

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Title:

1979 : an Allie Burns novel

Alternate title:

Nineteen seventy-nine

Author:

McDermid, Val, author.

Series:

Allie Burns ;

Series Number:

Summary:

The year started badly and only got worse—blizzards, strikes, power cuts, and political unrest were the norm. For investigative journalist Allie Burns, however, someone else’s bad news was the unmistakable sound of opportunity knocking, and 1979 is ripe with possibilities. But Allie is a woman in what is still a man’s world. Desperate to get away from the “women's stories” the Glasgow desk keeps assigning her, she strikes up an alliance with wannabe investigative journalist Danny Sullivan. From the start, their stories create enemies. First an international tax fraud, then a potential Scottish terrorist group aiming to cause mayhem ahead of an impending referendum. And then Danny is found murdered in his flat. For Allie, investigative journalism just got personal. The debut of an intense new series, 1979 is an atmospheric journey into the past with intriguing insight into the present, from a Diamond Dagger winner and multiple Edgar Award finalist.-- Amazon.com.

General Note:

"First published in Great Britain in 2021 by Little, Brown. an imprint of Hachette UK"--Title page verso.

Edition:

First Grove Atlantic hardcover edition.

Physical Description:

418 pages : 24 cm

Genre:

Thrillers (Fiction)

Corporate Subject:

Irish Republican Army -- Fiction.

Subject Term:

Women journalists -- Fiction.

Investigative reporting -- Fiction.

Newspaper publishing -- Fiction.

Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction.

Terrorism -- Fiction.

Corruption -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

Glasgow (Scotland) -- Fiction.

Publisher:

Atlantic Monthly Press,

Publication Date:

2021

ISBN:

9780802159021

Publication Information:

New York : Atlantic Monthly Press, 2021.

Call Number:

MCDERMID

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003541391	Adult Fiction	MCDERMID Val	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

Hailed as Britain's Queen of Crime, Val McDermid's award-winning, internationally bestselling novels have captivated readers for more than thirty years. Now, in 1979, she returns to the past with the story of Allie Burns, an investigative journalist whose stories lead her into world of corruption, terror, and murder.

It's only January, and the year 1979 has already brought blizzards, strikes, power cuts, and political unrest. For journalist Allie Burns, however, someone else's bad news is the unmistakable sound of opportunity knocking, an opportunity to get away from the "women's stories" her editors at the Scottish daily The Clarion keep assigning her. Striking up an alliance with budding investigative journalist Danny Sullivan, Allie begins covering international tax fraud, then a group of Scottish ultranationalists aiming to cause mayhem ahead of a referendum on breaking away from the United Kingdom. Their stories quickly get attention and create enemies for the two young up-and-comers. As they get closer to the bleeding edge of breaking news, Allie and Danny may find their lives on the line.

The first novel in a brand-new series for McDermid, 1979 is redolent of the thundering presses, hammering typewriters, and wreaths of smoke of the Clarion newsroom. An atmospheric journey into the past with much to say about the present, it is the latest suspenseful, pitch-perfect addition to Val McDermid's crime pantheon.

Author Notes

VAL MCDERMID's best-selling novels have won the Los Angeles Times Book of the Year Award, and the Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger and Cartier Diamond Dagger Award for outstanding achievement. She is also a multiple finalist for the Edgar Award, including for the Fact Crime nominee Forensics.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Set in 1979, this sterling series launch from McDermid (Still Life) introduces Allison "Allie" Burns, a new reporter for the Clarion newspaper in Glasgow. Fresh from Cambridge University, Allie impresses her colleague Danny Sullivan with her writing talent, and they become friends. The two share a desire to cover a big story rather than the lightweight pieces they're assigned. Feminism has yet to make its mark on women in the workplace, and Allie is thwarted by men in the newsroom who don't take her seriously. But Allie's star rises after Danny discovers a national money laundering scheme and he enlists her help with the investigation. She then discovers a secret IRA cell in Belfast looking for weapons, and she and Danny are caught in a dangerous situation resulting in another lead story. The mutual attraction between Allie and Clarion editor Rona Dunsyre provides some romantic heat. McDermid does an excellent job capturing a time in Scotland's history fraught with political unrest, IRA terrorism, and labor strikes that nearly paralyze the country. Fans will look forward to seeing more of the highly capable Allie. Agent: Jane Gregory, David Higham Assoc. (U.K.) (Oct.)

Library Journal Review

Eager to move beyond the women's stories her Glasgow newspaper keeps assigning her, Allie Burns begins working with aspiring investigative journalist Danny Sullivan. They find big stories, from international tax fraud to a Scottish terrorist group planning to wreak havoc before the devolution referendum. But while they make waves, they also make them enemies. Then Danny is murdered. From Cartier Diamond Dagger Award McDermid.