Margaret Thatcher is still the source for much angst, particularly in the past with things like war, nuclear, and coal miners. Although not the source or basis for Brookmyre’s debut novel, it nevertheless touches on the bitterness felt with the Tories still in power in the early 90s, even with Thatcher ousted thanks to her introduction of the poll tax.

The Tories are presented as capitalist opportunists, which you could argue is a basis of fact rather than suggestion. This atmosphere and implication is the source for one of the most dispicable characters in Quite Ugly One Morning. The fat slob, smoking a cigar, enjoying his weekly Razzle in his marble finished bathroom.

Then we have the other extreme of the peasent-like, working class accomplice who bends to his masters every whim as and when needed, particularly when he doesn’t want to get his own hands dirty. Class plays a suibjective role with some of the characters, even when supporting characters are used, the language differs as the role moves higher up the chain.

The main character, Parlabane is the likeable rogue journo-cum-detective that women love, and guys want to be. Bravado aside, he is a man of many talents, and having been burnt by people himself, as well having to run for his life, he’s more than a little street wise.

Implicated in the murder of a member of prestigious doctor, Parlabane becomes involved in more than he can handle by himself. Befriending the late spouse of the doctor, the two go on a Cagney and Lacey-esque journey to find the source of all that is death and murder, and to prove Parlabane’s innocence.

Implicated in the murder of a member of prestigious doctor, Parlabane becomes involved in more than he can handle by himself

Quite Ugly One Morning is a violent thriller of the sadistic kind. The opening chapter involves floods of urine, spew and faeces, the descriptions as graphic as they are memorable. The mutilation and murder of Dr Ponsonby doesn’t get away with being just a murder either, as we’re given a detailed account of what’s missing, what’s been gutted and how it probably happened, all within a room full of waste that you really don’t want to be ankle deep in.

Although I enjoyed the book, I was quite sure of the Scottish angle, and it didn’t feel particularly genuine in any case. The characters may have a light dialect that echoes Scottish, but there was nothing particularly Scottish about the characters.

If anything most, if not all, talked with a dialect more suited to Southern England than Northern Scotland. Apart from this slightly disingenious element, Quite Ugly One Morning is an absorbing thriller which keeps the reader engaged thanks to some sharp wit and likeable characters.

Verdict: Enjoyable, violent thriller with just a hint of Scottishness