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Val McDermid has used her time in lockdown productively, creating 1979 - the first in what will be a new series, featuring Glasgow-based investigative journalist Allie Burns as its heroine.
1979 fits the historical crime/mystery genre, set entirely in the titular year, over 40 years ago - in her acknowledgements (contained within the print edition), the author discusses the challenges of writing fiction set in an "historical" period that is still well within living memory for many readers. Val McDermid has undertaken significant research to ensure that her book is immersed in accurate details of its time, including characters' attitudes, prevailing political conditions, and music and film references. That said, this is no kitschy nostalgia-fest - while the late 20th century was in many respects a simpler time, the challenges the characters face highlight a few of the ways that society has advanced in the last 40 years. But the music was great! (Val McDermid helpfully includes her late-70s playlist at the end of the print edition - a device she used to immerse herself in the feel of 1979 Scotland while writing).
Briefly, the plot follows the protagonist, twenty-something journalist Alison "Allie" Burns, employed by the (fictional) Glasgow Daily Clarion, as she works on a couple of career-boosting stories with colleague and friend Danny Sullivan. One story revolves around a dodgy tax evasion scam, the exposure of which has some serious personal consequences for Danny. The other springs from Allie's observation of a Scottish pro-nationalist group's meetings, uncovering a nascent cell of activists who favour violence as a means of gaining political traction. Danny and Allie find themselves crossing paths with an IRA-affiliated active cell based in Glasgow, with all the potential risk that entails. When a violent death hits close to home, Allie must use all her investigative skills to peel back the layers of intrigue and identify a merciless killer.
McDermid has clearly drawn on her own experience as a news journalist over the timeframe in which the book is set, and it shows. The newsroom scenes virtually leap off the page as the characters competitively seek out breaking stories, protect sources, call in favours and battle to get their copy past the in-house lawyer.
In terms of perspective and subject-matter, 1979 is a literary side-step from Val McDermid's two best-known crime series, one featuring Psychologist Dr. Tony Hill and D.C.I. Carol Jordan (adapted into the award-winning ITV series The Wire in the Blood), the other D.C.I. Karen Pirie. However, long-term fans like myself will recall her 1990s era Lindsay Gordan series, which also featured a female investigative journalist as the main protagonist.
I found Allie to be a well-conceived and three-dimensional heroine, and found the (comparatively recent) historical setting and political themes enthralling. This was a cracking good read, with several unexpected twists along the way and a satisfying conclusion convincingly presented in newspaper copy style.
I'd highly recommend 1979 to new and existing fans of the Queen of Crime, Val McDermid. While this title doesn't quite fit the same mould as many of her other books, her signature complex plotting and well-developed characters make 1979 a rewarding and stimulating read. I can't wait to read future instalments in the Allie Burns series!