Strange Loyalties cover art

Strange Loyalties

Laidlaw Trilogy, Book 3

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Strange Loyalties

By: William McIlvanney
Narrated by: Mark Bonnar
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About this listen

When his brother dies stepping out in front of a car, Detective Jack Laidlaw is determined to find out what really happened.

With corrosive wit, Laidlaw relates an emotional quest through Glasgow's underworld, and into the past. He discovers as much about himself as the loved brother he has lost in a search that leads to a shattering climax.

©2019 William McIlvanney (P)2019 Canongate Books Ltd Crime Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Fiction Crime

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All stars
Most relevant  
So unrelentingly dark. It felt like a 8 hour conversation with the a morose drunk.

As, ever brilliantly narrated. I preferred the previous books, leavened with some Glasgow wit

The Least Good

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A truly gripping story heart wrenchingly honest and written so beautifully and poetically that you want to stop listening regularly just to absorb the intensity and density of imagery within the writing. Some might describe it as grim and depressing, relieved only by the pepperings of dark Glaswegian humour, there were times when I felt this was the case but on reflection and having completed the book I understand the profound messages it conveys about our human state. I feel a better person for having read it.
The narration was perfect.

Brilliant

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I've only come across this in 2025, all I can say is it's never too late to discover a masterpiece

Outstanding

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The third part of the trilogy is a different fish, as Laidlaw investigates (unofficially) the death of his brother, which may or may not, have been suicide. Or were the usual cast of thugs and thieves responsible?

Enjoyable end to the trilogy

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You'll know what to expect with this if you've read the first 2. Bonnar is a great narrator.

A great story

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This audiobook was my introduction to the great William MacIllvanney. He takes description of a thought , person or scene beyond adjectives. Mark Bonnar was the perfect narrator and I wish he had been chosen to narrate all of his books.

Excellently written and narrated

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William McIlvanney is a wonderful writer, he presents a masterclass in descriptive writing once again, enhanced by an excellent narrator. Read all three of his Laidlaw books and would recommend without hesitation.

A masterclass in descriptive writing

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I found this overlong with too much introspection. it's still a good novel and I love Mark Bonnar's narration.

Not as good as the previous two.

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Wow! What an ending to the Jack Laidlaw trilogy. Having listened to both the previous books in this series - enjoyable, but not outstanding - I'm so glad I continued to the third. Beautifully written and brilliantly read, this is a strong thriller with interesting characters, believable motivations and philosophical insight.
Would recommend.

Quite the finale

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People surveying people, excellent. It’s not so much that I can write a 15 word minimum description of this book, it’s that it took place at all.

Life

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