The Papers of Tony Veitch
 First edition | |
| Author | William McIlvanney |
|---|---|
| Series | Laidlaw #2 |
| Publisher | Hodder and Stoughton |
Publication date | 1983 |
| ISBN | 0340229071 |
| Preceded by | Laidlaw (novel) |
| Followed by | Strange Loyalties |
The Papers of Tony Veitch is a crime novel by William McIlvanney. This book is the second in the series featuring the character Laidlaw.[1] This series of books is recognised as the foundation of the Tartan Noir genre.[2]
Plot
[edit]Jack Laidlaw visits the deathbed of an alcoholic vagrant, Eck Adamson, who provides a cryptic last message which helps solve the murder of a gangland thug and the disappearance of a student. In the process, Laidlaw uncovers widespread corruption.
Eck Adamson appears in the last Laidlaw novel about Laidlaw’s early career: The Dark Remains. He is an informer for Jack Laidlaw, who says "I know the streets, but Eck here has a doctorate and any number of diplomas." He is described as "anything between thirty and sixty and probably had no more than a decade left in him without a radical change of lifestyle," as he knocks back two large rums with a pint of Guinness in between.
Editions
[edit]The book was first published in 1983 by Hodder & Staughton, and was reissued on 3 June 2013 by Canongate Books.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Dickson, Beth. "William McIlvanney's Laidlaw Novels". The Association for Scottish Literary Studies. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ Massie, Allan (25 May 2013). "Scotland's master of crime is also its Camus". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "The Papers of Tony Veitch". Canongate. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
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