Stitch Up (A Best Defence Mystery) by William McIntyre #BlogTour

OK hold on everybody for MY FIRST EVER BLOG TOUR!!!!!!!!! Did I like it? Did I manage to read it in time? Did I forget to post my review when I should have done?

Yes, yes and (thankfully) no!

Stitch Up is the ninth in the Best Defence Series featuring Scottish defence lawyer Robbie Munro. As a solicitor not a policeman who successfully runs his own law firm, is recently married and has a daughter the book immediately set itself apart from your standard crime thriller.

The book begins with Robbie's ex girlfriend asking him to investigate the apparent suicide of her new boyfriend (awkward!). At the same time a convicted child-murderer is attempting to have his conviction quashed (if I remember the term correctly Mr McIntyre?) claiming Robbie's dad ex sergeant Alex Munro planted key evidence at the scene of the crime (double awkward!). I liked the two stories running along side each other which kept the pace of the book moving swiftly forwards.

In real life McIntyre is a solicitor, which clearly showed in Robbie whose knowledge of the legal system was spot on without being laborious. Robbie was humorous (the Fast Action Response Team line being a prime example) and willing to break the rules a little bit when the need arose, which was frequent as a result of his dad's actions.  

McIntyre is also Scottish which again was reflected in the book. I'm still not sure exactly what "neds" and "shoogly" mean and can now name several whiskies should a pub quiz so require me. I loved the fact McIntyre didn't shy away from the Scottish-ness which again made it stand out from other Americanised books in the same genre.  

Whilst the inclusion of a wife and child was unusual, Robbie's wife did conveniently disappear for three weeks and his daughter, Tina, was often palmed off at convenient moments. I didn't like how Robbie pushed for Tina to call his new wife "mum". As a mum I found this slightly insensitive although I confess I haven't read the back story to this relationship and it did provide a nice ending to Tina/Joanna's part in the story. The supporting cast in general are excellent additions ranging from the cafe owner and secretary right through to Robbie's father providing humour, warmth and a depth to Robbie's character that is missing in so many other lead characters in this genre who are flying solo.  

It is book nine in the series but I found it easy to read as a stand alone novel and think Robbie has plenty of cases yet left in the tank. If you enjoy this you can also read McIntyre's back catalogue starting with Relatively Guilty.

Phew! First Blog Tour.................done!

The link above for the book takes you to Broadhurst Bookshop in Southport.  My copy of the book was very kindly supplied by the lovely people at Sandstone Press in return for an honest review.