The Long Drop: A Novel

THE LONG DROP was this author's first attempt at writing true crime. This is the story of Peter Manuel and the murder of three women in the family of William Watt. In the beginning, Glasgow police held William Watt as the prime suspect in the killings. Watt determines to clear his own name since the police don't seem interested in looking any further for the real killer. When he reaches out asking for information, he receives a letter from Peter Manuel. He claims he knows who the killer is, demands a huge sum of money ... but then he's known to be a liar. So is he telling the truth this time? Or is this another play for money? Manuel wants a sit-down meeting with Watt and soon enough, the drinking gets out of hand and the two men spend a long night in many bars and clubs. The next time the unlikely pair meets is across the witness stand in court--where Manuel is on trial for the murder of Watt's family. Manuel calls Watt to the stand to testify about the long, shady night they shared together. And the shocking testimony that Manuel coaxes out of Watt threatens to expose the dark hearts of the guilty...and the innocent. This is a look at crime in 1950s Glasgow. It's dark and dreary. None of the characters have any redeeming qualities .. and they just weren't likeable. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed her writing. This one was just a miss for me. Many thanks to the author / Little, Brown and Company / Netgalley for the digital copy of THE LONG DROP. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.