Published by Matador,
28 May 2017.
ISBN: 978-178803668-9
Walter Bain is the
self-appointed dictator of the tenement at 13 Oldberry Road in Glasgow’s
cosmopolitan West End. For 35 years Walter has imposed his self-styled ‘family
values’ upon his neighbours with rosters for cleaning the stairs, a regimented
order on noise, and timetables for the movement of wheelie bins. While most of
his neighbours appreciate that there needs to be co-operation so that the flats
stay in good order, it is Walter’s bombastic approach that rubs everyone up the
wrong way. Even the police and council are not exempt from Walter’s badgering
with his persistent nuisance calls. Walter is like a terrier with a bone and no
one is capable of standing up to his relentless tyranny. So, when Walter is
found dead everyone breathes a sigh of relief.
The novel follows the back stories of each of the
neighbours whose lives have been dramatically affected, or ruined, by Walter
Bain. Told in a variety of ways, including diary form, the reader learns about
the main suspects and how Walter Bain’s bullying grinds everyone down, what he
is capable of, and ultimately his lack of humanity. In fact, none of the main
suspects has reason not to kill Walter Bain.
This isn’t the usual ‘whodunnit’ with clues scattered
throughout. It is more of an exploration of the true character of the dead man
and the main suspects, what has led up to his death and why those around him
are glad to see the back of him. It comes as no surprise when the killer is
revealed. The only real question is why no one bumped him off sooner.
It is probably not a book for those who like the more
formulaic crime novels but written with a dry sense of humour, Close Quarters has a cosy, farcical,
stage-like quality that I really enjoyed. I found it funny and poignant.
------
Angus
McAllister originally qualified as a solicitor and practised law
for several years, before becoming an academic for the rest of his
career. In 2013, he retired from his post as Professor of Law at the
University of the West of Scotland to concentrate full time on writing fiction.
He has written several legal textbooks and a number of legal articles, but also
wrote fiction from an early age.
Christine Hammacott lives
near Southampton and runs her own design consultancy. She started her career
working in publishing as a book designer and now creates covers for
indie-authors. She writes page-turning fiction that deals with the
psychological effects of crime. Her debut novel The Taste of Ash was published in 2015.
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