About the book
In Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park, the bodies of two youths lie with bullet holes in their heads. Hungover, nicotine-starved and ill-attired, procurator fiscal Maddy Shannon attends the scene, unaware that this grim morning is about to spiral out of control.
The corpses have been carefully disfigured, perhaps signs of gangland revenge or, worse, ritual slayings. Motives and suspects are hard to find. It soon becomes clear that this disturbing case will hold a mirror to the government, the church and society at large. As the gruesome complexities of the investigation multiply, the fragmented story of Maddy’s immigrant ancestors – her grandfather Nono and his Great Adventure – emerges as a counterpoint to brutality and corruption. As she struggles to prove her worth against the darkest side of human nature, we discover the history and heartbreak that created this strong-willed woman.
This first crime novel by versatile Scottish author Chris Dolan is written with wit and empathy, and he is unafraid to explore literary themes, making Potter’s Field a work concerned as much with home and heritage as it is with violence and intrigue. It is a novel about Glasgow, told in an intimate voice with a profound knowledge of an exuberant, flawed city.
Praise
“Following the tradition of McIlvanney, Dolan draws a hypnotic image of Glasgow as a city haunted by violence, beauty and the weight of its own history. A gorgeous new voice in Tartan Noir.” - Denise Mina
“Chris Dolan has turned his considerable talents to crime. The result is a wickedly good, page-turning classic cut through with literary bite.” - Louise Welsh
Editions of Potter's Field
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781908251329
- Kindle
- ISBN B00NS3ZMEA
Read an Excerpt
In Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park, the bodies of two youths lie with bullet holes in their heads. Hungover, nicotine-starved and ill-attired, procurator fiscal Maddy Shannon attends the scene, unaware that this grim morning is about to spiral out of control.
The corpses have been carefully disfigured, perhaps signs of gangland revenge or, worse, ritual slayings. Motives and suspects are hard to find. It soon becomes clear that this disturbing case will hold a mirror to the government, the church and society at large. As the gruesome complexities of the investigation multiply, the fragmented story of Maddy’s immigrant ancestors – her grandfather Nono and his Great Adventure – emerges as a counterpoint to brutality and corruption. As she struggles to prove her worth against the darkest side of human nature, we discover the history and heartbreak that created this strong-willed woman.
This first crime novel by versatile Scottish author Chris Dolan is written with wit and empathy, and he is unafraid to explore literary themes, making Potter’s Field a work concerned as much with home and heritage as it is with violence and intrigue. It is a novel about Glasgow, told in an intimate voice with a profound knowledge of an exuberant, flawed city.
Praise
“Following the tradition of McIlvanney, Dolan draws a hypnotic image of Glasgow as a city haunted by violence, beauty and the weight of its own history. A gorgeous new voice in Tartan Noir.” - Denise Mina
“Chris Dolan has turned his considerable talents to crime. The result is a wickedly good, page-turning classic cut through with literary bite.” - Louise Welsh
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Potter's Field about?
In Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park, the bodies of two youths lie with bullet holes in their heads. Hungover, nicotine-starved and ill-attired, procurator fiscal Maddy Shannon attends the scene, unaware that this grim morning is about to spiral out of control.
The corpses have been carefully disfigured, perhaps signs of gangland revenge or, worse, ritual slayings. Motives and suspects are hard to find. It soon becomes clear that this disturbing case will hold a mirror to the government, the church and society at large. As the gruesome complexities of the investigation multiply, the fragmented story of Maddy’s immigrant ancestors – her grandfather Nono and his Great Adventure – emerges as a counterpoint to brutality and corruption. As she struggles to prove her worth against the darkest side of human nature, we discover the history and heartbreak that created this strong-willed woman.
This first crime novel by versatile Scottish author Chris Dolan is written with wit and empathy, and he is unafraid to explore literary themes, making Potter’s Field a work concerned as much with home and heritage as it is with violence and intrigue. It is a novel about Glasgow, told in an intimate voice with a profound knowledge of an exuberant, flawed city.
Praise
“Following the tradition of McIlvanney, Dolan draws a hypnotic image of Glasgow as a city haunted by violence, beauty and the weight of its own history. A gorgeous new voice in Tartan Noir.” - Denise Mina
“Chris Dolan has turned his considerable talents to crime. The result is a wickedly good, page-turning classic cut through with literary bite.” - Louise Welsh
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Potter's Field?
Fiction > Crime and / or mystery fiction > Classic crime and mystery fiction
Where can I read a sample of Potter's Field?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781908251329
Is Potter's Field part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Vagabonds
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Potter's Field?
Chris Dolan
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Potter's Field is available as paperback(ISBN 9781908251329) and kindle(ISBN B00NS3ZMEA)
Is there a video of the book?
Watch a video about Potter's Field here