The Papers of Tony Veitch

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]

The Papers of Tony Veitch
First edition
AuthorWilliam McIlvanney
SeriesLaidlaw #2
PublisherHodder and Stoughton
Publication date
1983
ISBN0340229071
Preceded byLaidlaw (novel) 
Followed byStrange Loyalties 

Plot

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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

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The book was first published in 1983 by Hodder & Staughton, and was reissued on 3 June 2013 by Canongate Books.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Dickson, Beth. "William McIlvanney's Laidlaw Novels". The Association for Scottish Literary Studies. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  2. ^ Massie, Allan (25 May 2013). "Scotland's master of crime is also its Camus". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  3. ^ "The Papers of Tony Veitch". Canongate. Retrieved 2 August 2013.