Title: The Loner

Author: Quintin Jardine

FICTION

Genre: Crime

Ranking: 7.0 out of 10.0

Buy: Maybe

Borrow: Yes

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004P8ITME/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Summary: A new crime thriller from Scotland's Crime Master. 

Xavier (Xavi) Aislado is half Spanish, half Scot, brought up in Edinburgh by his grandmother, Paloma Puig — until his father moves back to Spain, leaving him to grow up fast. His emergence into manhood is eventful. After a short career as a professional footballer, he turns to journalism, and has a bloody introduction to the trade, as his first assignment ends in violent death. Xavi's life and his love become entwined with his work, and he is immersed in tragedy, loss, and betrayal, going halfway round the world in search of a truth that may destroy him. 

Main review: 

The Loner is a brilliant new stand-alone crime thriller from Scotland's Crime Master.

Xavier (Xavi) Aislado is a gentle giant, half Spanish, half Scot, brought up in Edinburgh by his grandmother, Paloma Puig, until his father moves back to Spain with her, leaving him to grow up fast. His emergence into manhood is eventful. His father leaves him a big flat which he partly rents to two old school friends. His long-term girlfriend, lter fiancee and wife, Grace, comes and goes.

After a short career as a professional football goalkeeper, cut short due to a severe knee injury, he turns to journalism, and has a bloody introduction to the trade, as his first assignment ends in violent death. This involves two junior criminals corrupting teenagers by selling them into hard drugs.  Once exposed the criminal boss, Perry Holmes, kills them to send a message that there are boundaries, even in the criminal world.

Inevitably, as his autobiography unfolds, Xavi's life and his love become entwined with his work, and he is immersed in tragedy, loss and betrayal.

As in good crime books, the plot has many twists and turns. Grace is the only daughter of a pharma firm's owner. He and his wife are murdered in a robbery that involves both cash from the company safe and some expensive drugs. The police are at a loss. But Xavi is summoned by Perry (on his death bed) who produces a startling lead. Xavi then has to travel halfway round the world to confront one of the killers of his parents-in-law. The story does not end well for him.

Further reading suggestion: Skinner's Rules - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002VK2ELK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1