Gus Dury is back on the drink. While in hospital after a hit-and-run accident, his best friend, Hod, asks him to investigate the ritual, on-campus hanging of an Edinburgh University student. The murder victim's mother is a high-profile actress, who has promised a big-money reward. Gus, desperate for money, goes undercover at the university, taking a janitor's job, and soon uncovers a similar ritualistic hanging which took place in the 70s. Few of the students are prepared to talk about it - until another one of their group turns up dead by the same method. But Gus now moves into very dangerous waters as he begins to discover what and who is really behind it all - and he becomes the next target for the executioner.
Long Time Dead (Gus Dury 4)
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
Ripping, gutsy prose and a witty wreck of a protagonist makes this another exceptionally compelling, bright and even original thriller from a writer yet to explode (Daily Mirror, 4 stars )
If you've yet to discover the hardcore brilliance of Gus Drury, pour yourself a large one and start here (Daily Record )
From the word go, the no-nonsense cynicism of Dury is back and in full throttle ... Dury has the potential to be a long-running success story of Tartan Noir (Scotsman )
A dark, personal journey with convincingly raw emotions and a protagonist who is digging beyond rock bottom (Crimesquad )
A dark, personal journey with convincingly raw emotions and a protagonist who is digging beyond rock bottom (Eurocrime 4 stars )
If you've yet to discover the hardcore brilliance of Gus Drury, pour yourself a large one and start here (Daily Record )
From the word go, the no-nonsense cynicism of Dury is back and in full throttle ... Dury has the potential to be a long-running success story of Tartan Noir (Scotsman )
A dark, personal journey with convincingly raw emotions and a protagonist who is digging beyond rock bottom (Crimesquad )
A dark, personal journey with convincingly raw emotions and a protagonist who is digging beyond rock bottom (Eurocrime 4 stars )
Book Description
Gus Dury is back on the skids, but even worse is the murder case which his best friend needs help with.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By D. Moore
Format:Paperback
Gus Dury is back on the bevvy - and no bloody wonder after what happened in book 3. Not only is he back on the drink but he's in hospital and in a bad way after being run down by an old lady on a mobility scooter. When his best friend Hod visits and asks him to help him investigate the death of a student - son of a high-profile actress, Gus is reluctant - let's face it, his career as a PI hasn't turned out very well for him so far, has it? However, since he feels partly responsible for the cash-strapped state in which Hod currently finds himself, he agrees. One more bad decision in a whole string of bad decisions. Sometimes it feels as though nothing Gus does is ever going to be right. For me he's a thoroughly noir protagonist. He's constantly trying to dig himself out of a hole that's too big for him to scrabble out of. What's more, fate is standing giggling at the top, shovelling in more earth on top of him. And, when someone does finally throw down a shovel, it hits Gus on the head. This is a very dark book, but relieved by Gus' cynical, self-deprecating humour. After this entry in the series, I want a little gladness for Gus. Wonderful stuff.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In Tony Black's Long Time Dead , journalist turned reluctant private investigator Gus Dury is in the gutter again but he's still looking at the stars, albeit through the bottom of a bottle of whisky.
Long Time Dead starts off with Gus waking up in hospital, after a particularly prolific drinking session, and being told that he's close to knocking on heaven's door. Gus, of course, ignores the doctor's advice and immediately checks out of the hospital. After a little arm-twisting, he decides to help out his best friend, Hod, and investigate the suspicious death by hanging of a famous actress' son.
While sniffing around, Gus finds a rancid trail that leads from the top end of Edinburgh society down into its murky sewers. And back again.
Punch-drunk and booze addled, Gus' shoulders have more chips than Harry Ramsden and he just can't stop kicking against the pricks with his puke encrusted Doc Martins.
Gus isn't for everyone, of course, and his scatter shot bile can be wide of the mark - a man wearing eyeliner, how shocking Gus!- but when he's on target you're with him all the way.
LONG TIME DEAD is another urban classic from Tony Black and fans of the previous Gus Dury books - Paying For It, Gutted & Loss - won't be disappointed.
Long Time Dead starts off with Gus waking up in hospital, after a particularly prolific drinking session, and being told that he's close to knocking on heaven's door. Gus, of course, ignores the doctor's advice and immediately checks out of the hospital. After a little arm-twisting, he decides to help out his best friend, Hod, and investigate the suspicious death by hanging of a famous actress' son.
While sniffing around, Gus finds a rancid trail that leads from the top end of Edinburgh society down into its murky sewers. And back again.
Punch-drunk and booze addled, Gus' shoulders have more chips than Harry Ramsden and he just can't stop kicking against the pricks with his puke encrusted Doc Martins.
Gus isn't for everyone, of course, and his scatter shot bile can be wide of the mark - a man wearing eyeliner, how shocking Gus!- but when he's on target you're with him all the way.
LONG TIME DEAD is another urban classic from Tony Black and fans of the previous Gus Dury books - Paying For It, Gutted & Loss - won't be disappointed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Buk-arooo
Format:Paperback
Gus Drury undercover at Edinburgh university uncovers a gripping tale of underground activities involving an actress and her crooked son. It's a class struggle and a murder mystery in one. Another top story from the brightest new kid on the scottish crime block.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Iris
Format:Paperback
Tony Black's style of writing gives the feel that you are following the main character's, Gus Dury, flow of thoughts with him and that as events unfold you are experiencing them at the same time.
Gus Dury himself though has an immense background of a drinking problem, a lost career and a troubled childhood. Through his strong and convincing writing, Black pulls this round so that on the other side there is a compassionate, educated and witty man who develops into a very likeable character.
The plot moves along at a strong pace and flows extremely smoothly until it climaxes at the very end! Should you buy the book???? HELL.... YEAAAAH!!!! ... and then get in line for the next one!
Gus Dury himself though has an immense background of a drinking problem, a lost career and a troubled childhood. Through his strong and convincing writing, Black pulls this round so that on the other side there is a compassionate, educated and witty man who develops into a very likeable character.
The plot moves along at a strong pace and flows extremely smoothly until it climaxes at the very end! Should you buy the book???? HELL.... YEAAAAH!!!! ... and then get in line for the next one!
By Tox
Format:Kindle Edition
Gus and Hod doing what they do best, another great story set in the festival season. Top notch yet again
By Neil Wright
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm struggling to say something new about these books! I won't give away the plot. Just buy the book. Read it and agree with me that this is excellent writing!
By john levey
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Am working my way through these. "Gutsy Dury" more like! Interesting to see another view of Edinburgh after Ian Rankin
By K. Nixon
Format:Paperback
This is the 4th Gus Dury novel and he has hit an all time low, separated from his wife, haunted by questions from his childhood and drinking himself literally into an early grave but fortunately he still has his friends around him although Hod has fallen on hard times and owes money to a local shark, Shaky. Gus reluctantly agrees to investigate the apparent suicide of a wealthy and well connected student to bail Hod out of his predicament. What follows is a hard hitting, gritty delve into the Edinburgh under and over world, it's hard to know which one to like least. Gus hits bottom and for a while carries on going, seemingly committed to his self destruction if it means getting the answers he wants and needs.
I've chased through five Tony Black books in a matter of weeks since picking up Gutted by chance (a very happy one). It's the best writing I've read all year and is right up there with my favourite authors. I'm a big fan of Ian Rankin, Tony Black's books are, I feel, as good - they are a different style and feel and I have room for both authors on my shelf. I find myself trying to slow down and enjoy the prose but cannot help but charge through to the end, the narrative really draws you in. The characters are excellent (Mac the Knife was hardly in this story which is a bit of a shame but a vv minor comment) and very well developed, the dialogue is sharp, with a well balanced amount of local slang that paints a picture without managing to lose you. Overall really, really good stuff. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Mr Black I strongly suggest you do. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
I've chased through five Tony Black books in a matter of weeks since picking up Gutted by chance (a very happy one). It's the best writing I've read all year and is right up there with my favourite authors. I'm a big fan of Ian Rankin, Tony Black's books are, I feel, as good - they are a different style and feel and I have room for both authors on my shelf. I find myself trying to slow down and enjoy the prose but cannot help but charge through to the end, the narrative really draws you in. The characters are excellent (Mac the Knife was hardly in this story which is a bit of a shame but a vv minor comment) and very well developed, the dialogue is sharp, with a well balanced amount of local slang that paints a picture without managing to lose you. Overall really, really good stuff. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Mr Black I strongly suggest you do. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gus Dury 4 - What's the bet?
Long Time Dead is Tony Black's fourth blood dripping, alcohol fuelled Gus Dury novel.
Railing at every conceivable slight on his beloved Edinburgh, from over-privileged,... Read more
Railing at every conceivable slight on his beloved Edinburgh, from over-privileged,... Read more
Published 8 months ago by McDroll
2.0 out of 5 stars
Deeply Disappointing
I pretty much knew I was going to hate this book from the first paragraph. It's difficult to explain why - I just found it so annoying - the constant swearing; the lack of a real... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. Ross Maynard
2.0 out of 5 stars
Unconvincing
This is the first Tony Black book I've read; it will probably be the last.
The problem with writing gritty stories about the darker side of Edinburgh with a main character... Read more
The problem with writing gritty stories about the darker side of Edinburgh with a main character... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr Sneff
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
