The
second book in the Barney Thomson series sees the accidental murderer on the
run from police after being sought out for multiple homicides. THE BARBER
SURGEON’S HAIRSHIRT is a vastly different book to THE LONG MIDNIGHT OF BARNEY
THOMSON insofar as the focus and plotting sets Barney aside to a certain degree
and allows for a couple colourful coppers to shine in Mulholland and Proudfoot.
The
investigative nature of the story tended to be repetitive, yet this was offset
by a saturation of satire. The humorous dialogue and tabloid sensationalism of
Barney’s many outlandishly accused crimes provides a nice form of escape from
the monstrosity at the monastery Barney finds himself hiding.
Living
under the persona of Brother Jacob, Barney adapts to life as a monk, cut off
from real world problems yet finding himself embroiled in a much sinister turn
of events. A monk seeking vengeance for his father’s treatment by his fellow
brothers many years ago makes the halls of the monetary run red with the blood
of brothers. Naturally, Barney is once again the unfortunate suspect by virtue
of his poor timing and bad luck.
Mulholland
and Proudfoot, on the trail to track down the Glasgow Ripper (aka Barney
Thomson), bounce from one B&B to another, shining a light on civilian
incompetency and their ilk’s inadequate policing until they luck out and land
knee deep in the thick of a multiple homicide at the secluded monastery.
Douglas Lindsay does a good job at building chemistry between the attractive
and available Proudfoot and the man with a marriage on the rocks, in Mulholland
– I hope Lindsay revisits these two characters again after putting so much
effort into establishing them.
As with
any Barney Thomson story there is a fair degree of tongue in cheek
storytelling. The emphasis on soap opera tv and entertainment journalism taken
to the extreme (i.e. made-up) crosses the border to the outlandish. While
Barney himself is the unassuming fool, a simple yet wholehearted fellow who just
wants to cut hair.
I enjoyed
THE BARBER SURGEON’S HAIRSHIRT and look forward to reading MURDERERS ANONYMOUS.
Having had a Scottish Mother , i am o.k. with heid the ba etc , but the loooong words ! But having read 1 and 2 Barney Thomson , have to carry on to the end , have warm feelings for Mulholland and Proudfoot , the murders are getting more and more horrific , where does he get these ideas from ! Enjoy reading , and laugh quite a lot so that`s good !
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