Novel set in time-space, Nuremberg and USA
Psychological thriller set in GLASGOW and ISLE of BUTE
25th September 2025
After He Died by Michael J Malone, psychological thriller set in Glasgow and on the Isle of Bute.
#fromourbookshelves
After He Died by Michael J Malone is a psychological thriller and another entertaining read from this clever and skilled author – he doesn’t disappoint! It describes the Isle of Bute in such detail that you can just imagine the scenery, even if you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting (and I have!). Then he contrasts it with the seamier side of Glasgow and the rather nice residence of the main character, Paula. The book is partly a story of the haves and the have-nots in modern Scottish society but it stops short of being a political novel, and instead Malone creates an engaging novel that will have you holding your breath.
Paula Gadd is a middle-class woman who has recently been widowed, when her husband Thomas had a heart attack. Not only has she lost the love of her life and the breadwinner who sustained her stylish way of life, she has previous also lost her only child, a son called Christopher. While she is still wondering how she can survive another terrible loss, a woman passes her a message at the funeral, causing her to begin to doubt everything that she thought was certain in her life.
Cara Connelly is a young woman from a totally different background: one of the more deprived areas of Glasgow. Her mother, Helen, is a former drug addict, trying to stay clean while surrounded by addicts and dealers. They have also suffered an awful bereavement, when Cara’s brother Sean died – possibly murdered – two years previously. Cara works with those who have been brutalised by the system. She is desperate to discover how Sean died and she too has news that will shock and traumatise Paula. Despite all this, the two women gradually realise they must work together to discover the truth about the men they have lost.
Malone creates believable characters and scenarios, which are real page-turners and this is no exception. If I had a gripe, it would be that a big chunk of the story is explained by one character to another near the end, but there is still plenty to come that makes for a satisfactory ending. His skills as a poet lead to wonderfully descriptive passages of both beautiful and not-so-lovely parts of Scotland, and his obvious affection for his characters and locations all add to the storyline.
Sue for the TripFiction Team
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