Review: 1979
Gaby Meares
Val McDermid mines her own experience as a journalist in Glasgow in the 1970s giving her latest novel, 1979, a real sense of authenticity.
Allie Burns and Danny Sullivan are young journalists trying to make a name for themselves in the cut-throat world of newspaper journalism. They discover that they have a shared passion and drive; as Danny says ‘From the very start journalism had been like a virus in his brain. He couldn’t resist the pull of a story’. Danny has uncovered a tax-evasion scheme that involves his brother, and enlists Allie’s help to polish the story for publication. Allie jumps at the opportunity to write something more than ‘the baby stories’ that are usually assigned to female reporters. Before they know it, they have ruffled the wrong feathers, with terrible repercussions.
McDermid has written a tight and enthralling thriller - again. In 1979 she also explores how far we have come from the sexism and homophobia that was entrenched in society in the 1970s.
I believe there will be more books featuring the intrepid Allie Burns which is excellent news.
Highly recommended.