How to Read Alan Parks' Books
Alan Parks has quickly become one of the most celebrated voices in modern Tartan noir. Because his books feature rich character development and continuous timelines, the best way to experience his writing is in publication order, which also double as the chronological order for each series. You have two distinct paths to choose from: his signature 1970s Glasgow police procedurals featuring Detective Harry McCoy, and his newer World War II historical thriller series featuring Joseph Gunner.
The Harry McCoy Series
The Harry McCoy series is famous for its unique naming convention, with each book title named after a month of the year. Set in the gritty, drug-fueled, and politically corrupt landscape of 1970s Glasgow, these books follow the deeply flawed detective Harry McCoy as he navigates the city's underbelly. Although the criminal cases in each book are self-contained, McCoy's personal struggles, health issues, and relationships evolve significantly across the books, making it highly recommended to read them in order.
- Bloody January (2017): The series opener introduces McCoy in January 1973 as he investigates a shocking double shooting in the heart of Glasgow, leading him into the dark secrets of the city's wealthy elite.
- February's Son (2019): Set during a freezing February, McCoy investigates the murder of a rising football star, which pits him against powerful local gang leaders. This book was nominated for the prestigious Edgar Award.
- Bobby March Will Live Forever (2020): Set in July, this installment explores the tragic death of a rock-and-roll star from an overdose and the search for a missing teenage girl, capturing the music scene of the era.
- The April Dead (2021): McCoy searches for a missing sailor while a series of mysterious bombings strike Glasgow.
- May God Forgive (2022): Plunging into a tense week in May, McCoy searches for missing teenagers accused of a deadly arson attack on a local hair salon. This novel won the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year.
- To Die in June (2023): Set during a rain-drenched June, McCoy is confronted with the heart-wrenching case of a dead woman and her abandoned baby, leading him to uncover a sinister conspiracy.
Parks originally planned a twelve-book series to cover every month of the year. While he has temporarily paused at June to focus on a new protagonist, fans eagerly await the arrival of the remaining six months.
The Joseph Gunner Series
In 2025, Parks launched a brand-new historical thriller series set during the Second World War. This series follows Joseph Gunner, a wounded former detective who gets drawn into high-stakes international espionage and conspiracy.
- Gunner (2025): Set in March 1941, the story introduces Joseph Gunner as he returns to a blitzed Glasgow, recovering from war injuries. When a mutilated German corpse is found in the rubble, Gunner is pulled back into active investigation, uncovering a plot inspired by Rudolf Hess's real-life flight to Scotland.
- Deception (2026): Set in December 1941, the sequel finds Gunner in New York working for the British Secret Service. His job is to covertly steer American public opinion toward joining the war, but a honeytrap operation gone wrong puts a target on his back and throws him into a web of NYPD cops, Nazis, and the mob.
What to Know Before You Start
If you love atmospheric, dark, and socially conscious crime fiction, Alan Parks is a must-read. His writing carries the legacy of William McIlvanney's Laidlaw, portraying Glasgow not just as a setting, but as a living, breathing character of contrasts. The stories do not shy away from the harsh realities of poverty, the drug epidemic, and institutional corruption, but they are anchored by McCoy's weary humanity and dry humor. While you can technically read the mysteries as standalones, starting with Bloody January or Gunner is the best way to appreciate the character arcs.