1979 by Val McDermid

 

Allie Burns is working as a new reporter on Glasgow's leading newspaper.  The male administration believes she should be working on fluff stories from the women's desk but Allie wants to be an investigative reporter.  She teams up with another young person at the paper, Danny Sullivan.  Together they form a team dedicated to making their way up the hierarchy at the paper, being known as investigative reporters and maybe working on Fleet Street one day.

Danny has a lead about tax fraud.  He has heard his brother bragging about how his company knows how one can avoid paying taxes and shield money from the tax man.  He and Allie work the story and make a splash but not without costs.  Danny's brother loses his job and his parents cut him off from the family.  Danny is heartbroken about that but still determined to find the next big story.

Allie goes to a meeting she found out about from a woman's group about Scottish independence.  The election to vote on that is coming up and feelings are running high.  When Allie hears three men talking about taking stronger action, she follows them to a pub and eavesdrops.  They are talking about being more like the IRA and using bombs to make their point about Scottish rights.  Danny goes undercover with the group and he and Allie are able to stop the plot and have a huge scoop for the newspaper.  When murder follows, can Allie find the culprit?

This is a new character for Val McDermid who is best known for her Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series.  Allie is a delightful character, spunky and resourceful, kind but always willing to stick up for herself and her career prospects.  I listened to this novel and the narrator had a marvelous Scottish accent that made it all seem even more real.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.