This is an honest review of my mixed-feelings towards the novel.
Friday Girl is a noir detective story that looks at police corruption and the dire consequences of a city run by a gangster. The book was advertised as being a crime novel set in Dundee for fans of Ian Rankin’s work. This comparison set the bar too high and the novel fell short of expectations. Unfortunately, there was a lack of crime novel themes that exist in the genre and the novel could not be described as a police procedural like many of Rankin’s novels are.

Firstly, the use of short sentences gave a punchy tone that was reminiscent of Irvine Welsh but soon became repetitive and tiresome. It meant the pacing of the book read like a list of events and I found myself ‘scanning’ rather than reading. There were also several sentences that seemed to have the first word or words missing from them, perhaps to make it seem more casual or read truer to the character, yet actually gave the impression of bad grammar. For example, ‘Burnet stays. Thinks about the things women say to each other in these situations.’ missing the pronoun ‘she’ which further adds to the note-like writing style.

The characters in the book were truly believable and I did find myself particularly fond of Kelley. Reading from Frank’s point of view was also very enjoyable as he was an interesting character with a lot of internal conflict. Again, Frank’s monologue was filled with short sentences that would have been more impactful if they were used more sparingly and I found the same for the use of italics. Unfortunately, the protagonist Burnet was neither a sympathetic or unsympathetic character which made her slightly boring. She was not given much personality other than being a feminist and not overly feminine (a ‘tomboy’ police woman is a huge cliché but not the biggest issue of her character). As a reader, I was not drawn to her point of view or storyline. The character Dow definitely deserved a bigger part of the story.

In regards to the plot, the story was not bad but it was not the most thrilling either. There were not any huge plot twists, I was never surprised and did not find myself wondering what would happen next as the story was fairly linear. There was only ever one suspect given for the murder so the only conclusions you could draw were either 1. the suspect was guilty of the murder or 2. the suspect was not guilty of the murder, which were not very exciting odds. Although McLean lightly mocks the placement of the novel being in the top 100 in sales for Werewolves and Shifters Suspense on Amazon, the gruesome serial killer-come-werewolf is actually one of the strengths of the book and might be a good direction for his next novel.

One of the biggest let down of the book was the inability to ‘show not tell’ that is the cornerstone of good writing. For example, we are told Dow is like a father figure but never shown in his character how he acts like a father. We are told about Dundee in 1978 but there are not any paragraphs that describe Dundee in great detail to really give a feel for the city (which was extremely disappointing as this was one of the reasons I choose this book as I live near Dundee but do not have many experiences of the place so wanted to get a better feel for it within the book). The themes of sexism in the novel are also told more than they are shown. There is no subtlety in the sexist actions of the men in the story, which points to the idea of a man writing from a woman’s point of view without having a good idea. Although the author tries to highlight how backwards the 1970s are for women, especially in the police, he forgets that not all sexism is glaringly obvious and subtle forms of sexism are just as, if not even more so, a problem for women daily.

This is not necessarily a negative review of Friday Girl as I ultimately enjoyed the story and finished the book. I would encourage readers to adjust their expectations of the story as Dundee’s own Ian Rankin. McLean’s writing is different, he captures Scottish dialect in a way that is accessible but still authentic. His writing style is new and different to any I have read before and he carves out his own interpretation of what a crime novel is. This is a great achievement in a saturated genre.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.

The Friday Girl by R.D. McLean is a gripping crime novel set in Dundee in 1978.The narrative follows Detective Constable Elizabeth Burnet as she navigates a male-dominated police force, uncovering a series of gruesome events that lead to a chilling climax. McLean cleverly weaves together themes of misogyny, corruption, and the challenges of seeking justice within a flawed system.

McLean vividly reconstructs late 1970’s Dundee, immersing readers in the city’s atmosphere during that era. The depiction of Templeton Woods, where ominous activities unfold, adds a layer of suspense and authenticity to the narrative. The author’s attention to detail—such as the fashion, social norms, and local dialect—transports readers to a time when societal attitudes were markedly different from today’s. This meticulous setting enriches the story, making the environment almost a character in its own right.

The novel doesn’t shy away from portraying the rampant misogyny within the police force. Elizabeth Burnet, despite her capabilities, is often dismissed as merely a “pretty face,” reflecting the broader societal undervaluation of women during that period. Her male colleagues’ condescending attitudes and reluctance to take her insights seriously highlight the systemic sexism prevalent at the time. An added layer of the narrative delves into internal corruption within Tayside Police, exposing how some officers prioritised personal agendas over justice and were seen hanging around with some very strange bedfellows. This corruption not only hampers investigations but also endangers lives, illustrating the profound consequences of ethical compromises. There’s not really any such thing as straying ‘a wee bit’ off the path as McLean shows all too clearly.

The plot is meticulously crafted, unfolding with a steady pace that maintains suspense. The story begins with seemingly isolated incidents—neighbourhood pets going missing—but as Burnet investigates, a more sinister pattern emerges, leading to the identification of a vicious serial killer known internally to the Police as ‘the Werewolf.’ The narrative arc effectively builds tension, with each revelation escalating the stakes. The collaboration between Burnet and Kelly, a former detective, who has his own deeply personal reasons for exposing police corruption, adds depth to the investigation, intertwining personal motives with professional duties. The climax is both shocking and satisfying, providing a resolution that aligns with the novel’s dark and complex themes.

As the protagonist, Elizabeth Burnet is a compelling character who embodies resilience and determination. Her struggle against institutional sexism and her commitment to uncovering the truth make her a relatable and admirable figure. Looked down on by her colleagues, used as no more than a poster girl by her bosses and with parents who think she has no business joining the Police, she has to stay strong just to get through each day. It’s by no means dated though; just consider how the Andrew Tate’s of this world behave and you realise that this kind of attitude is sometimes way too close to the surface for comfort.

Kelly’s alliance with Burnet is driven by a desire to expose corruption within the force. His character adds a layer of moral ambiguity, as his pursuit of justice is intertwined with personal vendettas, as he pushes boundaries way past the acceptable, highlighting the complexities of of trying to expose wrongdoing while hardly at the forefront of ethical decision-making himself.

The killer, dubbed The Werewolf, is as chilling a character as you’ll meet inside the pages of a crime fiction novel. The killer’s progression from harming animals to targeting humans is portrayed with chilling realism. McLean provides insights into the killer’s psyche, offering readers an understanding of the factors that led to his monstrous actions and as to why he gets away with it for so long.

Verdict: The Friday Girl is a compelling read, offering us a richly detailed setting, complex characters, and a plot that delves into the darker aspects of human nature and institutional failings. McLean’s portrayal of 1970’s Dundee serves as both a backdrop and a catalyst for the story’s events, making it a must-read for fans of crime fiction with a historical bent.

First book I have read from this author. Interesting premise. Well written. Good characterisation.. Not so fond of the animal cruelty part. Very good description of policing in a seventies. Would definitely read the next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Dundee in the 1970s is the setting for this very dark but gripping police procedural by RD McLean and it is a book that you should definitely look to read if you like this type of book.

The main characters are excellently drawn with the main one being a WDC in a male dominated world.

The story moves along at a good pace which keeps the pages turning and the reader hooked.

Definitely one that is recommended.

This is a brilliant read, with very interesting and believable characters, set in Dundee in the 1970's. I loved the atmospheric writing and the strength of Burnet's character as a policewoman in a male dominated profession. The characters jumped from the pages due to the skilled writing and the plotting was filled with suspense right to the end. I do hope there is a follow up to this 5* read, which I highly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Wow! That was intense. And gripping. And dark. I'd even go so far as to say it was edge-of-your-seat stuff. But enough with the clichés.
The Friday Girl is a fine example of Scottish Noir. Dundee is the setting, 1978 is the year. The Friday Girl of the title is Elizabeth Burnet, the pretty face of Tayside Police, newest addition to CID.
Her first major investigation as a DS appears to be a violent murder, but someone doesn't want her to investigate it, and the case is eventually buried.
Burnet soon discovers that police corruption is rife in CID, and misogyny is the order of the day. 🚓
I loved this book. The tension built the deeper I delved. I was either biting my nails, or shouting with frustration. I definitely called one of the characters a bad name. 🚓
This title will be available on March 13th. I strongly recommend you add it to your reading list. You won't be sorry. 🚓
Thanks to Black & White Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

A message to the author..NO ONE BUT NO ONE likes to read about pets being killed.......

This is a book I liked except for the above.. A killer is stalking the neighbourhood. and Elizabeth Burnett thinks she can solve the case.

Set in Scotland this book brings memnories of the 70's and it's a good read. It is dark and brilliant and I loved it



It is part Police procedral and part thriller and the two mix wonderfully. Police corruption is rife, Women have a hard time getting up the pay scale but Elizabeth is good at what she does and sets out to prove her worth.

This book is dramatic, gripping and oh so good