In February 1971, the Ibrox disaster resulted i the deaths of sixty-six people, killed in a crush at one of the exits. But the repercussions were the desire for revenge between the two sets of fans regardlesss of whose fault it was. In one of the nearby hostelries, two brothers drank. Unrelated by blood, but bound by the oaths they swore to protect each other, Tommy Mularkey and Sam McLane have plans for that evening. Heading out, the narrowly avoid one gang of opposing colours, before running into a gang of their own side. Declining the offer to join in the general melee, they head off in another direction. But their luck runs out and they are caught by a large mob who set violently upon them. When it’s over, there are two bodies on the floor. When the news filters back, the main mobs fight a short, bloody, brutal, battle in the streets until it is finally broken up. But someone now has to tell the families of the two men.

This is a short story, based in and around the tragic events which did occur in Glasgow in 1971. I’m always a little concerned when someone writes around events like these, but the author has close ties to it and the tragedy is handled respectfully. The first part of the story does cover the events, but then transitions into what might have occurred afterwards in the powder keg of a city. The author’s descriptions are not dry and factual as you might expect from a reporter, but draws from the people in the area, their thoughts and emotions as you come to understand why the city has such hatred and intent towards itself. The writing style feels as authentic as the events it is following, a voice from the very time and place as things unfold. The only slight downside is we get very little from the individual characters themselves, as the events surrounding them take precedence.

The book is well formatted and the chapters are clear and obvious. T%here are a couple of times that bold text has crept in for emphasis, which puts it slightly as odds with the rest of the story. The language used is very much of the time and place, but is still easy enough to follow if given a chance. The book does contain some author’s notes, a brief glimpse at the first story in the series and a small piece on the Ibrox disaster.

Overall, this is an excellent story, fans of the genre should enjoy it, and if you do, there are several more in the same vein to pick up.