Francis Bickmore, Publishing Director of Canongate Books, has acquired World English rights to MAY GOD FORGIVE by Alan Parks from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.

The fifth in the bestselling Detective Harry McCoy series – following BLOODY JANUARY, FEBRUARY’S SON, BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER and THE APRIL DEAD – MAY GOD FORGIVE follows McCoy as he has twenty-four hours to find two kidnapped boys before they turn up dead in Glasgow’s city centre. In a city where tempers are frayed and sentiment is running high after a devastating arson attack, this does not prove to be an easy task – especially when he discovers that the one of Glasgow’s most prominent gang bosses may be responsible…

Alan Parks says: ‘I am delighted that McCoy and Canongate are continuing their relationship, and looking forward to working with Francis and all there on MAY GOD FORGIVE.’

Francis Bickmore says: ‘Alan Parks’ coal-black noir novels always have a moral knot at their core and I’m thrilled Canongate has taken on Book 5 in the McCoy series. That sense of justice and morality in a fallen world is what keeps resonating with his readers and this plot promises to be the tightest yet. Space needs to be made on bookshelves alongside William McIlvanney.’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘Harry McCoy is one of the great characters in crime fiction, and 1970s Glasgow, seen through his eyes, is unforgettable. Alan Parks always delivers: peeling back the city’s layers in taut, gripping novels with supremely satisfying plots and real emotional depth. I’m thrilled that Canongate will bring this new gritty beauty to readers in May 2022.’

The McCoy series has already received significant international prize recognition. BLOODY JANUARY was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, FEBRUARY’S SON was nominated for an Edgar Award, BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER was picked as a The Times Best Book of the Year and THE APRIL DEAD was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The Harry McCoy series is optioned for television. Translation rights are sold in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Spain (both in Spanish and Catalan), Sweden and Turkey.

Praise for the Harry McCoy series:

‘Vivid and evocative. 1970s Glasgow hewn from flesh and drawn in blood.’ — Peter May

‘Bloody and brilliant.’ — Louise Welsh

‘The meticulously described setting is so suggestive readers may even catch whiffs of stale cigarette smoke and patchouli. Fans of Scottish noir will be satisfied.’ ― Publishers Weekly

‘Parks’ sprawling plot offers not tidy whodunit puzzles but a wide-angle view of a gritty city in the grip of crime, home to an entertaining cross section of characters. Broad-shouldered McCoy is suitably unflappable as he walks Glasgow’s mean streets.’ ― Kirkus Reviews

‘McCoy is so noir he makes most other Scottish cops seem light grey. The novel also contains some of the most inventive swearing in crime fiction.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times, Book of the Month

‘A series that no crime fan should miss: dangerous, thrilling, but with a kind voice to cut through the darkness.’ ― Scotsman

‘Pitch-black tartan noir, set in 70s Glasgow . . . Compelling . . . with an emotional heart that’s hard to ignore.’ ― Daily Mail

About Alan Parks:

Alan Parks was Creative Director at London Records in the mid 1990’s, then at Warner Music, where he created ground-breaking campaigns for artists including All Saints, New Order, The Streets, Gnarls Barclay and Cee Lo Green. He was also Managing Director of 679 Recordings, a joint venture with Warner Music. His debut novel BLOODY JANUARY propelled him onto the international literary crime fiction scene immediately and his work has been hailed by contemporary writers and critics alike.

Alan was born in Scotland and attended The University of Glasgow where he was awarded a M.A. in Moral Philosophy. He still lives and works in the city that is so vividly depicted in the 1970s setting of his Harry McCoy thrillers.

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