A Bad, Bad Place by debut author Frances Crawford is an absorbing character-driven novel exploring how a crime can impact even those not directly involved. More specifically, witnesses and those living near the scene. They may be able to provide information that could help the police solve the crime but are there lines that the police should not cross to obtain information? Does the age of the witness matter?
The book is set in 1979. Hiring practices were more relaxed then and there were fewer formal standards on police conduct. The focus was on getting results with little concern as to how those results were obtained.
Twelve-year-old Janey Devine is a bright and outgoing girl. She loves punk rock and her dog, named Sid Vicious. Janey is an orphan so she lives with her grandmother in Possilpark, a working-class area of Glasgow. Things do not go as planned when Janey takes Sid with her to an abandoned railway line and he discovers a young woman’s mutilated body.
The police identify the murder victim as Samantha Watson. Janey does not know her. Her memory of what she saw is a bit spotty when the police question her. She responds to some of their questions but does not share all that she knows with them because she’s scared of getting into trouble. The lack of respect and kindness the police display to Janey and her nana likely don’t help matters.
Children are often seen as untrustworthy narrators. Their lack of life experience can lead to misinterpretation. Crawford has cleverly addresses this issue by including the point of view of Maggie Devine, Janey’s nana. The murder has triggered unpleasant memories for her but Maggie is more concerned about how Janey is handling the trauma.
The horrific discovery has a huge impact on Janey. She is no longer a sociable chatterbox who loves spending time playing with her friends and dog. Now she prefers to be alone in her room. Sid Vicious no longer offers comfort and companionship, as she blames him for finding the body.
The chapter headings reflect the passage of time since the murder occurred. The longer the case remains unsolved, the greater the tension. The people of Possilpark are concerned that there may be a murderer living amongst them. There is much gossip about possible suspects.
Samantha Watson, the murder victim did not live in Possilpark. Her family home is located in a more upmarket area of Glasgow. Her father’s illegal activities pay for the enormous home and comfortable lifestyle. Billy Watson’s grief over Samantha feels raw. No doubt talk that her death may be related to someone who Billy may have wronged, adds a layer of guilt.
Crawford has created fully developed and believable characters. Information shared by Samantha’s friends and family provide you with details about her life. Crawford clearly invested time in developing Samantha’s back story to ensure that she is much more than just a murder victim.
The ties that Janey feels for Samantha are quite touching. She creates a journal of newspaper clippings about the case where she documents stories that Samantha’s friends have shared with her. Janey’s actions and those of the residents of Possilpark illustrate how a violent crime touches the lives of all those around it.
Woven throughout this whodunnit are themes of family, love, grief and community. The citizens of Possilpark may struggle to pay their bills but they are generous with their time when it comes to helping one another. You will be sad to finish A Bad, Bad Place as the characters of Janey and Maggie are so engaging. Some readers may feel frustrated by an ending where everything is not tied up in a neat and tidy bow, others may feel that the open ending adds another layer of realism.
Also see The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace by RWR McDonald, The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey or As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley.
Bantam
Print/Kindle
£7.99
CFL Rating: 4 Stars
