The Haunting of Barney Thomson

Douglas Lindsay

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

The king of barbershop death junkies is back, in another novel of blood, murder, ghosts, terror and downright stupidity. As Barney Thomson is closing up the barbershop for the night, an old man enters looking for a Cary Grant cut and a bit of a chat. The following day, Barney discovers that his late night customer was the captain of a fishing trawler which had been found mysteriously abandoned on the Clyde over one hundred years previously. In a sinister echo of that old legend, that morning a trawler is found drifting in a flat calm just off the island. Of the three trawlermen known to have been on board the Bitter Wind, one is found dead on the vessel, two are missing. The police arrive, led by DCI Frankenstein and an officer from Barney's past, Detective Sergeant Proudfoot. As the ghosts mount up for Barney Thomson, could it just be that he is in an episode of Scooby Doo, featuring a lot of villains in masks? Or is it a real, dark and menacing evil which haunts the small seaside town, and haunts what could be the final days of Barney Thomson?

Review by Nigel (221207) Rating (9/10)

Review by Nigel
Rating 9/10
Following the events in The Last Fish Supper Barney is happily fulfilling his ambition of a quiet life. Business has been booming during the summer and Barney has taken an assistant, Keanu McPherson, an aspiring author exhibiting his talents through his online blog. Along with Igor things couldn't be better in the Millport Barber's Shop. That is until the Bitter Wind, a local fishing trawler, is found with one dead body and two missing trawlermen… oh, and the ghost that pops in for a haircut.

Things then take a turn for the worst as far as Barney is concerned when investigating officers are sent over form Glasgow, one very intense DCI called Frankenstein (jokes abound) and a certain DS Proudfoot, a name from Barney's past and someone who certainly knows a lot more about Barney than is perhaps healthy; certainly not as far as DS Proudfoot is concerned since she has been in therapy for a number of years to overcome their previous run-ins. As the body count mounts and Barney's past catches up with him his future in Millport is not looking too good… if he lives that long.

Throw into the mix four members of MI6 and their dog The Dog With No Name, numerous gruesome murders, the absurdity of the press and Scooby Doo and you have another excellent instalment in the Barney Series.

If anything I would say this is one of the better Barney stories. Unfortunately, unlike The Last Fish Supper, you will enjoy the story more if you have read the previous instalments as some of the narrative refers to Barney's earlier exploits. Not absolutely necessary but if you know the history it makes it all the more enjoyable.

Can't wait to get my hands on the next book, to be called The Final Cut, which apparently will be the last Barney story… a happy and sad day at the same time.

In summary an excellent book from an exceptional series which very much deserves greater exposure… buy the books, pass the word and bring Barney to the masses.
Nigel (22nd December 2007)