What Readers Are Saying About Kintyre

"It was one of the best page turners I have read in a while and Simon activated the emotion button early and kept it going all the way through. I had moist eyes at the end and no, it is not just age. I find starting another book is difficult as I can't leave the previous characters behind. I'm still looking over my shoulder to see if Kim appears, but of course it would be too late."

"Downloaded it on Kindle, on chapter 11, too scared to finish it. It's so good. Best book I have read in a long time."

"Couldn't put this one down, hence the late night. It's obligatory reading for fans of Scottish crime fiction and those who relish hearing the voice of experience."

Good read.

"This was bought as a gift, the person thoroughly enjoyed it."

Justice comes calling.

"A most emotive read, compelling and credible. The words jump off the pages, break your heart and raise your spirits simultaneously. Add it to your list. Simon, keep writing please."

"Simon has crafted an absolute tour de force with Kintyre: The Past Doesn't Forget. From the very first page, this isn't just a standard cold-case procedural; it is a breathless, high-stakes dive into the dark intersection of institutional corruption, generational trauma, and organized crime stretching across Scotland and Ireland. Bringing retired detective Eddie Weir back to a botched rookie investigation from 1981 is a brilliant narrative move. Alongside his formidable partner, Kim Kerr, Eddie's journey shatters decades of systemic silence. Simon completely subverts the usual “safe” crime fiction tropes, exposing a chillingly realistic ecosystem of human trafficking networks and the official protection that keeps them alive. The atmospheric prose is incredibly rich, the plotting is razor-sharp, and the psychological weight borne by the characters is profoundly moving. It is gritty, sweeping, and morally uncompromising. For anyone who loves deeply atmospheric law enforcement noir, complex psychological depth, and a fierce, gripping hunt for justice, Kintyre is easily one of the most essential and powerful crime fiction releases of 2026. An absolute must-read."

"I picked this up, expecting a solid crime read, and got something with far more weight behind it. Kintyre runs two timelines: retired detective Eddie Weir, pulled back to Campbeltown for a case he can't leave alone, and a 1981 strand that opens in London's Chinatown when a young woman, Song Li, is taken by a trafficking ring. The authenticity is what sells it. Simon McLean is a former detective, and Eddie reads like a real one, all sharp instincts and small observations. The Kintyre setting is vivid too, with place and grief sitting side by side on every page. Fair heads up: it's a heavy read. The trafficking thread is handled with restraint but doesn't flinch. If you like Scottish crime with real meaning behind it, this is well worth your time. Highly recommended!"