Book review: Burnout, by Claire MacLeary

Claire MacLeary’s first novel, Cross Purpose – longlisted for the McIlvanney Scottish Crime Book of the Year award in 2017 – introduced us to Maggie Laird and Wilma Harcus with warm humour and sharp writing. As follow-up Burnout begins, the duo have settled into their work as private investigators – but the opening conversation of the novel immediately brings tensions: “I think my husband is trying to kill me,” Sheena Struthers tells Maggie. Maggie feels it’s a case they must take on; Wilma feels it’s a case they shouldn’t go near due to Sheena’s lack of evidence other than “a feeling”.