REVIEWS - MURDER MILE

"Tony Black's Edinburgh makes Ian Rankin's version seem sedate, polite and carefree … DI Rob Brennan, in his second outing, makes a strong case to assume the mantle of Edinburgh's leading fictional detective, vacant since the retirement of Rebus … he's immensely well drawn, and Black's dialogue and atmosphere crackle with authenticity."

- The Times

"This up-and-coming crime writer isn't portraying the Edinburgh in the Visit Scotland tourism ads ... a convincing portrayal of Edinburgh low-life and police rivalries."
- The Sun

"Comparisons with Rebus will be obvious. But that would be too easy ... Black has put his defiant, kick-ass stamp on his leading man, creating a character that deftly carries the story through every razor-sharp twist and harrowing turn. DI Rob Brennan is my new star on the capital's murder mile. And you can't help but think Rebus would approve."

- Daily Record

“An authentic yet unique voice, Tony Black shows why he is leading the pack in British crime fiction today. His deeply disturbing previous books have been labeled tartan noir, but Murder Mile is in a class of its own, from gripping beginning to shocking end. Atmospherically driven, the taut and sparse prose is as near to the bone you are ever likely to encounter in crime noir. Powerful.”

- New York Journal of Books

"Murder Mile is the second outing for DI Rob Brennan, a complex and brooding character who makes Rebus look positively chipper by comparison ... With Murder Mile Tony Black has put the heart back into the serial killer novel. It’s dark, yes, and deeply unpleasant in places, as it should be, but he hasn’t played to shock and there’s a refreshing lack of cheap gore. Rob Brennan is the perfect guide to follow through the criminal underworld, a bundle of rage and righteousness, and after reading Murder Mile the next fictional DI you come across will have a lot to live up to."

- Crime Fiction Lover

"This is no ordinary police procedural, folks. This is for those discerning readers who want more than a puzzle, it’s for those readers who want their intellect nudged while they plunge headlong into the whodunit. Murder Mile is a hugely satisfying read on all levels and comes highly recommended."

- CrimeSquad

"What makes this book from Tony a wonderful read is his tight prose, solid arc and when backed with a character that is fully fleshed that feels like a familiar friend after a short time, makes this a title that is not only hard to put down but nigh impossible."

- Falcata Times

REVIEWS - TRUTH LIES BLEEDING

"In a departure from his brilliant Gus Dury series, Tony Black introduces a new character to the Edinburgh crime scene, DI Rob Brennan. Dury is the new star of Scottish noir, Brennan proves lightning can strike twice."
-The Daily Record

"Black renders his nicotine-stained domain in a hardboiled slang that fizzles with vicious verisimilitude."
- The Guardian

"Black has already delivered four fine novels to establish himself at the front of the Tartan Noir pack and this fifth sees him pushing the police procedural as far as it will go . . . a superior offering in an already crowded Scottish crime market."
- The Big Issue

"Brennan is beautifully sculpted out of hard rock, Black really excels with his depiction of Edinburgh’s low-life scum . . . an accomplished and impressive piece of Tartan Noir."
- The List

"Scottish noir at it's absolute and utter best, Truth Lies Bleeding is a rollercoaster of the personal and professional, dark and light, desperation and determination."
- Aust Crime

"This is an excellent police procedural novel and Rob Brennan is a thoroughly engaging and believable protagonist. The book takes a very dark and difficult topic and treats it with sensitivity and complete lack of sensationalism. Yet it's a thrilling, chilling enthralling read."
- The Big Beat from Badsville

"Truth Lies Bleeding is a brilliant read. Black has created a compelling character in Brennan but he's particularly good at showing the lives of people on the margins of Edinburgh society, the grimy underbelly of smack heads and low lives. Truth Lies Bleeding is another cracking slice of the dark side of life from Tony Black and proof that he's got plenty of tricks up his sleeve."
- Pulp Metal Magazine

"Tony Black has proved in his earlier books that he can write up a storm and in this book he also really nails the characterizations that make this impossible to put down."
- Crimespree

"Truth Lies Bleeding pins the reader to their chair with deft action, sharp characters and a harrowing plot. Well worth catching."
- Crime Time Preview

"It’s a great book. Shaprly written. Brilliantly plotted. Page-turning and thought-provoking at the same time. Highly recommended."
- Sea Minor

"Every flaw is stripped of shadow and every bad deed gets punished. If I read a better example of the police procedural this year I will be amazed."
- CrimeSquad

"Truth Lies Bleeding has lost none of the grit, nor the savage descriptive powers so characteristic of the earlier novels ... still conveys the harsh, bitter world of his Edinburgh setting extremely well."
- SHOTS

"Tony Black is a very skilled writer who can depict the grim, darker aspects of life with realism and yet still be highly readable."
- EuroCrime

"Black’s narrative switching between the pursuer and his quarry work well, and his clearly conflicted relationship with Edinburgh adds to this story’s appeal."
- Kirkus Reviews