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When i found out my friend had written a book i was shocked as i had no idea about the plans. However, after reading Finger of Suspicion by Dale Dawson i was struck by how intensely honest and bare it was. Discussing personal things that happens in life takes guts. To endure what Dale and his family endured by the police during his working life there seems at odds as to how he should have been treated. The humorous stories about drug searches and crime in the Glasgow was very well covered and had me hooked from the beginning. I couldn't put it down as i wanted to find out what happened. Its sad, real and wow, how he must have felt dealing with what he dealt with - true respect. But it also gave me a great insight into what life was like as a detective with Strathclyde Police. I know the real Dale and he should be so very proud of this book. His story telling had me gripped. Do not miss this fascinating insight into life as a cop. Respect to Dale for daring to bare all with this true story.
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An excellent read, in which the author takes us through his years working for Strathclyde Police in different roles. It describes many investigations and outlines some of the key challenges in dealing with the criminal fraternity and colleagues, vividly describing a side of life that most of us don’t encounter. I found myself invested in Dales career and the issues he faced. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys an insight into police investigation and procedures.
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This book is a fantastic read, taking you into the dark depths of the world of fighting crime on the streets of Glasgow and surviving the inner workings of the force hierarchy within Strathclyde Police.
The Authors experience of their time in the police force is a gripping, surreal and emotional roller coaster.
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I have actually just finished reading this book. This is a great account of what life must have been like in the police and shows a deep strength of character of the author. I couldn’t put the book down. The humour, seriousness and criminal content had me hooked. I felt as though i was there and wanted to reach out and stop what was happening. I have huge respect for the author’s ability to cope in what must have been difficult circumstances. If you like crime and what goes on, then do not hesitate to buy this book. Just brilliant.
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A great insight into the life of a rising policeman, working his way through the social scale and corruption within the policing sector.
The unimaginable scenarios Dawson faces keeps you gripping your seat and wanting more, whilst keeping it light hearted throughout with his humorous personality.
Huge admiration for Dawson for putting his truth out in the limelight. I can only imagine how challenging this must have been to experience these events never mind reliving the memories to write this novel.
I highly recommend to anyone interested in crime novels, or looking to see a side to the police force you may have not thought to be true.
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An absolutely outstanding read! Fully recommend to any crime/police loving readers, such a raw and emotional story, yet still manages to be witty and funny.
Dawson's personal experience of his progression throughout the police force, tackling corruption and crime really opened my eyes to how cruel the world can be. This reinforced that in times of doubt and unanticipated events, the fundamentality of family, love, trust and support is unparallel.
This must have been a very raw and challenging novel to write, having to relive events that Dawson most likely wanted to forget. But huge admiration for Dawson producing such an outstanding novel, showing us both the highs, and many lows that the joining the police has (exposing the true realities of a typical Glasgow cop - something which often goes unheard of).
For Dawson, you should be proud as I'm sure your family are.
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Finger of suspicion is a fantastic read, a must buy for any lovers of crime novels.
Dawson’s story details his almost unbelievable experiences within his time in the police. An aspiring young cop faces the difficulties of certain ego’s in his work, showing the reader that the term “bad guys” stretches further than the likes of car thieves and drug gangs.
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Wow! What a read! Dawson’s excellent story telling and comical tone left me wanting more.
A fantastic crime novel entailing the life of a rising cop who faces many struggles including pesky criminals and more shockingly, some of his former colleges!
Fingers crossed for a sequel!
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Beginning as a vividly described and extremely interesting insight into a journey through Policing of Glasgow's drug and crime areas, (that at times you can almost smell!), shifting from largely amusing to at times quite harrowing, events described within this book soon reveal that it is not only the city's drug dealers and areas of depravation that prove a risk to the officer at the centre of this tale, instead the very institution and those aligned to it that are responsible for serving justice, are exposed of harbouring an ugliness that even hardened criminals would likely find shocking. A great read, and a story all the more stunning as you are reminded throughout that these events are not a work of fiction but actually took place in the not too distant past, raising questions about what goes on among our institutions such as the police and court systems today.
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A brilliant read. We couldn’t put the book down once we started to hear about the real side of “Glasgows finest”
An honest account of an ambitious and driven good guy who was continually ground down.
Do yourself a favour and read it.
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If you want to know what working for the Police is like then look no further than this book.
Based on true events the author explains it in glorious detail from dealing with the criminals of Glasgow to the politics of police management and the judicial system.
Once you start this book you will not want to put it down as each chapter captivates the reader and leaves them wanting to know more.
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Couldn’t put this book down. Funny, sad, scary and detailed information about a post mortem I never thought I would read about. How Dale and his family coped during trying times is beyond me. A must read crime novel for everyone. Absolutely superb. Hope there’s more to follow as I was gripped.
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A warts and all insight of being a Glasgow police officer in the East end of Glasgow in the late 90's. Dale brilliantly depicts with both humour and raw emotion the day to day duties and experiences that a policeman faces. Written from the heart, he exposes the impact cronieism and nepotism had on his personal and family life and how this was was the more difficult part of the job than trying to "catch the bad guys".
It makes you question where the defining line lies between the crooks and the police.
At times funny, at times extremely sad and at times very very personal. He holds nothing back and bares his soul for the reader.
A truly great read and i personally cant wait in the hope there is a follow up.
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Fantastic book. Hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down. Dawson storytelling was superb. This is a must read if you like crime novels.
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Not a book reader but was recommended this one, and couldn't put it down. Caught me from a few pages in, and with the gritty, no messing storyline - LOVED IT......
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Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Loved the stories of drug searches, very detailed and I thought I was there. Poor treatment by the police against one of its own. Can’t recommend it enough.
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Some amazing stories in there and gives a great insight of what the police was really back in the day can’t wait to finish it!!
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Great read. Found it very interesting from start to finish. Avoids too much job speak which can be off-putting.
Is there more from this author?
Can’t see anything but look forward to another great read.
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When i started reading this book i couldn't put it down. It was gripping with so many good stories of drug searches and what it was like to be a cop. Absolutely fantastic book and couldn't recommend it enough. If you like crime books then this is a must. I genuinely hope that Dawson shares more with us about life in the police. Don't miss this story, respect to the author - he must be one strong guy!
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I found this book to be extremely riveting and hard to put down. I can only say how awful it must have been for Dale to go through all that trauma and come out at the end still married and sane. Very well written.
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Haven’t read a book for years. I found this book to be easy reading and hard to put down.
It gives you an insight to what goes on and how the Police treat their own staff that the public never see.
Very enjoyable
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Really enjoyable read and recommended to anyone who has an interest in police and criminal activities. It highlights a side of life most people don’t see and is humorous in parts where the author depicts some of the characters he encounters.
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Brilliant book. Couldn't put it down and the stories are funny at times until the real issues happen. Well worth a read.
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Absolutely brilliant book. Love crime stories and this hit the spot. I laughed, I almost cried when I read further into the book and what the police did to one of its own.
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Don't miss this one, hope to see it on TV as a crime drama someday. P.s. when is the next one out?
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What an excellent read. The insight into the Police in the 90s and beyond, made interesting reading. Sometimes funny, sometimes really sad and sometimes you just went really!!! How senior offices could treat the lower ranks with what appears complete distain. The old saying don't do as I do, do as I say. A superb and riveting read, well worth the money.
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What a fantastic read. Horrendous experiences covered in great detail and Dawson must be one tough guy to deal with what happened. Unmissable read and the drug searches and other stories were great. Don't miss this book, it's a must read.
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Great read throughout. Amazing recounting of stories of drug searches and murders which must have been a nightmare to deal with. Made worse by the way Dawson was treated by the police itself. Definitely worth buying an di hope there is more to come from this skilled writer.
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This book was recommended and it didn't disappoint me. Had be hooked from the start. I loved the police stories about drug searches and murders but couldn't put it down from chapter 7 - Albie. Fantastic book and well written. Hope Dawson's next book is as good.
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Loved this book so much. The events seemed real as i read them and i wished i was there. What happens to Dawson in this must have been a nightmare for him and his family. To survive that process is testament to him. Do not miss this crime book, if you like that type of book, then this is for you. Do not miss it.
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Riveting book about an era of Strathclyde Police that hopefully is no longer an accurate portrayal of policing in Scotland. It’s stark narrative of the incidents and the investigations including the one that ultimately ended his successful police career is a testament to the corruption and nepotism present then. As someone who was there during some stages I can attest to the accuracy of the accounts. Well done ‘Dale’ for exposing what happened. Hope you are well mate ?
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