Gordon and Sarah Rutherford are normal, happy people with rich, fulfilling lives. They have a son they adore, a house on the beach and a safe, friendly community in a picture-postcard town.
Until, one day, Bonnie the labrador comes in from the beach alone. Their son, Rory, has gone - the only trace left behind is a single black sandal.
Their lives don't fall apart immediately. While there's still hope, they dig deep and try to carry on.
But as desperation mounts, arms around shoulders become fingers pointed - at friends, family, strangers, each other. Without any answers, only questions remain. Who can they trust? How far will they go to find out what happened to Rory?
And the deadliest question of all: what could be worse than your child disappearing?
When the truth begins to emerge, they find themselves in a world they could barely have imagined.
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The Good Father by Liam McIlvanney was published on 3 July 2025 by Zaffre. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour
The Good Father is a stunning crime novel, the writing is exquisite, the plot development is sublime. Each character is meticulously created and the Scottish setting is perfect. Yes, I loved this one!
It is a truth universally acknowledged in the world of crime fiction that the 'missing child' theme is very popular with authors. However, sometimes it isn't done so well, and occasionally it is done so brilliantly that you wonder if any other author will ever attempt it!
Gordon and Sarah Rutherford live by the sea in Scotland with their seven-year-old son Rory. Their life is happy and content, they are surrounded by beautiful countryside. It's a good life.
Until the day that their dog Bonnie returns from the beach alone. Rory has disappeared, there is no sign of him, just a solitary black slider, nothing else, no clue.
The novel begins seven years after Rory's disappearance and is narrated by Gordon. Gordon is bitter, angry, hurt, grieving; all of the emotions, tearing through him all of the time. The reader learns how Sarah and Gordon's relationship altered as the years went by, we hear about Gordon's own childhood, we watch as he makes contact with other parents of missing children. It is emotional stuff and so well written. The reader almost feels as though they are spying on these people, intruding on their lives, it is beautifully done.
And then, the twist that puts everything on its head and alters the story so much, and it's a cracker. If you were invested before this part, you certainly will be from here on, right through to the shocking ending.
Liam McIlvanney is so very very talented. This book is so gripping, so emotional and so tense. I loved it and highly recommend it.
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