Laidlaw (1977) by William McIlvanney

Hamish’s choices

*THEME: No theme*

READ: Laidlaw (1977) by William McIlvanney

It was a thumbs up for this seminal novel by William McIlvanney that is widely credited with inventing the "Tartan Noir" genre. It introduced a new kind of detective to the literary world: the philosophising, compassionate, and deeply flawed Jack Laidlaw. 

Set in 1970s Glasgow, the story begins with the brutal rape and murder of a young woman named Jennifer Lawson in Kelvingrove Park. Detective Inspector Jack Laidlaw is assigned to the case, assisted by a young, ambitious partner, Brian Harkness. 

Authors like Ian Rankin and Val McDermid have cited Laidlaw as a major influence on their work

Nick 6.5 / Tristan 7 / Nigel 8 / Keith 7 / Robin 8.5 / Hamish 8 / Roland - did not read

LISTEN: Roads Vol. 3 by Thylacine

French producer Thylacine (William Rezé) released Roads Vol. 3 on October 31, 2025, completing another ambitious chapter in his "musical nomadism" series. After exploring Argentina (Vol. 1) and the Faroe Islands (Vol. 2), Rezé took his famous 1972 Airstream mobile studio into the heart of Namibia for three months.

The result is a breathtaking, 11-track sonic diary that balances high-energy melodic techno with deep, anthropological field recordings.

The album was born from a journey across 7,000 miles of Namibian terrain. Unlike many electronic producers who sample world music from a distance, Thylacine’s process is immersive. He lived in the desert, recording the sounds of the environment—wind, sand footsteps, and wildlife—while collaborating directly with local communities like the Himba and Mafwe.

A beguiling mix of danceable melodic techno and meditative soundscapes and more ambient magic

Nick 10 / Tristan 5 / Nigel 8 / Keith 6 / Robin 9 / Hamish 8 / Roland - did not listen

WATCH: House of America (1997) 

A very odd, incredibly bleak film which didn’t work for some of us. 

The cast is good, as is the soundtrack, but the far fetched script made it hard to take seriously. 

An extreme vision of post-industrial Wales, from the extremity of the post-industrial Welsh mining town setting to the drink fuelled Kerouac fantasies via fights, car thefts, shoplifting and the icky incest.

Nick - / Tristan 7 / Nigel 3 / Keith 7 / Robin - did not watch / Hamish 5 / Roland - did not watch

HBG endorse it: 14th November 2025 - 8 January 2026

PLACES

Rivoli Ballroom, Brockley

TV

Pluribus (Apple TV)

FILM

Marty Supreme (2025)

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (2025)

Le Samouraï (1967) (listed on Prime as The Samurai) (Prime)

MUSIC

Rockaway Beach 2026, Butlins, Bognor Regis

ANIMALS

Koalas

EXHIBITIONS

Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES at the Hayward Gallery