"Val McDermid's award-winning, internationally bestselling novels have captivated readers for over three decades. In her new novel 1979, she returns to the past with the story of an investigative journalist whose work leads her into a world of corruption, terror, and murder. It's only January, and the year has already brought blizzards, strikes, power cuts, and political unrest. But for journalist Allie Burns, bad news provides an opportunity to escape the "women's stories" to which her editors confine her. Striking up an alliance with wannabe investigative journalist Danny Sullivan, she begins covering international tax fraud, then gets wind of a group of Scottish ultranationalists aiming to cause mayhem ahead of the devolution referendum. Their stories quickly get attention, and create enemies for the two young up-and-comers. Are they enough to provoke the ultimate revenge?"-- Provided by publisher.