On the 28th of August 2002, Brian Birt lost his much-loved son, Darren, aged just 22. Some 16 years on, this book tells the harrowing story of his continuing fight for justice, his tangible (and understandable) frustrations with the flawed Scottish legal system, and his determination to see his son's murderers pay for their heinous crime. As he says, four lives were lost the day Darren died, not just his. The Forgotten Murder - Justice for Darren isn't just about a father's unsurmountable grief and his family's heartbreak, it's also a moving memoir which begins with his earliest memories as a young boy in Glasgow. As the third eldest child (of eleven) of Bingo Annie (a protestant) and his father, The Fighting Irish, (a staunch Catholic) he has an eclectic mix of anecdotes and memories to share - which he does with honesty and relish. He also touches on the devastation that mental health struggles have on families, and the barbaric way in which those struggling were dealt with in the latter half of the 20th century. What also makes this book such a thought-provoking and memorable read is the author's presentation of his Catholic faith and his struggles with his relationship with God during some of the darkest times of his life. This very candid and forthright insight into the author's life will evoke a whole range of emotions for anyone who reads it, and it will linger in one's mind for a long time after too.
