Books
A crime thriller in a turbulent period of history
Scottish crime fiction is a wonderfully rich and diverse area, as authors all over the land create their own characters and scenarios, with murders to solve. Unlike many others, Douglas Watt has taken a slight twist on the genre, by turning back the clock, as investigative advocate John MacKenzie cracks crimes in the 17th century…
Read MoreA moving novel with a forgotten Scottish shame
In 1950s Scotland, thousands of children were removed from their families for a ‘better life’ in the rural idyll of the Scottish Highlands as ‘boarded-out’ children. In Mick, by Willie Orr, he has crafted the moving story of Mick Crossan, removed by social services from his widowed mother and slum home in the Gorbals and…
Read MoreFinding what it means to be Scottish post-Brexit
What does it mean to be Scottish? According to the film Trainspotting (and I’ll paraphrase by removing the expletives)… It’s not great being Scottish. We’re the lowest of the low! The scum of the Earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash, that was released into civilisation! For others, it means having an enduring sense…
Read MoreA fascinating fiction on the power of objects
Set in a shared flat where two of the novel’s three narrators reside, Bitterhall is a tantalising deepdive into the characters’ lives. As the consequences of a mysterious stolen 19th century diary begin to unravel, the mundane existence of the protagonists is shattered. McClory expertly conveys the power of objects and the impact they can…
Read MoreThe mystery of the missing Roman legion
The disappearance of Lego IX Hispana has long been a mystery, sparking debate and theories for decades. In this fascinating book, Missing Legion, Simon Elliott sets out in great detail the evidence for some of these theories. Elliott’s writing style makes the book easy to follow and understand even if you are not familiar with…
Read MoreA fascinating tale based on true-life events
In a Veil of Mist is based on the true life but little-known event of Operation Cauldron. In 1952, during the Cold War, germ warfare experiments were taking place on a ship off the coast of the Isle of Lewis. The book delves into the lives of two locals who begin to suspect something is…
Read MoreA celebration of Scotland’s great outdoors in winter
Wild Winter tells of the author’s exploration of Scotland’s mountains during the winter months. From October to March he travelled around the country seeking nature and adventure. Burns’ account of life in the hills is thought-provoking as he touches upon important subjects like conservation and environmental issues. This book acts as a reminder of the…
Read MoreTwo cases in a thrilling read set in 1970s Glasgow
The April Dead, the newest novel following detective Harry McCoy, takes place after a homemade bomb explodes in a Glasgow flat. With little evidence at his disposal, McCoy must unearth who is to blame before the situation worsens. At the same time McCoy has to deal with a missing American who vanished from the nearby…
Read MoreCelebrating a fascinating explorer of the Victorian era
Author Jacki Hill-Murphy has travelled to some of the lesser explored parts of the world to recreate the journeys of female explorers from the past. This book focuses on Isabella Bird the 4ft 11in force of nature who explored, amongst others, India, Japan and New Zealand. Hill-Murphy recounts the story of Bird beautifully, paying homage…
Read MoreStephen King joins the 2021 hybrid Bloody Scotland
International Crime Writing Festival Bloody Scotland has revealed its most ambitious programme yet. The event provides a showcase for the best crime writing from Scotland and the world, unique in that it was set up by a group of Scottish crime writers in 2012. A hybrid festival which gives festival goers in Stirling the full-on…
Read More