James Oswald - What Will Burn (Blog Tour) James reading from Bury Them Deep on his launch tour for the book in 2020 Published by Wildfire Books, hardback £16.99. I received a proof copy of the novel from the publisher for review purposes. Many thanks to Antonia Whitton at Headline for inviting me to join the … Continue reading Review: What Will Burn
Tag: Scotland
Review: The Cutting Room
Louise Welsh - The Cutting Room Published by Canongate Books, paperback £8.99. I bought this book new. Since it won the Crime Writers Association John Creasey New Blood dagger in 2002, Louise Welsh's The Cutting Room has become a modern classic of Scottish literature, as well as something of a touchstone for those looking to stretch … Continue reading Review: The Cutting Room
Review: The Blood Is Still
Douglas Skelton - The Blood Is Still Published by Polygon Books, paperback £8.99. I received a copy of the novel from the publisher for review purposes. I had the pleasure of reviewing Douglas Skelton's last novel, Thunder Bay, for The Scotsman, which allowed me to shout to a wide audience about the absolute triumph it was. … Continue reading Review: The Blood Is Still
Review: The Big Chill
Doug Johnstone - The Big Chill Published by Orenda Books, paperback £8.99. I received a proof copy of the novel for review purposes. Six months on from the events of A Dark Matter - which saw the Skelf women deal with death and betrayal, alongside running a funeral directors and a private investigation business after … Continue reading Review: The Big Chill
Review: Bad Memory
Lisa Gray - Bad Memory Thomas & Mercer paperback, £8.99. I bought this new. The path from journalist to novelist is a well-worn one, and for good reason - the love of and a confidence in the use of words, the discipline of writing to a deadline and the familiarity of being edited are staples … Continue reading Review: Bad Memory
Review: No Place To Die
Neil Broadfoot - No Place To Die Published by Constable, paperback £8.99. My review is of the hardback edition (Constable, £19.99), which I received a copy of from the author. Venture capitalist-turned-lifestyle guru Blair Charlston has chosen a luxury hotel on the outskirts of Stirling to deliver his message to the faithful at a weekend … Continue reading Review: No Place To Die
Feature: Granite Noir 2020
Festival programmer Lee Randall chats with Denise Mina and Helen FitzGerald about their work Authors and fans are ready to solve a murder or two in Aberdeen - Granite Noir 2020 preview February’s weather is cold, dark and stormy - perfect for curling up with a good book. However, if you’re a crime fiction lover … Continue reading Feature: Granite Noir 2020
Review: Perfect Crime
Helen Fields - Perfect Crime Published by Avon Books, paperback £7.99. I bought this book new. For her previous book, Perfect Silence, Helen Fields did a pop-up signing at Bloody Scotland in Stirling. I snaffled a copy - new-to-me-author? yes please! - and while I felt the plot pushed the boundaries hard in terms of … Continue reading Review: Perfect Crime
Feature PS: Bloody Scotland 2019
The 2019 McIlvanney Prize longlist was one of the strongest I've seen in all the years I've been following it, and I say that having read the majority of it before the list was published, and the rest (bar the two debuts, marked *) since. I mean, just feast your eyes on all that crime … Continue reading Feature PS: Bloody Scotland 2019
Review: Conviction
Denise Mina - Conviction Published by Vintage, paperback £8.99. My review is of the hardback edition (Harvill Secker, £14.99) purchased new. The prologue - which speaks of telling the truth and reveals the fact our main character, Anna, is actually called Sophie - immediately puts your senses on high alert. Anna is married to Hamish, … Continue reading Review: Conviction
