Advertisement
Books

Top 5 books about crime as chosen by Liam McIlvanney

Prepare to be gripped by tales of horror, true-crime and of course, lots of terror…

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson

The classic Scottish crime novel, with a strong dash of gothic and a twist that will never be bettered. A ‘shilling shocker’ with the style and economy of a lyric poem. The fons et origoof Tartan Noir.

The Driver’s Seat
Muriel Spark

A boldly inventive book, in which the murder takes place at the end and the victim spends the entire novel searching for her killer. Spark takes the all the conventions of the crime novel and stands them on their head. Still has the power to shock.

A Place of Execution
Val McDermid

The queen of crime’s masterpiece. Beautifully constructed, with a flawless sense of place. A big, meaty, multilayered novel about power and its abuse, the past’s hold on the present, and the nature of knowledge. Read it now if you haven’t already.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
James Hogg

Is this, strictly speaking, even a crime novel? Who cares. It’s a chilling psychological study of a serial killer, a brilliantly vivid portrait of a divided society, and one of the finest Scottish novels ever written.

The Long Drop
Denise Mina

A gripping true-crime novel centred on the murderous career of Peter Manuel.Mina’s insight into the wellsprings of violence is terrifyingly acute and her eye for period detail is unsurpassed. A bravura reimagining of 1950s Glasgow.

The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival takes place in Stirling on September 21-23. The winner of the McIlvanney Prize for which Liam is shortlisted will be announced on the opening night.

Visit bloodyscotland.com for more 

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Mum-of-two shares experience of 'dehumanising' DWP benefits system: 'It could kill somebody'
Image of Naomi Lihou
Benefits

Mum-of-two shares experience of 'dehumanising' DWP benefits system: 'It could kill somebody'

UK's 'cruel' benefits system is 'ruining lives' and 'violating human rights', Amnesty report finds
keir starmer walking
Benefits

UK's 'cruel' benefits system is 'ruining lives' and 'violating human rights', Amnesty report finds

Widower of disabled woman in bitter, years-long legal battle after DWP denied him benefits
Department for Work and Pensions

Widower of disabled woman in bitter, years-long legal battle after DWP denied him benefits

Transphobia and homophobia are terrible for the economy, report finds
London Trans+ Pride
LGBTQ+ rights

Transphobia and homophobia are terrible for the economy, report finds

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue