There's a chance to grab a copy of some of my books for just 99p on your Amazon Kindle for the next few days. My publisher has dropped the price of 'All We Cannot Leave Behind' - a historical thriller set in Edinburgh in the 1920s - to just 99p on Amazon in the UK and the US. And 'Full Sun' - the first Cal Jackson novel set in present day Glasgow, following an ex-prisoner trying to stay out of trouble - is only 99p on Amazon (UK only).

Sad news to end the month on with the passing of Scottish author Peter May, only a week after I had finally got round to reading his best known work, The Blackhouse. That was in amongst four books by another crime writing Peter - Peter James - as I prepare to host an author event with him in October to help launch his latest Roy Grace novel (no.

Some exciting news to share. It doesn't have a cover yet, but HOPEMAN, the third in the Cal Jackson series, is written and has a page on my publisher's website. The team at The Book Guild are busy with the final edits and cover design, all in time for publication in February next year. If you're really keen, you can pre-order the paperback from The Book Guild now, and HOPEMAN will soon start appearing on all the usual bookseller websites for pre-order soon as well.

As summer draws to a close, here's what I've been reading over the past couple of months: July was very much summer reading season, with some quick page turners picked up while on holiday, but the standout was Georges Simenon and the concluding part of the 'Wicked' quadrilogy from Gregory Maguire: Letter To My Judge - Georges Simenon ****Out Of Oz - Gregory Maguire *****

LIMITED TIME ONLY DEAL: Get ALL WE CANNOT LEAVE BEHIND for only 99p / 99c. My publisher has dropped the price of the ebook of ALL WE CANNOT LEAVE BEHIND across all ebook readers for the next few days. Perfect for readers of Historical Fiction and Crime Thrillers. Grab a copy now - AMAZON The blurb: Edinburgh, 1920. Three children are missing, abducted from the poorhouses of the city.

I'm delighted to announce my profile is now included in the Scottish Book Trust's Live Literature Directory. The directory is a resource for libraries, bookshops, schools and other institutions to find writers and authors based in Scotland who are available for author talks, panels, events and teaching. As my path into writing did not follow the traditional path - my first three books were self-published and I am not published by one of the big traditional publishers - I had to submit work to a panel who would determine if the quality of work was good enough to be included in the directory.

From July 5 to July 12 in the UK and US, all 3 books in The State Trilogy will be just 99p / 99c on Amazon Kindle. Pick up your copies here:Amazon UKAmazon US And Full Sun remains at just 99p (UK only) on Amazon.Amazon UK Why not pick up a summer read for the holidays?

After a quiet few weeks, it was nice to be back at a couple of events in the last week - one as an audience member, and one as a host. Callum McSorley has quickly become a leading author of the Scottish Crime Fiction scene, and I was delighted when he invited me to host an evening talking about his new book 'Rat Race' at our local Waterstones in East Kilbride.

A quieter month in terms of writing and events, mainly concentrating on the day job - but I still found time for a strong month of reading with some top notch Scottish Crime fiction, the return of a couple of favourite characters and series, and book of the year so far - London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe - a real eye opener about corruption, the rich and how the world really works, all centered around a family tragedy.

Over the last couple of months, I've rediscovered the joy of reading graphic novels. Alongside those, its a collection of disreputable characters this month, both fiction and non-fiction. Short reviews available on my Goodreads, Fable and Storygraph accounts. After a lovely trip to Waterstones Oban last week, I have a month without any book events scheduled - time to get on with some writing - but looking further ahead, I'm hosting award-winning author Callum McSorley for his book launch 'Rat Race' at Waterstones East Kilbride in June, and at the end of the year, I will be part of a stellar line up of writers for a festive treat at the Wee Bookshop in Dollar.

A collection of short stories, contemporary literary reads and a mix of fictional and true crime. All of the books this month were picked up while I was touring around bookshops with my own new publication, HOSTILE CITY, So thanks to the local stores - Daydreams Bookshop in Milngavie, Caffeinated Escapism Bookstore in Alexandria, The Book Nook Stewarton and my local Waterstones in East Kilbride - all of which stock a selection of my titles.

It's been a busy month as HOSTILE CITY has been launched into the world. I've had the pleasure of three events this month - a book signing at Waterstones in East Kilbride, followed by author events at the wonderful Daydreams Bookshop in Milngavie, where I was returning for the second time, and then an evening at Caffeinated Escapism Bookstore, a new shop in Alexandria.

January Reads - a mix of true crime, crime fiction, literary giants, Booker prize winners and nostalgia with Back to the Future. A strong start to 2026! Zodiac - Robert Graysmith *****My Mother's Murder - Gina McGavin ****Marble Hall Murders - Anthony Horowitz *****Son of a Witch - Gregory Maguire ****If On a Winter's Night A Traveller - Italio Calvino ***

Today is the day that HOSTILE CITY is officially published. You can now get the ebook and paperback from all the usual online retailers as well as through your local bookstores. For more information and the book and links to get a copy go HERE. To celebrate the day, I would like to highlight the local bookshops around Glasgow and further afield that are already stocking the book, and say a massive THANK YOU to the booksellers for their continued support.

Last week, in between visiting some lovely bookshops ahead of the publication of my new novel HOSTILE CITY, I had an author event with a difference, and a visit to a place I never thought my writing would ever take me - Scotland's oldest and largest prison, HMP Barlinnie, on the outskirts of Glasgow. I was invited by the Scottish Prison Service to give a talk about my writing and books in the prison's Resource Hub, which includes a library and a Communications area where prisoners create an inhouse podcast, radio station and have recently started creating visual media too - so as well as my writing, I was able to talk to the prisoners about my experience from my day job in TV editing.

Delighted to confirm the first couple of author events for the launch my new novel HOSTILE CITY. On 7th February I will be at Waterstones in East Kilbride to sign copies of the book. Do come along for a chat and pick up a copy if you are nearby! Then on 19th February, I will be returning to the fabulous Daydream Bookshop in Milngavie to talk about the book and sign copies.

An uneven month of reading to round out the year: a couple of high hopes that fell flat, but also a couple of little gems that were a delight, and some dark, Scottish fiction perfect for the long winter nights. Benbecula - Graeme Macrae Burnett ****Crow Moon - Suzy Aspley *****Quantum of Menace - Vaseem Khan ***The Outsider - Stephen King ***

The first review of my new novel HOSTILE CITY has arrived. No matter how many books I have written, it's still a moment of trepidation to see what readers make of it, especially as I don't use beta readers before publication. With more books comes the added pressure of hopefully pleasing readers who have read my previous work, as well as enticing new readers.

An early Christmas present for me, from my publisher The Book Guild - advance copies of HOSTILE CITY have arrived! Looking good if I do say so myself. The 2nd Cal Jackson thriller won't hit the shops until January but if you can't wait or want a signed copy, then drop me a message. I'll also be sharing some news about upcoming author events around the launch of the book next year very soon.

Another busy month filled with great books, featuring a mix of spies, crime, dystopia, World War II - and sometimes a mix of all! A number of the books this month were bought from local bookshops (I always lose money at author events as I buy more than I sell) - please shop local where you can this Christmas. Short reviews available on my Goodreads page.

A couple of weeks ago, around Halloween, I read this short scene out as my contribution to Noir at the Bar Milngavie. Although some said nice things about it, it didn't seem to go down too well with the crowd - possibly a bit too dark! I'll leave it here and you can judge for yourself! A VAMPIRE STORY…

Here's the books I managed to read during a busy October, with a definite feel of the Halloween season with classic horror featuring witches, Satan and telekinesis. Also managed to finally complete The Folio Society editions of the original Ian Fleming 'James Bond' books, and always a pleasure to take a trip with Michael Palin. Short reviews available on Goodreads as always. Carrie *****Rosemary's Baby *****The Ghost Woods *****The Redemption of Alexander Seaton *****Michael Palin in Venezuela ****Octopussy & The Living Daylights ****

Last night (October 29), some of the best crime writers in Scotland, and me, gathered with a sell out crowd of 60 readers at the Talbot Arms pub for the first ever Milngavie Noir at the Bar. Organised by Daydreams Bookshop, each author read a short piece of their work, in between drinks, chat and bookselling and signing. Compered by Daniel 'Vampire' Sellers, the line up featured Caro Ramsay, Callum McSorley, Claire Wilson, Emma Christie, Alex Kane, Suzy Aspley, George Paterson, Inga Vesper and Sharon Bairden (with axe).

Last weekend, I headed up to the Moray coast and the town of Nairn, for an appearance at the Nairn Books & Arts Festival. Appearing as part of the 'Wine & Crime' event in the local community centre I chatted with fellow crime author Douglas Skelton about FULL SUN, before I chaired the following session with the lovely Natalie Jayne Clarke, discussing her entertaining debut novel THE MALT WHISKY MURDERS.