Scottish crime fiction, often labelled 'tartan noir', is a broad and diverse genre that goes beyond clichés. Novelists from William McIlvanney and Ian Rankin to Denise Mina deliver gut-punch thrills while never forgetting the human cost of crime. The genre is driven by issues of duality, redemption, the nature of good and evil, and a dark humour.
Craig Robertson, a director of the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival and founder of Bute Noir, selects 10 novels that represent this tradition. His list includes Laidlaw by William McIlvanney, which he describes as the DNA of all Scottish crime fiction. The novel uses a brutal murder to highlight Glasgow's social and criminal injustices, with DI Jack Laidlaw as a flawed but compelling protagonist.
Other notable entries include The Cutting Room by Louise Welsh, a gothic tale set in Glasgow's underworld; The Jump by Doug Johnstone, which tackles suicide and redemption; and The Long Drop by Denise Mina, a blend of fact and fiction about serial killer Peter Manuel. Robertson also highlights Hide and Seek by Ian Rankin, where Rebus investigates a junkie's death against establishment opposition, and Quite Ugly One Morning by Chris Brookmyre, a satirical mystery with sharp social commentary.
Robertson's own novel, Watch Him Die, is set partly in Glasgow and Los Angeles, reflecting the genre's international reach. He emphasises that Scottish crime fiction is not limited to tartan or noir, but encompasses a wide range of styles and themes.
