BLOODY SCOTLAND CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL AWARDS 2025

Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival announced the winners of two crime fiction prizes tonight. Congratulations, Tariq and David!

2025 McIlvanney Prize Scottish Crime Novel of the Year

The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani 

2025 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize Winner

A Reluctant Spy by David Goodman

BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE SHORTLIST

I missed posting the shortlist for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, so here it is. Thanks to TheRapSheet, I now have the info. There are five nominees for this year’s Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. And, if you missed it, here is the Longlist for the McIlvanney Prize. 

BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE SHORTLIST

• Crow Moon, by Suzy Aspley (Orenda)
• Dark Island, by Daniel Aubrey (Harper North)
• The Silent House of Sleep, by Allan Gaw (SA Press)
• Blood Runs Deep, by Doug Sinclair (Storm)
• Double Proof, by Martin Stewart (Polygon)

The 2024 festival will be held in Stirling, Scotland, September 13 to 15, where the winners will be announced.

BLOODY SCOTLAND International Crime Writing Festival: Sneak Peek

Bloody Scotland, Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival (September 13-15, 2024) announced a Peek at the Program, just ahead of next week's launch. These are the authors released as part of the 'sneaky peek.' Sounds fabulous..and this is only part of the program. 

Richard Armitage: Headlining the opening night, one of the UK’s most popular actors will talk about his debut thriller, Geneva. His string of acting credits include The Hobbit, North and South, Into the Storm, and Spooks.

Ann Cleeves: The creator of three outstanding crime series, two television dramas in Vera and Shetland and 26 novels translated into over 20 languages will be in conversation with Lin Anderson.  

Peter May: Launching the much-anticipated fourth book in the Lewis series, will be in conversation with Craig Robertson.

Louise Minchin: The BBC Breakfast TV presenter will talk about her debut novel, Isolation Island. The book draws heavily on her TV experience.

Ruth Ware: – The international bestselling crime writer, in conversation with Louise Minchin, discussing her new mystery, One Perfect Couple, chaired by TV and radio presenter, Bryan Burnett.

Tickets for all of these events are now on sale! See https://bloodyscotland.com/whats-on/ for details.

2023 McIlvanney Prize Shortlist: Bloody Scotland

The Shortlist for the 2023 McIlvanney Prize for Scotland's prestigious annual crime writing award, was announced. The Prize is named in memory of the 'Godfather of Tartan Noir', the great William McIlvanney: 

SQUEAKY CLEAN by Callum McSorley (Pushkin): the judges said: "A wonderfully rich and funny new voice in Scottish crime. McSorley has created characters you invest in and plot that keeps you hooked right from the start."

 

THE SECOND MURDERER by Denise Mina (Vintage): the judges said: "Seriously stylish and oozing with attitude, this Philip Marlowe mystery is an exquisite read."

 

CAST A COLD EYE by Robbie Morrison (Macmillan): the judges said: "A story inhabited by brilliantly drawn characters. Not just a crime novel but a vivid and immersive account of life in Glasgow in the 1930s."

 

THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND by Craig Russell (Little, Brown): the judges said: "Mesmerising from the start. Devilishly dark and dripping with menace. A breath-taking masterclass in twisty crime writing."

These events are part of a three-day annual showcase of crime writing at Bloody Scotland, which is Scotland's international crime writing festival. Both prizes are again sponsored by The Glencairn Glass, Kirsty Nicholson, Design and Marketing Manager at Glencairn Crystal, said: 

"Now in our third year of sponsoring these prestigious awards with the Glencairn Glass, we’re very proud to be a part of this amazing Scottish annual event in the world of crime fiction. We continue to be impressed and enthralled by the talented authors who enter and we wish everyone the very best of luck."

The 2023 Bloody Scotland festival begins at 1: 30pm on Friday, September 15 , with the final event concluding at 2pm on Sunday September 17. It takes place at various venues in the historic centre of Stirling, including the Albert Halls, Trinity Church, and the Golden Lion Hotel. 

SCOTTISH CRIME DEBUT OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST

The Shortlist for the Scottish Crime Debut of the Year. Winner will be announced at Bloody Scotland in September. Congratulations to all!

Scottish Crime Debut of the Year Shortlist

Tariq Ashkanani, Welcome to Cooper (Thomas & Mercer, Amazon)

Frankie Boyle, Meantime (John Murray).

Amanda Mitchison, The Wolf Hunters (Fledgling Press).

George Paterson, The Girl, The Crow, The Writer and The Fighter (Into Books).

Sarah Smith, Hear No Evil (Two Roads).

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Bloody Scotland is Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival, providing 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. Full information at bloodyscotland.com The festival takes place in various venues (including The Albert Halls, The Tollbooth and the social hub of the festival, The Golden Lion Hotel) in the historic town of Stirling from 15-18 September 2022.