Kinloch Tales: The Collected Stories

by Denzil Meyrick

Denzil Meyrick's three Tales from Kinloch are collected here in one paperback volume. From ghostly Vikings, to adventurous voyages, to old scores being settled, these stories are guaranteed to provide a fun-filled escape.

From the author of the global best-selling DCI Daley detective books, this is a series of nostalgic, humorous stories for fans of Scottish fiction like Neil Munro's Para Handy. Contains three stories featuring Sandy Hoynes and the crew of the Girl Maggie: A Large Measure of Snow, A Toast to the Old Stones and Ghosts in the Gloaming.

'Wonderfully atmospheric, best consumed on a chilly winter's night in front of a roaring fire with a bottle of single malt close to hand ... offers a brief, magical escape to a kinder, simpler time' – Roger Cox, The Scotsman

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2023

About the author

Denzil Meyrick was a Scottish bestselling novelist. Prior to that, he served as a police officer with Strathclyde Police then a manager with Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, Argyll. Since 2012 Denzil Meyrick had worked as a writer of Scottish crime fiction novels. He was also an executive director of media production company Houses of Steel.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book with three collected short stories is a very enjoyable read about the fishing community of Kinloch and its skipper Sandy Hoynes and his first mate Hamish, the latter also known as old Hamish in the DCI Daley series, by the sadly late Denzil Meyrick.

These three collected stories are each accompanied by a short saying, the first is by Franz Kafka, the second by Robert Burns and the third by Seneca.

Storytelling is great, all characters are very believable and lifelike, while the fishing community of Kinloch is wonderfully pictured with all its ups and downs, and not to forget the old traditions, elements of superstition and supernatural imaginings.

Skipper Sandy Hoynes and his first mate Hamish will entertain you with their frolics and their unique dialogue, while they will also show their seafaring skills in a most refreshing fashion throughout these very endearing tales.

Highly recommended, for this is in my mind a collector's item with superb short stories for everyone to enjoy.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denzil Meyrick's DCI Daley series is one of the few that has cliffhangers and leaves me wanting the next one, NOW! As it has come to an emd with the sad death of the author, I am lapping up anything I haven't read yet and this book is fantastic. It has three novellas, set a different time period in Kinloch, before DCI Daley, but it still has a few of the character we know in the younger days and I love them. The stories and traditions of the old fishermen are interesting, not to say humourous. I can't decide if this is better to read after you get to know Kinloch or if it should be used as an introduction to the town. Either way, it should be read.

[Pippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all the detective Daley books and liked Hamish as an old "sea dog" but just couldn't engage with these tales from his past life as a young man. Never mind there is a new Daley book soon so hopefully it will meet expectations.

[Johnboy Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a youngster who lived on a peninsula and used to use a ferry daily for my school commute, I used to love the Para Handy/Vital Spark stories by Neil Munro. This collection has sparked happy memories.
Loved it.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read all three stories, as seperate stories.
Enjoyed them all.