Read Scotland 2018 discussion

Recommend Scottish books and favourite Scottish authors here...

A friend is looking for a Scottish mystery that is both cozy and good for discussion. I think this might be hard to find....something that isn't dark, but has enough depth to allow for lots of discussion in a book group. Does anyone have any ideas? I think Ian Rankin might be just a bit too "rough" for this group. I haven't read Val McDermid (other than her Emma re-write which I loved) and wonder if she is about the same as Rankin in terms of language and content?

ReadingScotland wrote: "A friend is looking for a Scottish mystery that is both cozy and good for discussion. I think this might be hard to find....something that isn't dark, but has enough depth to allow for lots of disc..."
Maybe try Death on a Longship by Marsali Taylor. It's not nearly as dark as a lot of Scottish mystery/crime novels or Coffin Road by Peter May which was stranger but less disturbing than his Lewis Trilogy.

thanks Susan!

Just saw this in the Guardian, that looks interesting potentially:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

ReadingScotland wrote: "A friend is looking for a Scottish mystery that is both cozy and good for discussion. I think this might be hard to find....something that isn't dark, but has enough depth to allow for lots of disc..."

Susanna Kearsley's Winter Sea, dual time line mystery. Good bookclub book. There are even bookclub discussion questions here: http://www.litlovers.com/reading-guid...

I don't understand how these series has only so few ratings, it is just so good.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Melanie wrote: "I don't understand how these series has only so few ratings, it is just so good.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4..."
I like the sound of this, will have to give it a try.

Anyone read this? Sounds good.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Melanie wrote: "Anyone read this? Sounds good.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

The author rings a bell, I think I read a book of hers about a modern Jack the Ripper unless I've got my authors mixed up. It was a bit graphic but gripping - this sounds more up my street. Let me know your thoughts if you read it, Melanie :)

Melanie wrote: "Anyone read this? Sounds good.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

Hadn't come across it but like the sound of it and another one of hers Dead Woman Walkingthat I've just found while looking up the other one.

Now I just need my local library to finish updating the computer catalogue - haven't been able to browse and reserve from home for months and it was such a handy thing to be able to do, especially if the book you want is at the other side of the county.

Susan wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Anyone read this? Sounds good.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

Hadn't come across it but like the sound of it and another one of hers [book:Dead Woman Walki..."

I understand the frustration, our library swapped their systems over a couple of years ago and thinking again they might change to a completely different system. Not good.

Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem to love anything they write:

Jane Harris

James Robertson

Also, a favourite in this group, I would highly recommend:
His Bloody Project: Documents Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae
by Graeme Macrae Burnet

Always looking for new authors and books so interested to see your top recommendations...?

Ellen wrote: "Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem to love anything they write:

Jane Harris

[author..."

His Bloody Project is on my list. I shall read it when we go on holiday to the Wester Ross this year.

For some light reading, I like the mysteries by Mary Stewart, she was a Scottish author and some of her books are set in Scotland.

For some more high brow historical fiction: Dorothy Dunnet's Lymond Chronicles. Currently re-reading the series, on book 5 for this year and I adore her.

Ellen wrote: "Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem to love anything they write:

Jane Harris

[author..."

At the moment, my two favourite Scottish authors are [author:Iain Banks|7628] and Christopher Brookmyre, but my choices at any moment in time will usually reflect how I feel at that time - next week my favourites could be different.

my 2 favorite Scottish authors based in Scotland are James Oswald & Ian Rankin with Stuart MacBride a close 3rd.

Ellen wrote: "Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem to love anything they write:

Jane Harris

[author..."

As a total crime nut I'd have to go with Quintin Jardine, James Oswald and then Stuart MacBride. I've read a lot of their books several times and I'm still not bored of them even though I know what happens.

Susan wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem to love anything they write:

[author:Jane Harris|296712..."
Ian Rankin, James Oswald & Stuart MacBride...I have to also add Ann Cleeves.

Ellen wrote: "Susan wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem to love anything they write:

[author:Jane..."
Thanks for the reminder Ellen, I also love Ann Cleeves.

Susan wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Susan wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem to love anything they write: ..."
The VERA books are so different from the MacBride & Oswald books. The workplace stress isn't there and either is that social life in the pubs. At least I haven't noticed any similarities.

Ellen wrote: "my 2 favorite Scottish authors based in Scotland are James Oswald & Ian Rankin with Stuart MacBride a close 3rd."

Susan wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem to love anything they write:

[author:Jane Harris|296712..."

These authors are on my radar so glad to see I'm going for the right ones. Never tried Stuart MacBride or (shock horror) an Ian Rankin, I think.

Is Ann Cleeves from Scotland? I love Vera on TV (gutted to find the lastest series over so quickly!) I used to live in Cumbria close to Northumbria, different but the same. Need to try a Vera book!

Angela wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Susan wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Susan wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just wondering, what are everyone's top favourite authors with links to Scotland?

I've got two Scottish authors that I seem t..."

Is M.C Beaton a cosy mystery - like Agatha Christie? I love an occasional Agatha murder! Thinking I fancy a Scottish version :)

I've added Peter May to my top Scottish authors list; I just finished the 2nd in the Lewis Trilogy-The Lewis Man. Excellent in depth story by a most excellent story teller. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

Some of you may find this interesting, the longlist for the Mcilvanney Prize has been announced, Scottish crime fiction award:

https://bloodyscotland.com/announceme...

Melanie wrote: "Some of you may find this interesting, the longlist for the Mcilvanney Prize has been announced, Scottish crime fiction award:

https://bloodyscotland.com/announceme......"

Oooh! Well spotted Melanie - thanks for sharing :)