If you enjoy reading novels by William McIlvanney then you might also like the following authors:
Ian Rankin is best known for his crime novels featuring Detective Inspector John Rebus, a character who navigates Scotland’s dark underbelly. In “Knots and Crosses,” Rebus finds himself caught up in a series of murders in Edinburgh.
The killer sends cryptic messages that seem to target Rebus personally. As the investigation unfolds, the story dives into Rebus’s past and the secrets he keeps buried. The book explores the toll of police work and the struggles of a man haunted by his own history.
If you enjoy gritty, character-driven crime stories set in Scotland, this one is a strong start.
Val McDermid is a Scottish crime writer known for sharp storytelling and vivid characters. Her book “The Mermaids Singing” introduces profiler Tony Hill and detective Carol Jordan as they hunt a serial killer targeting men in a small English city.
The killer leaves disturbing clues, making each crime more unsettling than the last. As Hill and Jordan piece together the case, they uncover a chilling pattern that keeps you hooked. If you enjoy gritty, character-driven mystery, McDermid’s writing is worth exploring.
Denise Mina is a Scottish author known for her gritty crime novels that dive into complex characters and dark storylines. One of her standout books is “The Long Drop,” which weaves fact and fiction around a real-life murder case in 1950s Glasgow.
The story follows William Watt, a man accused of killing his family, as he meets Peter Manuel, a convicted killer who claims to know the truth. Over the course of a single night, secrets unfold, and both men’s motives come into question.
It’s a haunting look at guilt, lies, and the shadowy corners of human nature, set against the backdrop of a city deeply marked by class divides and post-war struggles.
Peter May is a Scottish author known for writing crime novels with a strong sense of place and atmosphere. One of his books, “The Blackhouse,” is set on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.
The story follows Detective Fin Macleod, who returns to the island of his childhood to investigate a murder. As Fin digs deeper, he uncovers more than just the case—he’s forced to confront painful memories from his past.
The rugged landscape and the isolation of the island play a huge role in the story, making it feel as much a part of the mystery as the characters themselves. If you enjoy McIlvanney’s gritty storytelling in a Scottish setting, this book might grab your attention.
Stuart MacBride writes gritty crime novels set in Scotland, often filled with dark humor and complex characters. His book “Cold Granite” introduces Detective Sergeant Logan McRae, who returns to work after recovering from an injury.
He quickly finds himself investigating the murder of a child in the gray and damp streets of Aberdeen. The story pulls readers into the harsh realities of the city, where horrific crimes clash with the dry wit of the detectives doing their jobs.
It’s a moody, atmospheric mystery where no one feels safe, and the twists keep coming. Fans of William McIlvanney might enjoy the raw edge and flawed humanity in MacBride’s world.
Louise Welsh is a Scottish author known for her atmospheric crime novels. One of her standout works is “The Cutting Room,” a dark and smartly written book set in Glasgow. It follows Rilke, an auctioneer, who stumbles across disturbing photographs in a deceased man’s estate.
As Rilke pieces together the story behind the images, he’s led into a shadowy world of secrets and danger. Welsh captures Glasgow’s gritty side, and her characters feel raw and real.
If you enjoy McIlvanney’s work, especially his way of exploring human flaws, Welsh might be a writer to check out.
Alexander McCall Smith is a Scottish author known for his heartwarming and thoughtful storytelling. One of his best-known works is “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” which introduces Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s first female private detective.
The book follows her as she solves cases that deal with everyday lives, morality, and human nature. In one case, she investigates a missing husband while, in another, she looks into the suspicious behavior of a doctor.
The mix of mystery and charm in the setting makes the story stand out. Readers who appreciate character-driven tales with a strong sense of place might find his work worth exploring.
Adrian McKinty is an Irish author known for crime novels set against vividly drawn backdrops. One of his standout books is “The Chain.” The story begins when a woman named Rachel gets a shocking phone call.
Her daughter has been kidnapped, and to get her back, she must kidnap another child. If she refuses, someone else in the chain may harm her daughter.
The book pulls you into a terrifying scenario where ordinary people are forced to do unthinkable things to protect their loved ones. McKinty blends tense action with layers of moral complexity, creating a chilling and unique crime story.
James Oswald is a Scottish author known for his crime novels that blend mystery with deeper layers of human struggle. One of his standout books is “Natural Causes,” the first in the Inspector McLean series.
The story introduces Detective Inspector Tony McLean, a thoughtful and determined investigator based in Edinburgh. When a young woman’s body is discovered during a routine property renovation, the murder appears to be ritualistic.
As McLean tries to uncover the truth, he finds himself drawn into a case tied to dark secrets and old crimes. Oswald combines the grit of a police procedural with a distinct atmosphere, giving readers the sense that danger lurks in every corner of the city.
Graham Macrae Burnet is a Scottish author known for crafting atmospheric crime stories with depth and nuance. One of his standout books is “His Bloody Project.”
It’s set in a remote Scottish village in 1869 and centers on a young man named Roderick Macrae, who is accused of a brutal murder. The story unfolds through trial records, witness statements, and memoirs written by Roderick himself.
It pulls you into the bleak life of the Highlands while leaving room for readers to question motives, character, and even the truth. Fans of McIlvanney’s layered storytelling and exploration of moral ambiguity might find Burnet’s work worth exploring.
Ann Cleeves is a master of crime fiction who crafts stories with rich, atmospheric settings and layered characters. In her book “Raven Black,” the story begins on the remote Shetland Islands when a young girl is found dead in the snow.
Suspicion falls on a reclusive elderly man, but detective Jimmy Perez soon uncovers secrets within the tight-knit community. The story weaves through the lives of the islanders, revealing tensions and hidden truths that keep you hooked.
Cleeves captures the bleak beauty of the islands and the quiet struggles of life in an isolated place. If you enjoy stories where the setting feels as important as the plot, this book is worth exploring.
Tana French is an author known for creating atmospheric crime novels with layered characters and strong sense of place. Her book “In the Woods” is the first in the Dublin Murder Squad series.
It follows Rob Ryan, a detective investigating the murder of a young girl found in a forest near Dublin. Years earlier, two children disappeared in the same woods, and Rob, the only one found, has no memory of what happened.
As he dives into the new case, his own past comes creeping back, adding tension to the story. French’s writing pulls you into the lives of her characters, making you feel as though you are right there with them.
George Pelecanos is a crime writer known for his raw, street-level stories. His book “The Night Gardener” is set in Washington, D.C., and follows investigators working to unravel an old murder case when a new death reveals eerie similarities.
Along the way, the story peels back the lives of broken families, weary detectives, and a city haunted by its secrets. Pelecanos builds vivid characters who feel layered and real, which makes the journey through their world unforgettable.
Fans of William McIlvanney’s gritty crime novels might find something to love in the way this story feels grounded in its environment and the struggles of its people.
Ken Bruen is an Irish writer known for his gritty crime stories set against the backdrop of Galway. His book “The Guards” introduces Jack Taylor, a former cop turned private investigator who battles alcoholism and his own demons while taking on cases no one else will touch.
In this story, a woman asks him to look into her daughter’s suicide, which she doesn’t believe was self-inflicted. As Taylor digs into the case, he uncovers a murky world of corruption and secrets.
The writing is raw and fast-paced, and Jack’s dark humor adds an edge to the story. Fans of William McIlvanney’s Laidlaw series might feel at home with Bruen’s sharp and unflinching style.
Donna Leon is known for her crime novels set in Venice, featuring the thoughtful and principled Commissario Guido Brunetti. In her book “Death at La Fenice,” Brunetti investigates the poisoning of a famous conductor during a performance at Venice’s iconic opera house.
The story unfolds through interviews and insights into the world of classical music and Venetian society. Leon paints a vivid picture of Venice, from its labyrinthine canals to the corruption that quietly weaves through its institutions.
Brunetti’s intelligence and humanity make him a memorable detective. Fans of William McIlvanney might enjoy Leon’s focus on character and social context within her mysteries.