Books by authors living and working in Dumfries and Galloway, or setting their stories in the area
An author inspired by Dumfries and Galloway
Visitors to our website may be interested in finding out more about the crime novels of Evelyn Hood, who was inspired by the Dumfries and Galloway landscape.
Evelyn, who died in 2023 and whose books are now managed by her son Simon, was a Sunday Times bestselling author best known for her Scottish family sagas set in her hometown of Paisley (Renfrewshire) and on the Clyde Coast, where she also lived. Throughout her distinguished career, she published more than 40 novels, numerous short stories, as well as plays, pantomimes, musicals, and poems.
Her seven-volume ‘Prior’s Ford’ series of crime novels are set in a modern-day fictitious village in Dumfries and Galloway. These books follow the lives of some of the inhabitants of the village. Although each book can be read independently of the others, Simon tells us that readers will get the most enjoyment from reading them in order of publication; ‘Secrets in Prior’s Ford’, ‘Drama Comes to Prior’s Ford’, ‘Trouble in Prior’s Ford’, ‘Scandal in Prior’s Ford’, ‘Mystery in Prior’s Ford,’ Return to Prior’s Ford’, and finally, ‘Festival in Prior’s Ford’.
Evelyn also authored “Forward by Degrees,” a commissioned history of the University of Paisley, and “Mill Memories; Interviews with Former Employees of Paisley’s Thread Mills,” which preserves the legacy of the town’s textile industry. A former journalist, Evelyn wrote under several pen names, including Eve Houston, Elizabeth A. Webster, Louise James, and Evelyn Steel.
Passionate about literature and the arts, she frequently adjudicated competitions, gave public readings, and mentored emerging writers. She was also deeply involved in amateur dramatics in Paisley, directing musicals and plays.
Evelyn passed away in Ayrshire in 2023 but the legacy of her writing continues, inspiring a generation of saga writers and touching readers hearts worldwide.
A full list of Evelyn Hood publications is available on the website, evelynhood.com.
An author inspired by Scotland’s landscape
Jackie Baldwin is an author who has long been inspired by the Scottish landscape, including Dumfries and Galloway – she set stories in locations including Dumfries legal sector and used to live in the area.
Her latest crime novels make up the Highland Bookshop Murder series published by Storm Publishing.. Book number 2 in the series is Poison at The Wild Haggis Bookshop. A deliciously twisty Highland mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Perfect for fans of cozy crime with a bite!
Beth Cunningham’s clever book subscription service is the talk of Oban, complete with local treats and hand-picked reads. But when elderly customer Nora Kelly is found dead in her armchair, Beth’s book boxes are identified as the murder weapon. It seems a vengeful killer has the Wild Haggis Bookshop in their sights…
Detective Sergeant Logan Hunter insists on round-the-clock protection for Beth, which means close quarters with the infuriating – and increasingly attractive – officer. As spring approaches and the bookshop fills with bountiful blooms and excited children, Beth’s investigation uncovers secrets that someone has spent decades trying to bury. With time running out, Beth must untangle a twisted web of lies that stretches far beyond this quaint Highland town. But when the killer strikes again, even Logan’s protection may not be enough to save her…
The first book in the series was Murder in the Wild Haggis Bookshop.
Jackie’s books, including the ones before the Highland Bookshop series was published, are available in ebook, hardcopy and audiobook.
New look for series
Crime writer Ian Robinson, who lives in Dumfries and Galloway, has sent us this note about a new look for his books.
I’m really pleased that The Book Folks, a Joffe books company, have decided to re-issue the first four books in my Nash and Moretti series, prior to the fifth being released on 15th June. If you haven’t read any of my books, then now is a great time to start. Below is the blurb from Amazon where you can meet the detectives. The series will be released every two weeks until the 15th June. If you are on Instagram, feel free to follow me there @iprauthor or sign up to my website https://www.iprobinson.com – I’m always interested to hear of a reader’s experience with my books.
The blistering first case for London detectives Nash and Moretti. Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, MJ Arlidge and Cara Hunter.
Meet the detectives
Ten years ago, Nash and Moretti were DCs together on the Borough crime squad. When she made DI and moved to Homicide, she handpicked him for her team. He nearly said no — he was worried that becoming his boss would cost her the friendship. She told him she needed his judgement more than a beer with a mate. Neither of them has had cause to regret the trade.
DI Pippa Nash is the kind of senior investigating officer her bosses would quietly prefer to manage out — if she weren’t so good at her job. Career-driven, with covert work behind her, she runs her team by three rules: assume nothing, believe no one, challenge everything. Off-duty she rides motorbikes through Scotland, listens to Motörhead, and lives alone in a top-floor flat with no television. Uncompromising on the job, fiercely loyal to her team — and ten years into a partnership with Moretti.
DS Nick Moretti keeps his world stripped back. He lives alone on a barge in a London marina, smokes a pipe when he wants to think, and forgets to charge his phone more often than is helpful. He’s currently sharing his boat with an artist neighbour whose heating has packed in — exactly the kind of complication his life seems to attract. On the job he’s instinctive, well-liked, and not above bending procedure when it suits him. Off it, he’d rather be on a beach in Corfu.
Please note, this was previously published as Latent Damage.
Theatrical sleuthing
The first book in the Holly and Ivy series by Dumfries and Galloway crime writer Sue McCormick was Red as any Blood and the second, Sharp As Any Thorn, is out in September 2026. They feature theatrical sleuths actress Dame Elspeth Hollanby (Holly) and her dresser Ivy.
A treat for Aline Templeton fans
There’s a real treat on offer for fans of bestselling Scottish crime novelist Aline Templeton, many of whose novels are based in Dumfries and Galloway.
Her new novel, Truth to Tell, is published by Allison & Busby on May 22, 2026: ‘It is a bitterly cold night, with rain falling and an edge of snow. Under the sickly yellow lighting in the lorry park, three men are looting precious cargo from the tarpaulined trailers – but the crack of a gunshot pierces the night, and everything changes.’
It is the seventh book in the DCI Kelso Strang series is set in Torridon, in north-west Scotland, where the dramatic peaks are an uncompromising backdrop as Strang contends with seismic events that will change many lives to get at the truth.
Also, Joffe Books is re-issuing titles from Aline’s hugely popular Galloway Series, starting with Murder in Galloway. ‘Death is in the air. Death is on the ground. Death is everywhere for the people of Galloway. As the catastrophic Foot and Mouth virus devastates the Scottish countryside, killing cattle and destroying lives, DI Marjory Fleming finds herself at the stormy heart of a troubled, trapped community.
A dead body, a missing girl and a mysterious family’s dangerous obsession with bull-running provides a sinister background to Fleming’s first murder investigation.
The first in the series is republished by Joffe Books and available on Kindle and in paperback. The second, Murder in Knockhaven Harbour, is also available on Kindle with paperback to follow.
A truly thought-provoking read
The debut novel by crime writer May Rinaldi, from South West Scotland, has been published – and it’s already an award-winner.
Liar Thief, which won the Black Spring Press Crime Novel 2024, is a psychological thriller with a protagonist, whose voice buries itself into your subconscious and refuses to leave. An emotional, darkly propulsive plot, and a unique storytelling format means this is a book that will be talked about for a long time.
In the novel, which can be purchased in ebook and paperback format on Amazon, Ginnie says that she is a serial killer who kills people who have wronged her but no one believes her.
Author Fiona Taylor is writing Ginnie’s memoir, The Killer Inside, trying to understand why Ginnie should still insist that she’s a killer. She recruits ex-DI, Tom O’Brien, to examine the evidence. As Ginnie’s oldest friend, Tom has his own insights into her story.
As her memoir unfolds will the decisions taken by Fiona and Tom put them and their families at risk? Is it safe to release a self-confessed serial killer back out into society, even if there is no evidence against her?
May recently retired from her consultancy job in Health and Safety and, in the past, has worked as a taxidermist, mycologist and lab technician. She is the co-founder of Moffat Crime Fest, bringing top crime authors to the Dumfries and Galloway town of Moffat. She also runs writing retreats in her secluded home where visiting authors are only disturbed by sheep, cows and the dinner gong.
Author’s first three novels tackle rural crime
It’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for the first three crime novels written by David L Haigh, who lives and works in Dumfries and Galloway.
Set near Hadrian’s Wall, David’s novels aim to raise awareness of the devastating effects, both financial and mental, for the victims of rural crime. The main protagonist is DCI Jeff Spencer, who, like the author, loves growing crops on his allotment. Time spent on his plot relieves stress. His understanding of soils and plants often yields clues in the quest for justice.
In Land Kill (the first book) the victim leaves his lucrative life as a stockbroker to raise game birds in Northumberland. The book highlights the destruction of productive farmland by criminal developers with a long-standing grudge against the former City financial magnate.
Hooked by the Past, the second book, features a prize-winning vegetable growing antagonist, who is also a landlord. Several of his tenants have gone missing. He owns a factory which produces organic fertilizers.
The third novel, A Fruitless Revenge, features immigrant fruit farm workers and an evil Lord who are all targeted by the descendant of a 15th Century Border Reiver. Forensic Botany plays a crucial role in identifying one of the antagonists. In the book, the crimes extend into Cumbria and Spencer joins forces with the rugby league devotee DCI Tom Bainbridge.
The books are available on Amazon.
John Dean’s DCI Jack Harris series of crime novels have as their primary location the English North Pennines but more recent books have included locations in southern Scotland, a nod of acknowledgment to fact that he has lived near Kirkcudbright for more than eight years.
They include a gangster’s fictional house on the hills overlooking the very real westbound A75 between Dumfries and Castle Douglas (The Girl in the Meadow) and a fictional wildfowl rescue centre in the Ayrshire Hills (To Catch a Lie, both published by The Books Folks, a Joffe Books imprint).
Kirkcudbright Crime Writing 