BOOK REVIEW OF “BLOODY SCOTLAND”

Book Title: Bloody Scotland

Authors: by Lin Anderson, Gordon Brown, Christopher Brookmyre, Ann Cleeves, Doug Johnstone, Stuart MacBride, Val McDermid, Denise Mina ,Craig Robertson, Sara Sheridan, E.S. Thomson, Louise Welsh

Total Number of Pages: 288

Publisher: Bee Books

Publication Date: 1 Jan 2017

Format: Hardcover

Language: English

Genre: Fiction / Crime / Mystery / Thriller

BLURB

In Bloody Scotland twelve of Scotland’s best crime writers use the sinister side of the country’s built heritage in stories that are by turns gripping, chilling and redemptive. Stellar contributors Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre, Denise Mina, Ann Cleeves, Louise Welsh, Lin Anderson, Doug Johnstone, Gordon Brown, Craig Robertson, E S Thomson, Sara Sheridan and Stuart MacBride explore the thrilling potential of Scotland’s iconic sites and structures. From murder in an ancient broch and a macabre tale of revenge among the furious clamour of an eighteenth century mill, to a dark psychological thriller set within the tourist throng of Edinburgh Castle and a rivalry turning fatal in the concrete galleries of an abandoned modernist ruin, this collection uncovers the intimate – and deadly – connections between people and places. Prepare for a dangerous journey into the dark shadows of our nation’s buildings – where passion, fury, desire and death collide.

REVIEWED BY SOHINEE DEY

When it comes to fiction, thrillers, crime and mystery novels sits at the top of my favourite genres list. ‘Bloody Scotland’ is a compilation of short crime stories. This book is an anthology which carries stories by some eminent Scottish crime fiction authors.

The backdrop for all the stories is set in historic times of Scotland. The authors weaved some gripping crime stories which are set in actual places in Scotland. If you’re from Scotland and have ever been to the places mentioned in the book, well, let’s just say you might be uneasy on your next visit, perhaps.

Each story is supported by a picture of the actual place on which the story is based on. This adds more of a realistic element to the plotline. What better way to experience a story than visualising the actual place, right? This also helps to set an image of the place and we don’t have to imagine something which is actually not there. A combination of reality and fiction.

Since, I am not very familiar with these places, it took me a while to understand the significance of the places and to understand what the names meant. But people who are accustomed to these places would be able to connect with the stories better, I believe.

I won’t go into much detail explaining the stories. Each story is different and though all of them are based in Scotland, each writer has an unique writing style. I can’t really talk of development of characters since the stories are short, there isn’t much scope for character development. Still, I could follow up with the characters quite easily.

The writing style of each of the authors were very different from what I have come across of crime writers from other countries. The narration was also very different from what I am used to reading, in a good way, of course.

Overall, I really liked the stories. They were all high with mysteries and suspense. But, the stories weren’t exactly bone-chilling or something that would trouble me while sleeping at night. I like my crime stories to be a bit more strong and intense. But, this collection of 12 short crime stories were also very good.

MY FINAL VERDICT

I would definitely recommend this book to crime fiction lovers and short story lovers. Also, if you like to read stories that has that old historic feeling to them, you can definitely give this book a read.

POESY IN CHRYSALIS RATING : ⭐⭐⭐.7 / ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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