Foster wins Bloody Scotland Debut of the Year as McSorley awarded McIlvanney Prize

Kate Foster has won the £500 Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year for The Maiden (Mantle). Meanwhile, Callum McSorley, who is also a debut author, was awarded the £1,000 McIlvanney Prize Scottish Crime Book of the Year for Squeaky Clean (Pushkin Press).

The finalists for both prizes led the torchlit procession from Stirling Castle through the historic old town on Friday 15th September, accompanied by the pipes and drums of the Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band. 

The winners were presented their awards from sponsors The Glencairn Glass. In winning the award, McSorley beat off competition from established authors such as Val McDermid, Ian Rankin and Denise Mina.

Squeaky Clean features DI Ally McCoist, described as "the least popular detective in the Glasgow police". The synopsis calls it "a contemporary thriller packed with black humour and hints of ’Breaking Bad’".

The judges for The McIlvanney Prize were unanimous in their praise for Squeaky Clean, which also faced competition from previous McIlvanney Prize-winners Craig Russell and Mina, as well as previous Bloody Scotland Debut winner Robbie Morrison.

Bryan Burnett from BBC Radio Scotland said: "A wonderfully rich and funny new voice in Scottish crime. McSorley has created characters you invest in and a plot that keeps you hooked right from the start. Although it’s dark and gruesome it’s full of laugh out loud lines that still bring you pleasure long after you’ve finished the book."

Jason Allardyce, former editor of Sunday Times Scotland, added: "A fresh new voice brings a Brookmyre-esque beauty that sparkles like a motor straight out the car wash. Full of unforgettable, three-dimensional characters and laugh out loud moments in every chapter to offset the violence among the valets."

Moreover, the judges for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize selected The Maiden by Foster as the best Debut of the Year. The author first appeared on the virtual stage at Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect event during lockdown in 2020. She won the pitching panel with an outline of The Maiden and went on to get an agent and publisher.

Her book is set in the 17th century and is a reimagining of true historical events, following Lady Christian Nimmo who is charged with the murder of her lover and uncle James Forrester. 

Pauline McLean from BBC Scotland said: "I didn’t want it to end, and certainly not in the way I knew it did, being based on a true-life case. A rare and poignant female perspective in a decidedly male world, told with passion and humour."

Journalist and editor Arusa Qureshi added: "The Maiden is a fascinating and immersive debut, that places you in an imagined yet historically familiar time and space. Stories about women in history are so often lost or forgotten so it’s refreshing to read something based on a true case that is skilfully constructed and utterly gripping, with a woman’s voice front and centre."

Kirsty Nicholson, design and marketing manager at Glencairn Crystal, said: "We’re very proud of our Scottish heritage and it has been a huge honour to sponsor the awards over the past few years that showcase the diverse array of talent that currently exists in the world of Scottish crime fiction."