The Dark Remains

The prequel to William McIlvanney’s Laidlaw trilogy, written by William McIlvanney and Ian Rankin, was praised as “bold” and “gritty” by the judges. The Dark Remains saw the 100 pages of notes McIlvanney left before his death in 2015 brought to life by Rankin in a novel which seamlessly blends the duo’s voices—“you can’t see the joins”, noted one judge. Rankin evoked the “beautiful sense and poetry of Glasgow”, alongside a “clever, stark notion of masculinity and brotherhood” that enhanced McIlvanney’s vision.

From acquisition to publication Canongate, and editor Francis Bickmore, created an “extraordinary publishing story” which boldly united the publisher, both writers and the estate. The judges were impressed with Canongate’s efforts: more than 35,000 hardbacks were sold through Nielsen TCM and the Laidlaw trilogy backlist rose 846%.