Tartan Noir Reading Group

Welcome to the 'The Mysterious Affair At Topping & Co.'!

'The Mysterious Affair At Topping & Co.' will be discussing Scottish crime fiction across the decades.

Join us for an evening of murder, mystery, and a glass of wine. For the next six months we will be tracking A Century of Scottish Crime Fiction, reading and discussing a range of crime novels set in Scotland and written by (mostly) Scottish authors.

We will examine how Scotland’s crime fiction has evolved over the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly the varying depictions of Scotland as a literary setting. How is the landscape of Scotland used to create the perfect atmosphere for a crime novel? Why do so many crime writers keep returning to this country in their crime fiction? Whether you enjoy thrillers, classic whodunits, or the ever popular tartan noir, come along to discover new authors, and to share your own expertise with other fans of the genre.

This group is hosted by Benjamin, who is writing his PhD on 20th century crime fiction.

October's book is: The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid

In this special 20th anniversary edition, Lee Child introduces the Gold Dagger award-winning serial killer thriller that began the Number One bestselling crime series featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill, hero of TV’s much-loved Wire in the Blood.

You always remember the first time. Isn’t that what they say about sex? How much more true it is of murder…

Up till now, the only serial killers Tony Hill had encountered were safely behind bars. This one’s different – this one’s on the loose.

Four men have been found mutilated and tortured. As fear grips the city, the police turn to clinical psychologist Tony Hill for a profile of the killer. But soon Tony becomes the unsuspecting target in a battle of wits and wills where he has to use every ounce of his professional nerve to survive.

A tense, beautifully written psychological thriller, The Mermaids Singing explores the tormented mind of a serial killer unlike any the world of fiction has ever seen.

Reading Group Structure

Ticketing: Each place is £5, which can be redeemed against a copy of a reading group book.

Frequency: Each reading group will meet once a month, on a set day of the week. You do not need to commit to one group, or every meeting! Just book for those you're interested in each month, and we hope to entice you back for another one.