Doug Johnstone is the author of eleven novels, most recently The Big Chill, the second in the Skelfs series, which has just been optioned for TV. In 2020, A Dark Matter, the first in the series, was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year and the Capital Crime Amazon Publishing Independent Voice Book of the Year award. In 2019, his thriller Breakers was also shortlisted for the prize. Several of his books have been bestsellers and award winners, and his work has been praised by the likes of Val McDermid, Irvine Welsh and Ian Rankin. He's taught creative writing and been writer in residence at various institutions, and has been an arts journalist for twenty years. Doug is a songwriter and musician with five albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin' Crime Writers, a band of crime writers. He's also player-manager of the Scotland Writers Football Club. He lives in Edinburgh.
"""Domestic noir at its finest, with shrewd observation, warmth and darkly comic undertones."" --Herald Scotland ""Johnstone is fast becoming the toast of the gritty and funny Tartan noir scene. And with good cause. . . . It keeps you hungry from page to page. A crime reader can't ask for anything more."" --The Sun ""This is a must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonists.""Publishers Weekly starred review on The Big Chill ""This is their third outing and the stories get better each time. . . . Told with a wry humour and affection, the novel underlines just how accomplished Johnstone has become."" --Daily Mail 'Emotionally complex, richly layered and darkly funny. An addictive blend of Case Histories and Six Feet Under.' Chris Brookmyre, author, Places in the Darkness on A Dark Matter ""I was addicted from the first page; gripping, gritty and darkly funny as hell."" Erin Kelly, author, He Said/She Said on A Dark Matter ""I'd say that A Dark Matter showcases a writer at the peak of his powers, except that with every book, Doug Johnstone just gets better.' Val McDermid on A Dark Matter"