Gunner

Shortlisted for Fiction Book of the Year at The Saltires: Scotlands National Book Awards 2026

A brand new crime series from the award-winning author of the Harry McCoy books

A notably original protagonist . . . swept up in a high-level conspiracy reaching from Whitehalls corridors of power to Berlin and Rudolf Hesss doomed flight to Scotland . . . enthrallingFinancial Times

Great storytelling . . . I loved it Peter James, #1 bestselling author of the Roy Grace series

March 1941. Joseph Gunner is back on the streets of Glasgow after being wounded on the front lines in France.

Keeping the pain in his leg at bay with the help of morphine, Gunner, a former detective, is hoping to lie low as the Luftwaffe begins bombing Glasgow.

But when he runs into his old boss Drummond, he is persuaded to help examine a body found in the wreckage. When it turns out to be that of a German, mutilated to disguise his identity, Gunner reluctantly agrees to investigate.

As he begins to hunt for the truth Gunner runs into old flames and bitter enemies, before finding himself embroiled in a high-level conspiracy that reaches far beyond his hometown of Glasgow.

Partly inspired by the true story of Rudolf Hesss secret mission to broker appeasement with Britain during the Second World War, Gunner is an atmospheric and addictive new thriller from one of Britains best-loved writers.

Great stuff . . . a vivid sense of place and time and what a main character! Ian Rankin, #1 bestselling author of the Rebus series