Fulton Ross
Fulton Ross is a writer and journalist from the Scottish Highlands. A graduate in Scottish literature and history from Glasgow University, he has worked on national newspapers for more than a decade. Inspired by Gaelic folk tales, The Unforgiven Dead is his debut novel. Set amidst the brooding landscape of the West Highlands, the novel is envisaged as the first in a series featuring Constable Angus ‘Dubh’ McNeil. Fulton now lives in Northern Ireland with his wife and three children. He is a lover of tartan noir, history, beagles, and shinty.
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Mini review of The Unforgiven Dead (full review still to come)
The Unforgiven Dead is a police procedural with a difference. Angus 'Dubh' MacNeill has the dà-shealladh, second sight. A vision of a young woman facing death sends him racing to the beach where he discovers the body of the daughter of a local landowner and she has suffered what appears to be a ritualistic death. He was too late. But this is just the beginning...
What an enjoyable read! But a dark and creepy one too. Full of pretty sinister legends and stories, it's clearly well researched and really fascinating. The sense of place is terrific, making it hugely atmospheric, with vivid descriptions of the landscape, surroundings and weather. Beautiful writing too. I loved quirky, geeky Gills and his relationship with Angus. The Unforgiven Dead is a tale of folklore, witchcraft, murder and tragedy. But it's also about one man's struggle to accept who he is and everything that goes with it. Angus has plenty more to offer (I hope), as does Fulton Ross.
Fulton is appearing in the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize Shortlist event together with Kate Foster, Calum McSorley and Heather Critchlow (fifth shortlister Heather Derwent is unable to be there) at Stirling Central Library on Friday 15th September, 5-6pm. The Debut Panel has unfortunately sold out but there will be an opportunity to meet the shortlisted authors at the Opening Reception from which they will lead the Torchlit Procession to the Albert Halls where the winner of the Debut Prize will be interviewed on stage. you can buy your tickets here. The books will be available in the festival bookshop for the whole weekend.
Finnish Antti Tuomainen was an award-winning copywriter when he made his literary debut in 2007 as a suspense author. The critically acclaimed My Brother’s Keeper was published two years later. In 2011, Tuomainen’s third novel, The Healer, was awarded the Clue Award for ‘Best Finnish Crime Novel of 2011’ and was shortlisted for the Glass Key Award. The Finnish press labelled The Healer – the story of a writer desperately searching for his missing wife in a post-apocalyptic Helsinki – ‘unputdownable’. Two years later, in 2013, they crowned Tuomainen ‘The King of Helsinki Noir’ when Dark as My Heart was published. With a piercing and evocative style, Tuomainen was one of the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime genre formula, and his poignant, dark and hilarious The Man Who Died became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards. Palm Beach Finland (2018) was an immense success, with The Times calling Tuomainen ‘the funniest writer in Europe’, and Little Siberia (2019) was shortlisted for the Capital Crime/Amazon Publishing Readers Awards, the Last Laugh Award and the CWA International Dagger, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel. The Rabbit Factor is the first book in Antti’s first-ever series and is in production as a Hollywood movie. The Moose Paradox is the follow up and The Beaver Theory, out next month, is the third in the trilogy. I have a review copy of this to read in the coming weeks but will also be buying my own hardback copy to complete the set.
I'm not going to tell you much about the story because, honestly, you need to read it for yourself, but it features spreadsheets, sinister cinnamon rolls, loan sharks, a three metre high plastic rabbit, freezers and love. It's quite a ride! And the ending is just perfect.
The Rabbit Factor is an absolute gem of a book. Antti Tuomainen has brought together the slightly absurd and the everyday and created a fantastic story with a brilliant central character. Who else would write a crime story where the hero is an actuary?! This is a beautifully told tale, full of humour and warmth, and jeopardy, with keen observations on society and relationships. There was absolutely nothing I didn't like. It was just perfect and I loved it. Roll on the next book!
I love, love, love Henri. He'd never admit it but he is just as quirky as his park employees. I love his ability to apply maths and logic to everything he faces, even the ridiculous. And how that calm, organised approach can get him out of the stickiest of situations. And, without realising it, he's very funny! So brilliant from Tuomainen.
The Moose Paradox is madcappery and mayhem, with some genuine peril thrown in. Add to that an awkward love story and one of my favourite protagonists ever and it is everything I could ask for. Loved it!
There are tons of other fabulous events happening over the weekend. You can view the brochure here and book your tickets for all events here. It's always a fabulous weekend so do come along if you're able. And if you can't join us, a good number of the events are available to view online so do check that out. Roll on 15th September!
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