Mes Amis
Some days I worry I may be a bit like Howard Moon when it comes to hearing critiques of my work...
If only there were a publisher who bought books based on one perfect sentence...
Au revoir
Russel
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UK edition due September 2012 from Fives Leaves Publications
Brand new short story collection (digital only)
The Lost Sister (Five Leaves Publications, 2009)
The Lost Sister (US cover)
The Good Son UK edition (Five Leaves Publications, 2008)
THE GOOD SON (Thomas Dunne/St Martin's Press 2009)
Where on Earth is Russel?
August 27, 2012 - Aberdeen, Waterstones, Union Bridge, 7pm with John Connolly. Tickets free available from Aberdeen Union Bridge.
August 28 2012 - Steps Theatre, Dundee, 7pm with John Connolly. Tickets free available from Waterstones, Dundee.
September 3 2012 - Official Launch of Father Confessor in assoc with Waterstones, Dundee. Waterstones, Dundee. 6.30pm. RSVP to crimescenescotland@yahoo.co.uk
September 6 2012 - Edinburgh Princes Street West End Waterstones, with Michael Malone, Allan Guthrie and Tony Black. 6pm. Tickets free, available from Waterstones, West End.
September 7 - Waterstones, Livingstone, details tbc
September 13 - Waterstones, Dunfermline, 6pm instore. Tickets free available from Waterstones, Dunfermline.
September 15 2012 - Bloody Scotland Festival, Stirling, "The Private Detectives" with Craig Russell and Gordon Ferris, chaired by Len Wanner. £7/£6 - more details available from Bloody Scotland Website
Russel is also involved with The Ideas Space
August 28 2012 - Steps Theatre, Dundee, 7pm with John Connolly. Tickets free available from Waterstones, Dundee.
September 3 2012 - Official Launch of Father Confessor in assoc with Waterstones, Dundee. Waterstones, Dundee. 6.30pm. RSVP to crimescenescotland@yahoo.co.uk
September 6 2012 - Edinburgh Princes Street West End Waterstones, with Michael Malone, Allan Guthrie and Tony Black. 6pm. Tickets free, available from Waterstones, West End.
September 7 - Waterstones, Livingstone, details tbc
September 13 - Waterstones, Dunfermline, 6pm instore. Tickets free available from Waterstones, Dunfermline.
September 15 2012 - Bloody Scotland Festival, Stirling, "The Private Detectives" with Craig Russell and Gordon Ferris, chaired by Len Wanner. £7/£6 - more details available from Bloody Scotland Website
Russel is also involved with The Ideas Space
You can also find me...
Literary Representation
Want more succinct blather? Follow me on Twitter.
Father Confessor (UK edition)
UK edition due September 2012 from Fives Leaves Publications
The Death of Ronnie Sweets (and Other Stories)
Brand new short story collection (digital only)
"I was expecting a lot of blood and ruptures in this book, and I wasn’t disappointed, but there’s an emotional element here which is missing from a lot of gritty crime fiction. Mclean has a keen eye for human frailty and every story has a deep undertow."
Eva Dolan - Loitering with Intent
"Individually the nine stories are great reads. Collectively they bring to life a deeply satisfying character I wouldn’t mind seeing get a chance to shine in a full length work…"
Elizabeth A White - Musings of an All Purpose Monkey
Eva Dolan - Loitering with Intent
"Individually the nine stories are great reads. Collectively they bring to life a deeply satisfying character I wouldn’t mind seeing get a chance to shine in a full length work…"
Elizabeth A White - Musings of an All Purpose Monkey
Novels
The Lost Sister (UK Edition)
The Lost Sister (Five Leaves Publications, 2009)
The Lost Sister (US edition)
The Lost Sister (US cover)
THE LOST SISTER nominated for best new voice category in the 2010 Spinetingler Awards
"McLean’s sophomore effort... makes for good reading with its unflinching portrayal of people under extreme stress."
Hank Wagner for Mystery Scene Magazine
"[THE LOST SISTER] excels in establishing J. McNee as a character worth following, someone motivated by a desire to make up for previous failures, a P.I. capable of establishing distinction from so many of his wisecracking, philosophizing brethren."
J Kingston Pierce for Kirkus Reviews
"There’s a violent undercurrent always ready to surface in McLean’s gritty take-no-prisoners prose and storytelling. Once he begins, you are roped in to the end, regardless of how many excuses you make to yourself to put the book down. The noir trinities are keenly and astutely observed: Dirty. Bloody. Menacing. They are all here, delivered expertly by a telling hand. "
Sam Millar for New York Journal of Books
"As with his first book, there are no words or trees wasted in the telling of this bleak story. The author never displays an overfondness for the appearance of his own words on paper, never gets himself between McNee and the reader. The entire story has the bitter ambiance of a "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." all over it. Is it noir? Well, if everyone is wrong going in, and they're wrong or dead coming out, I think that qualifies.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."
The Drowning Machine
"...an intense, taut crime story with a caustic PI. Not to be missed by fans of straight-up hardboiled noir.” (4 stars)
RT Book Reviews
"...firmly rooted in the first person PI tradition with enough banter to keep the hard-boiled narrative cracking."
Milwakuee Journal Sentinel
"There’s something in the water across the pond that’s creating my favorite American-style PI writers out of y’know, Europeans. With The Lost Sister, you can go ahead and place McLean and McNee solidly in the company of Ken Bruen’s Jack Taylor, Tony Black’s Gus Drury and Ray Banks’ Cal Innes as honorary Yanks... If you’re looking for some ponderous violence and some earnest redemption seeking, this one’s right up your alley."
Jedidiah Ayers for B&N's Ransom Notes
"A new (to me) setting, strong dialogue and a compelling story all make this a must-read, but it's really the main character that is this book's main draw."
I Love a Good Mystery top reads 2010
"...begins to open up McNee’s psychological baggage, making him more human and understandable...for readers who like Brian McGilloway and Michael Koryta, two authors who introduced fresh voices and individual takes on crime."
Library Journal (starred review)
"Scotland lends itself well to the noir tradition but Dundee basks and wallows in the bare knuckles and concrete landings of McLean's superb novel."
I meant to Read That
"...delivers on every level with its great mix of emotion, mystery and thrills."
Keith B Walters at Books and Writers
'Russel D McLean's second novel about tortured Scottish PI J McNee is a dark, downbeat, and wholly driven piece of intense writing that keeps you gripped from the very first page and stays with you long after the last is done. Slick and cynical, it confirms an outstanding new talent in crime noir.'
Zoe Sharp, author of Fourth Day
"No sophomore slump for McLean: with The Lost Sister McLean serves notice that he’s a new force rapidly rising in the ranks to stand alongside the best Scottish crime fiction writers of today. "
Spinetingler Magazine
"...a very highly recommended read, especially for those respectful of good crisp writing, character development and an ability to tell a tale with spot on dialogue and writing skill."
Charlie Stella, author of Johnny Porno
"this excellent second novel proves that [McLean] is no flash in the pan."
Crimesquad.com
"Snappily written heart-thumper... older crime writers should be looking over their shoulders at [McLean] and taking note."
The Skinny
"...a worthy succesor of Lew Archer"
Sons of Spade
"..gripping and intense... [McNee is a] refreshing change from the usual mainstream crime fiction hero."
Euro Crime
"Assured and uncompromising"
The Big Issue in Scotland
"McLean’s sophomore effort... makes for good reading with its unflinching portrayal of people under extreme stress."
Hank Wagner for Mystery Scene Magazine
"[THE LOST SISTER] excels in establishing J. McNee as a character worth following, someone motivated by a desire to make up for previous failures, a P.I. capable of establishing distinction from so many of his wisecracking, philosophizing brethren."
J Kingston Pierce for Kirkus Reviews
"There’s a violent undercurrent always ready to surface in McLean’s gritty take-no-prisoners prose and storytelling. Once he begins, you are roped in to the end, regardless of how many excuses you make to yourself to put the book down. The noir trinities are keenly and astutely observed: Dirty. Bloody. Menacing. They are all here, delivered expertly by a telling hand. "
Sam Millar for New York Journal of Books
"As with his first book, there are no words or trees wasted in the telling of this bleak story. The author never displays an overfondness for the appearance of his own words on paper, never gets himself between McNee and the reader. The entire story has the bitter ambiance of a "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." all over it. Is it noir? Well, if everyone is wrong going in, and they're wrong or dead coming out, I think that qualifies.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."
The Drowning Machine
"...an intense, taut crime story with a caustic PI. Not to be missed by fans of straight-up hardboiled noir.” (4 stars)
RT Book Reviews
"...firmly rooted in the first person PI tradition with enough banter to keep the hard-boiled narrative cracking."
Milwakuee Journal Sentinel
"There’s something in the water across the pond that’s creating my favorite American-style PI writers out of y’know, Europeans. With The Lost Sister, you can go ahead and place McLean and McNee solidly in the company of Ken Bruen’s Jack Taylor, Tony Black’s Gus Drury and Ray Banks’ Cal Innes as honorary Yanks... If you’re looking for some ponderous violence and some earnest redemption seeking, this one’s right up your alley."
Jedidiah Ayers for B&N's Ransom Notes
"A new (to me) setting, strong dialogue and a compelling story all make this a must-read, but it's really the main character that is this book's main draw."
I Love a Good Mystery top reads 2010
"...begins to open up McNee’s psychological baggage, making him more human and understandable...for readers who like Brian McGilloway and Michael Koryta, two authors who introduced fresh voices and individual takes on crime."
Library Journal (starred review)
"Scotland lends itself well to the noir tradition but Dundee basks and wallows in the bare knuckles and concrete landings of McLean's superb novel."
I meant to Read That
"...delivers on every level with its great mix of emotion, mystery and thrills."
Keith B Walters at Books and Writers
'Russel D McLean's second novel about tortured Scottish PI J McNee is a dark, downbeat, and wholly driven piece of intense writing that keeps you gripped from the very first page and stays with you long after the last is done. Slick and cynical, it confirms an outstanding new talent in crime noir.'
Zoe Sharp, author of Fourth Day
"No sophomore slump for McLean: with The Lost Sister McLean serves notice that he’s a new force rapidly rising in the ranks to stand alongside the best Scottish crime fiction writers of today. "
Spinetingler Magazine
"...a very highly recommended read, especially for those respectful of good crisp writing, character development and an ability to tell a tale with spot on dialogue and writing skill."
Charlie Stella, author of Johnny Porno
"this excellent second novel proves that [McLean] is no flash in the pan."
Crimesquad.com
"Snappily written heart-thumper... older crime writers should be looking over their shoulders at [McLean] and taking note."
The Skinny
"...a worthy succesor of Lew Archer"
Sons of Spade
"..gripping and intense... [McNee is a] refreshing change from the usual mainstream crime fiction hero."
Euro Crime
"Assured and uncompromising"
The Big Issue in Scotland
The Good Son (UK edition)
The Good Son UK edition (Five Leaves Publications, 2008)
The Good Son (UK only Kindle edition)
The Good Son (US cover)
THE GOOD SON (Thomas Dunne/St Martin's Press 2009)
The Good Son nominated for the Shamus Award 2010 for Best First Novel by the Private Eye Writers of America.
"Scottish short story master, Russel McLean released a strong debut novel earlier this year that took the melancholy inherent in the genre to the limit with The Good Son and his second, The Lost Sister is already sitting atop my list of most anticipated titles for next year."
Jedidiah Ayres for Ransom Notes, the B&N Mystery Blog
"McNee... is so complex that he could actually be real."
The Mystery Maven
"McLean's debut novel, set in Dundee, Scotland, is everything a fan of PI novels most enjoys."
The Drowning Machine
"Great character, strong plot that carried all the way through, and perfect balance of funny bits and emotional tugs at the heart. PI story with heart, but by no means soft."
I Love a Good Mystery
"...the rare PI novel that is dark, character-driven and organically told while also as exciting, fast-paced and violent as any thriller."
The Nerd of Noir for Crime Factory issue #1
"A highly reccomended crime thriller... [I] hope that we haven't seen the last of the haunted PI McNee."
Gumshoe
"McLean has created an intensely complex, credible central character and surrounds him with a skillfully drawn supporting cast. Readers will look forward to a reprise of J. McNee."
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
"Clever, tough, witty... a great character study with a wonderful plot and plenty of atmosphere"
The Globe and Mail
"The Good Son delivers a two-fold punch with its intense plot and poignant depth."
Nights and Weekends
"The future of crime fiction is in good hands"
Crimespree magazine on the US release of THE GOOD SON.
"...an atmosphere of delicious gloom."
Mystery Scene
"McLean has scored in his first novel."
January Magazine
"McLean's debut hurtles towards a terrifying cataclysm"
Kirkus reviews
"The Dundee locale, some mordant Scots wit, and the plausibly clumsy showdown with the sociopaths in an ancient graveyard make this a promising debut."
Booklist
"...impressive first novel... this newest addition to the Scottish noir tradition will appeal to fans of Ian Rankin and Stuart MacBride"
Library Journal (starred review)
"Russel D. McLean flat-out rocks the house with this outstanding debut. Taut, tough, and profoundly touching, THE GOOD SON signals the start of a big career. I loved this book, can't wait for the next one."
Sean Chercover, author of Trigger City
"With its appreciation of life’s small pleasures, combined with a willingness to confront societal violence, The Good Son reminded me of early Martyn Waites novels. Evocatively describing the Dundee landscape, it’s a highly readable piece of noir."
Carol Anne Davis, author of Youthful Prey for Tangled Web
"With The Good Son first time novelist Russel McLean is off to a flying start. Buy it, read it, watch out for him. If he keeps this up, he's going to be huge."
Martyn Waites, author of White Riot
"THE GOOD SON is the most exciting, and gripping, Scottish crime fiction debut of recent years. Stylish and atmospheric, it marks the arrival of a exceptional talent."
John Connolly, author of The Reapers.
"Scottish crime fiction is entering a new era and Russel McLean is at the vanguard. A thrilling new writer, a brilliant debut...The Good Son is very good indeed."
--Tony Black, author of Paying for It
"...there is a writer so under-rated that most people never heard of him, and he might be amongst the very best there is. Manchette.... Now there is a Scottish answer to this wondrous author. Russel D McLean........ He has all the merits of this brilliant writer with the added bonus of a Scottish sense of wit that is like no other. You read Russel D McLean and not only will you want to search out Manchette, you'll be checking for [McLean’s] next. He is that good."
Ken Bruen, author of Sanctuary
"The Good Son is an astonishing debut; Russel D McLean hasn't only made the British PI credible, he's updated and honed the sub-genre to a razor-sharp edge… tight, sleek and controlled, with an emotional resonance that is utterly refreshing."
Ray Banks, author of No More Heroes
"a promising writer."
The Big Issue in Scotland
"Scottish short story master, Russel McLean released a strong debut novel earlier this year that took the melancholy inherent in the genre to the limit with The Good Son and his second, The Lost Sister is already sitting atop my list of most anticipated titles for next year."
Jedidiah Ayres for Ransom Notes, the B&N Mystery Blog
"McNee... is so complex that he could actually be real."
The Mystery Maven
"McLean's debut novel, set in Dundee, Scotland, is everything a fan of PI novels most enjoys."
The Drowning Machine
"Great character, strong plot that carried all the way through, and perfect balance of funny bits and emotional tugs at the heart. PI story with heart, but by no means soft."
I Love a Good Mystery
"...the rare PI novel that is dark, character-driven and organically told while also as exciting, fast-paced and violent as any thriller."
The Nerd of Noir for Crime Factory issue #1
"A highly reccomended crime thriller... [I] hope that we haven't seen the last of the haunted PI McNee."
Gumshoe
"McLean has created an intensely complex, credible central character and surrounds him with a skillfully drawn supporting cast. Readers will look forward to a reprise of J. McNee."
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
"Clever, tough, witty... a great character study with a wonderful plot and plenty of atmosphere"
The Globe and Mail
"The Good Son delivers a two-fold punch with its intense plot and poignant depth."
Nights and Weekends
"The future of crime fiction is in good hands"
Crimespree magazine on the US release of THE GOOD SON.
"...an atmosphere of delicious gloom."
Mystery Scene
"McLean has scored in his first novel."
January Magazine
"McLean's debut hurtles towards a terrifying cataclysm"
Kirkus reviews
"The Dundee locale, some mordant Scots wit, and the plausibly clumsy showdown with the sociopaths in an ancient graveyard make this a promising debut."
Booklist
"...impressive first novel... this newest addition to the Scottish noir tradition will appeal to fans of Ian Rankin and Stuart MacBride"
Library Journal (starred review)
"Russel D. McLean flat-out rocks the house with this outstanding debut. Taut, tough, and profoundly touching, THE GOOD SON signals the start of a big career. I loved this book, can't wait for the next one."
Sean Chercover, author of Trigger City
"Dark, well-honed and taut. I crave more McNee."
Jen Jordan for CrimeSpree Magazine.
"McLean's fast, stripped-down writing style economises on waffle but not on characterisation and he supplies a neat twist at the end.
If you like tough private eye stories at all, you'll definitely want to pack this one for your next train journey. McNee is the most convincing British PI for a while."
Mat Coward for The Morning Star
"With its appreciation of life’s small pleasures, combined with a willingness to confront societal violence, The Good Son reminded me of early Martyn Waites novels. Evocatively describing the Dundee landscape, it’s a highly readable piece of noir."
Carol Anne Davis, author of Youthful Prey for Tangled Web
"With The Good Son first time novelist Russel McLean is off to a flying start. Buy it, read it, watch out for him. If he keeps this up, he's going to be huge."
Martyn Waites, author of White Riot
"THE GOOD SON is the most exciting, and gripping, Scottish crime fiction debut of recent years. Stylish and atmospheric, it marks the arrival of a exceptional talent."
John Connolly, author of The Reapers.
"Scottish crime fiction is entering a new era and Russel McLean is at the vanguard. A thrilling new writer, a brilliant debut...The Good Son is very good indeed."
--Tony Black, author of Paying for It
"...there is a writer so under-rated that most people never heard of him, and he might be amongst the very best there is. Manchette.... Now there is a Scottish answer to this wondrous author. Russel D McLean........ He has all the merits of this brilliant writer with the added bonus of a Scottish sense of wit that is like no other. You read Russel D McLean and not only will you want to search out Manchette, you'll be checking for [McLean’s] next. He is that good."
Ken Bruen, author of Sanctuary
"The Good Son is an astonishing debut; Russel D McLean hasn't only made the British PI credible, he's updated and honed the sub-genre to a razor-sharp edge… tight, sleek and controlled, with an emotional resonance that is utterly refreshing."
Ray Banks, author of No More Heroes
"a promising writer."
The Big Issue in Scotland
Crime Fiction
- Angel of Mercy (Damn Near Dead 2 Anthology, November 2010)
- Last Man Standing (Terminal Damage anthology, 2010)
- Old Friends (New Writing Dundee, March '09)
- Madame Sin's Girl (Pulp Pusher, October '08)
- Pedro Paul (Expletive Deleted Anthology, November 2007)
- Man in the Mirror (Spinetingler Magazine, Spring 2007)
- Nobody's Listening (The Great Blog Short Story Project)
- All about the great blog short story project
- Wee Eck (Demoition Magazine, Fall, 2006)
The Sam Bryson Stories
- Flesh and Blood (Collateral Damage Anthology), forthcoming, 2011
- Davey's Daughter (AHMM, September 2008)
- Her Cheating Heart (Spinetingler Magazine, summer 2008)
- What Friends Are For (AHMM, April 2008)
- Like a Matter of Honour (Thrilling Detective, Summer issue, 2006)
- Regrets (AHMM, December 2005)
- Coughing John (AHMM, July/August 2005)
- Dudman's Word (AHMM, December 2004)
- The Death of Ronnie Sweets (AHMM, June 2004)
Science Fiction
Other Fiction
The Short Stories:
"...awesomely dark..." Publisher's Weekly on Pedro Paul (Expletive Deleted)
"Russel's stories are filled with rounded, human characters - no cartoon characters, just people who love and hate and care." Steven Torres on What Friends Are For at Nasty, Brutish, Short.
"...awesomely dark..." Publisher's Weekly on Pedro Paul (Expletive Deleted)
"Russel's stories are filled with rounded, human characters - no cartoon characters, just people who love and hate and care." Steven Torres on What Friends Are For at Nasty, Brutish, Short.
Articles by Russel
- Criminal Classics - James Hogg's "...Justified Sinner"
- Reality and Crime Fiction (Short Bread)
- My Pal, Sam Bryson
- Thrilling Detective Entry for Sam Bryson (edited by Kevin Burton Smith)
- About "The Lost Sister" for RT Book Reviews
- Its All About The Readers (Mulholland)
- The Book You Have To Read: HOW THE DEAD LIVE by Derek Raymond
Reviews of Russel's Work
Interviews by Russel
- With Sean Black (Crime Spree Magazine, issue # 31
- With Tony Black (Crime Spree Magazine, issue #26)
- With Brett Battles (Crime Scene Scotland, September 2008)
- With Steven Torres (Crime Spree Magazine, issue #21)
- With Sean Chercover (Crime Scene Scotland, July 2007)
- Sob Stories: with Carol Anne Davis (Crime Spree Magazine, issue #19, Jul/August 2007)
- With Ray Banks (Crime Scene Scotland, April/May 2006)
- With Jim Michael Hansen (Crime Scene Scotland, January 2006)
- With Iwan Roberts of Hiding Buffallo Games (Crime Scene Scotland, may/june 2005)
- With Allan Guthrie (Crime Scene Scotland, jan/feb 2005)
Interviews with Russel
- Interviewed by Len Wanner
- 7 questions at Writing Raw
- Interviewed by Derek Gunn
- Interviewed by Janice Hally
- Interviewed by Sandra Ruttan
- Interviewed by Tony Black
- Interviewed by Jochem Van Der Steen
- "Ya Wanna Do it Here or Down the Station Punk?" with Declan Burke
- Interviewed by David Lewis
- Interviewed by Damien Seaman
- In For Questioning with Angie Johnson Schmidt (audio)
- Interviewed by Steven Torres
- Interviewed (with Doug Shepherd) by Allan Guthrie
- Interviewed by Mayra Calvani
Where you can find Russel's reviews
- Waterstone's Books Quarterly
- Crime Spree Magazine
- Crime Scene Scotland
Dundee's Finest
- Beiderbeckes Restaurant - where your favourite author loves to eat.
- Dundee book events - bringing authors to the City of Discover
- Grouchos - world's finest second hand music and video store
- Literary Dundee - The Dundee Literary Festival, new writing dundee, literary salons and more.
- The Phoenix - a superb pub; features in many of the Sam Bryson shorts, and makes a guest appearance in The Lost Sister
- The Speedwell/Mennies - grand Perth Road pub famed for its whisky; features in The Good Son
Talk to Russel
If you really want to, drop me a line at:
russelmclean_at_thrillerwriters.org
No hyperlinks. Let's try and avoid the spam.
russelmclean_at_thrillerwriters.org
No hyperlinks. Let's try and avoid the spam.
About Me
Top Reads
Blog me, Baby, blog me
- "Big Red" Amlingmeyer (and that varmint, Steve Hockensmith)
- Allan Guthrie
- Anne Frasier
- Brett Battles
- Bryon Quertermous
- Charlie Williams
- Daniel Hatadi
- Dave White
- Donna Moore's Badsville
- Duane Swierczynski
- Jennifer Jordan
- John Rickards
- Jon Jordan and the Crime Spree Gang
- Kieran Shea
- Martyn Waites
- Ray Banks
- Sandra Ruttan
- Sarah Weinman
- Sean Doolittle
- Stephen Torres
- Stuart MacBride
- That Girl
- The Outfit (Sean Chercover, Barbara D'Amato, Michael Allen Dymmoch, Kevin Guilfoyle, Libby Hellman, Sara Paretsky and Marcus Sakey)
- Vincent Holland Keen
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