1588: A Calendar of Crime

‘Shirley McKay’s command of plot, place and character makes these 16th century St Andrews-set mysteries a delight ... Like all the best historical novelists she paints a vivid picture of times past. In these absorbing and scholarly stories she shines a light into the darkness of 16th century Scotland' –  ~Alan Massie, The Scotsman

A fascinating evocation of the everyday life of ordinary Scots in the 1500s as well as series of first-rate stories. Her use of language is a delight, the sinewy and expressive Scots words aiding the creation of Cullen's very realistic world. McKay is to be congratulated for the continued quality and inventiveness of her tales' ~The National

If you're a fan of period drama but the prospect of reading a heavy tome puts you off, Shirley McKay's new book is ideal. It's five gripping tales, from the grotesque murder of a candlemaker to vanishing corpses and a story set around Christmas that makes it perfect for popping into someone's stocking this year' ~Press & Journal

Shirley McKay's command of plot, place and character makes these 16th century St Andrews-set mysteries a delight ... Like all the best historical novelists she paints a vivid picture of times past. In these absorbing and scholarly stories she shines a light into the darkness of 16th century Scotland' ~The Scotsman, Alan Massie