A morning of Dark Secrets and Lyrical Noir with Michael J. Malone.

Step into the shadows of Scotland’s premier literary landscape for an engrossing encounter with bestselling author and award-winning poet Michael J. Malone.

This exclusive festival event bridges the gap between classic Scottish storytelling and contemporary Tartan Noir. Malone, a master of the psychological thriller, will take audiences on a gripping journey through his celebrated body of work, from the chilling domestic suspense of A Suitable Lie to the haunting, gothic atmosphere of his supernatural mysteries, The Murmurs and The Torments. Raised in Ayrshire and deeply inspired by the region's rich narrative heritage, Malone brings a unique local resonance to his gripping tales of suspense, secrets, and human frailty.

Michael will share industry secrets from his diverse career as a creative writing tutor, literary judge, and publisher insider.

Whether you are a die-hard crime fiction fan, an aspiring writer looking to crack the publishing world, or a lover of beautifully crafted prose, this session promises deep insights, plenty of dark humour, and a look behind the curtain of modern psychological fiction.

Michael J. Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the heart of Burns’ country. He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, countless articles, and sixteen novels.

His bestselling debut novel, Blood Tears won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. He has also been awarded the Dorothy Dunbar Rose Bowl for poetry from the same organisation.

A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr.

His novel, The Cutting (Orenda Books) is the fourth in the critically acclaimed Annie Jackson mystery series, published in September 2026.

Check out the A Blether o Books: Scotland Through Literature Collection for other events in this series.

Refunds will only be given in the event of cancellation by organisers.

Description supplied by the event organiser.