For his debut crime novel Meantime

Frankie Boyle’s first novel has been nominated for a crime-writing award.

His book Meantime, which is out next month, has been shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize.

Described as ‘a picaresque detective story set against the backdrop of post-referendum Scotland’, the novel tells of a Valium addict whose best friend is found murdered in a park – and he recruits a  brilliant but mercurial GP, a bright young trade unionist, a failing screenwriter, a semi-celebrity crime novelist and his crisis fuelled neighbour to help.

Publishers John Murray say: ‘ It's dazzlingly funny, grappling with big ideas, and is heartbreakingly tinged with personal and political loss.’

The £500 prize is for the best first crime book either set in Scotland or written by an author either born or living north of the border. It is awarded by Bloody Scotland, an international literary festival held in Stirling in September.

Also nominated are  The Girl, The Crow, The Writer and The Fighter by George Paterson; Welcome to Cooper by Tariq Ashkanani;   Hear No Evil by Sarah Smith and The Wolf Hunters by Amanda Mitchison.

Published: 28 Jun 2022