One of the well - known Edinburgh based detective novels is 'The Rebus Series' by Ian Rankin. It features Inspector Rebus who investigates various crimes in the city's complex and often gritty setting.
You might also like 'The Dead House' by Harry Bingham. It's set in Edinburgh and is a good entry - level detective novel. The story has enough twists and turns to keep you interested and the Edinburgh setting is well - integrated into the plot.
Well, 'Case Histories' by Kate Atkinson is also set in Edinburgh. It weaves together different mystery cases in a really interesting way. The characters are well - developed and the Edinburgh setting adds a lot of atmosphere to the story.
I'd also recommend 'The Coffin Trail' by Martin Edwards. It's a good entry - level Edinburgh detective novel. It has an interesting detective protagonist and the Edinburgh setting is well - used to create an engaging mystery.
Well, in Edinburgh detective fiction, there's a strong sense of place. Edinburgh's rich history, from its medieval past to its more modern developments, seeps into the stories. The detective might be solving crimes that are somehow linked to the city's heritage or its social fabric. And the villains can be as diverse as the city's population, ranging from the seedy underworld characters to those who seem to be upstanding citizens but have dark secrets.
Many of these novels also incorporate the city's history and culture. Edinburgh has a rich and sometimes dark past, and authors use this to add depth to their stories. They might include references to the city's famous festivals, its literary heritage, or its historical events like the Witch Trials. This gives the novels an added layer of authenticity and intrigue.
There's also 'The Coffinmaker's Garden' by Stuart MacBride. It's set in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The story is filled with mystery and dark undertones, exploring the seedy side of the city. MacBride's writing style is vivid, making the Edinburgh setting come alive in the pages of the novel.
The 'Rebus' series by Ian Rankin is also highly regarded. These novels feature Inspector John Rebus as he investigates various crimes in Edinburgh. The books are great as they not only show the criminal elements but also the complex character of the city itself, with its old and new areas, different social classes, and a rich history that often plays into the mystery.
The language used in Edinburgh novels can be quite distinct. There might be a lot of Scottish dialect words and phrases, which add to the authenticity of the setting. It gives readers a real taste of the local culture. And often, the stories are intertwined with the city's history, whether it's the industrial past or the more genteel aspects of Edinburgh's society.
Many Edinburgh novels explore social class differences. Edinburgh has a long history of distinct social strata, and novels like 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' show how these differences play out in education, relationships, and society at large. The characters' interactions are often shaped by their class positions.