Step into the chaotic, witty world of the Best Defence series, where Scottish solicitor Robbie Munro juggles courtroom battles, shady clients, and a messy personal life with a grin and a grimace! Written by William H.S. McIntyre, this crime thriller series blends dark comedy, legal drama, and Tartan Noir, offering a fresh peek into Scotland’s quirky legal system.
With its fast-paced plots and laugh-out-loud moments, Best Defence hooks readers who love mysteries with a side of humor. Whether Robbie’s defending a dubious client or dodging family drama, the series keeps you guessing through every twist.
How Best Defence Began
William H.S. McIntyre, a seasoned criminal defence lawyer at Scotland’s oldest law firm, Russel + Aitken, crafted the Best Defence series from his decades of courtroom experience. Inspired by real cases and colorful characters from his practice in Linlithgow, McIntyre set out to write legal thrillers that ditch the serial-killer clichés for authentic, human stories. His debut, Relatively Guilty, hit shelves in 2011, introducing Robbie Munro as a flawed yet endearing hero navigating Scotland’s justice system with wit and grit.
McIntyre self-published his first five books before Sandstone Press picked up the series, a testament to his storytelling prowess. His goal? To show that justice isn’t just about convicting the guilty but also about defending the innocent—often with a chuckle.
The Heart of Best Defence
The Best Defence series spans over a dozen books, each plunging Robbie Munro into legal quagmires and personal chaos. In Relatively Guilty, Robbie defends a young wife accused of murdering her policeman husband, uncovering secrets that challenge the case’s open-and-shut appearance. Duty Man, the second book, sees Robbie tackling the assassination of a local lawyer, with bodies piling up as he digs deeper. Last Will throws Robbie into a grisly double-murder case while he fights to prove he’s a fit father to his newfound daughter. Present Tense ups the ante when a mysterious box from a client links Robbie to a millionaire’s son’s murder.
Themes of justice, morality, and the gap between law and fairness run deep, all wrapped in McIntyre’s dry Scottish humor. Set in the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow and the Central Belt, the series paints a vivid picture of Scotland’s legal world, from gritty courtrooms to cozy cafés serving West Lothian’s finest bacon rolls. Robbie’s juggling act—balancing clients, family, and ethics—makes him a relatable underdog, while the series’ dark comedy and intricate mysteries keep readers hooked.
McIntyre’s insider knowledge lends authenticity, with courtroom banter and legal aid struggles reflecting real-life challenges. Fans praise the series for its snappy prose, colorful characters like Robbie’s ex-cop dad and crook landlord Jake Turpie, and plots that blend humor with high stakes.
Why Best Defence Resonates
Best Defence stands out in the Tartan Noir scene for its fresh perspective, swapping cop-driven tales for a defence lawyer’s view. Its blend of legal thriller, mystery, and comedy has earned a loyal following, with Relatively Guilty shortlisted for the 2012 Dundee International Book Prize. Reviewers, including The Scotsman, laud its crisp writing and authentic portrayal of Scotland’s courts, while fans on Goodreads rave about its page-turning plots and laugh-out-loud moments.
The series’ lasting appeal lies in its humanity—Robbie’s flaws, from his shaky love life to his ethical tightropes, mirror the messy realities of life. By highlighting the underdog’s fight in a Kafkaesque legal system, Best Defence resonates with readers who crave smart, character-driven crime fiction.
- First Book Published: Relatively Guilty (2011)
- Number of Books: Over 12 in the series
- Setting: Linlithgow and Central Belt, Scotland
- Award: Relatively Guilty shortlisted for Dundee International Book Prize 2012
Grab Relatively Guilty and dive into the Best Defence series’ wild world of crime, comedy, and courtroom chaos!