Dive into the shadowy streets of Glasgow with the Tony Winter series, where a crime scene photographer’s haunting gift unravels mysteries that grip your soul! Crafted by Craig Robertson, this gritty crime thriller saga follows Tony Winter, a man who sees more than just evidence in his lens—he deciphers the final moments of victims through their photographed eyes. Paired with the tenacious Detective Sergeant Rachel Narey, Winter’s unofficial sleuthing delivers a fresh spin on Tartan Noir, blending psychological depth with pulse-pounding suspense.
With its vivid Glasgow backdrop and complex characters, the series invites readers into a world where death tells a story, and every clue is a piece of a chilling puzzle. Ready to explore the dark allure of Tony Winter’s investigations? Let’s step into this thrilling universe!
How Tony Winter Began
Craig Robertson, a former journalist who once outscooped Oprah Winfrey, traded headlines for crime fiction with the Tony Winter series. His debut novel, Random, launched in 2010, introducing Winter as a Glasgow crime scene photographer with a knack for seeing beyond the obvious. Inspired by his own experiences reporting on major crimes like 9/11 and the Dunblane massacre, Robertson wanted to craft stories rooted in the gritty realism of Glasgow’s underbelly. The series, featuring Winter and Narey, grew from this desire to explore the human side of crime through a unique lens—literally and figuratively.
The Heart of Tony Winter
The Tony Winter series, also known as the Narey & Winter series, spans eight novels, each delving deeper into Glasgow’s criminal world. Random (2010) kicks off with a serial killer narrating his chilling spree, setting the stage for Winter’s morbid fascination with death. In Snapshot (2011), Winter’s camera captures the aftermath of brutal killings, while his insights aid Narey’s official probes. Cold Grave (2012) shifts focus to Narey, tackling a decades-old murder on a frozen lake, with Winter’s photographs revealing hidden truths. Murderabilia (2016) explores the macabre trade of crime artifacts, pulling Winter and Narey into the dark web’s depths.
The series’ themes revolve around grief, revenge, and the moral ambiguity of justice, wrapped in Glasgow’s atmospheric grit. Robertson’s prose, laced with dark humor and vivid street-level detail, makes the city a character in itself—think Sauchiehall Street’s neon buzz or the Necropolis’s eerie tombs. Winter’s unsettling empathy for victims, coupled with Narey’s battle against sexism in the force, adds emotional weight, making each book a blend of procedural rigor and psychological intrigue.
Why Tony Winter Resonates
The Tony Winter series has carved a niche in Scottish crime fiction, earning praise for its authentic Glasgow vibe and complex characters. Fans of Tartan Noir, from Ian Rankin to Denise Mina, find Robertson’s work a worthy addition, with Random snagging a CWA New Blood Dagger nomination and Sunday Times bestseller status. Its impact lies in its unflinching look at human darkness, balanced by moments of hope and humor, resonating with readers who crave stories that linger. The series’ cult following continues to grow, fueled by its unique perspective and Robertson’s knack for reinventing the genre.
- First Book: Random (2010)
- Number of Books: 8
- Awards: Random nominated for CWA New Blood Dagger
- Setting: Contemporary Glasgow
Ready to lose yourself in Glasgow’s darkest corners? Grab Random and join Tony Winter’s thrilling chase through the shadows of Tartan Noir!