Picture a Scottish storyteller who swapped tactical nuclear weapons for a typewriter to craft gritty crime thrillers—meet Gordon Ferris! Born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, Ferris is the mastermind behind the Douglas Brodie series, a collection of historical crime novels that plunge readers into the smoky, scarred streets of 1940s Glasgow. His debut, The Hanging Shed, skyrocketed to fame as a Kindle bestseller, proving that post-war Britain could be just as thrilling as any battlefield.
With a knack for blending noir vibes with meticulous historical detail, Ferris captures the chaos and resilience of a nation rebuilding after World War II. His tales of betrayal, razor gangs, and moral ambiguity have earned him a spot as a rising star in Scottish crime fiction, often compared to legends like Val McDermid.
The Making of Gordon Ferris
Born on January 25, 1949, in Kilmarnock, Ferris grew up in a working-class town steeped in industrial grit—a perfect backdrop for his later tales. His mother saw literary promise in him, but Ferris took a winding path to authorship. He started as a computer programmer before climbing the ranks at the Ministry of Defence, where he managed projects like the Blowpipe missile and even dabbled in procuring nuclear systems. Later, he joined Price Waterhouse as a consultancy partner. It wasn’t until long-haul flights left him with idle hours that he began penning stories, channeling his love for writing into crime fiction.
Ferris’s diverse career gave him a unique lens—analytical yet empathetic—which he brought to his novels. Inspired by the untapped potential of post-war settings, he dove into the 1940s, a time of social upheaval and raw human struggle, to craft narratives that feel both authentic and electrifying.
Gordon Ferris’s Unforgettable Stories
Ferris’s Douglas Brodie series is his crowning achievement, starting with The Hanging Shed (2010). Set in 1946 Glasgow, it follows Brodie, a war-weary ex-cop and journalist, as he fights to save a childhood friend from the gallows. The novel’s dark, noir tone and vivid depiction of a bomb-ravaged city made it a word-of-mouth hit, selling 150,000 e-books in six months. Critics praised its “grimy” atmosphere and Brodie’s tortured yet compelling narration.
The series continues with Bitter Water (2012), where Brodie tackles corruption and vigilantism, and Pilgrim Soul (2013), set during the brutal winter of 1946–47, exploring Glasgow’s Jewish community. Ferris’s Danny McRae duology—Truth Dare Kill (2007) and The Unquiet Heart (2008)—offers a London-based counterpoint, featuring a traumatized ex-spy turned detective. His style blends hard-boiled dialogue, historical authenticity, and a knack for weaving complex mysteries that keep readers guessing.
Ferris’s strength lies in his ability to make history pulse with life. He paints Glasgow’s slums, shipyards, and religious divides with a deft hand, while his characters—flawed, resilient, and often haunted—navigate a world where justice is murky. His research is meticulous, though he’s not above inventing details, like a hijacked coal train, to heighten the drama.
Why Gordon Ferris Matters
Ferris carved a niche in historical crime fiction by spotlighting the overlooked post-war era, a time when Britain was broke, battered, and brimming with untold stories. His Douglas Brodie series not only entertains but also preserves the texture of 1940s Glasgow—its razor gangs, bombed-out streets, and defiant spirit. Val McDermid called him “the natural heir to Buchan and Stevenson,” a testament to his storytelling prowess.
His impact extends to the digital realm, where The Hanging Shed’s e-book success showcased the power of new technology in publishing. For fans of tartan noir, Ferris offers a thrilling blend of history and suspense, making him a must-read for anyone craving a gritty escape.
- Born: January 25, 1949, Kilmarnock, Scotland
- Key Works: The Hanging Shed, Bitter Water, Pilgrim Soul, Truth Dare Kill
- Genre: Historical Crime Fiction
- Notable Achievement: The Hanging Shed was Britain’s first Kindle bestseller in 2011
Snag The Hanging Shed and dive into Gordon Ferris’s thrilling world of tartan noir!