Allan Guthrie Books In Order

Publication Order of Pearce Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Most Wanted Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Allan Guthrie is a Scottish author of mystery and young adult fiction books known for his Pearce series. Besides writing, Allan is a crime fiction editor and literary agent.

Originally from Orkney, Allan has spent much of his adult life in Edinburgh. His first book, Two-Way Split, was a contender for the CWA Debut Dagger Award and won Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award in 2007. His next book, Kiss Her Goodbye, also gained notable acclaim, with nominations for prestigious awards like the Edgar Award, the Anthony Award, and the Gumshoe Award.

Allan is connected to a group of well-known writers. This includes authors such as Ken Bruen, Reed Farrel Coleman, and Jason Starr, indicating his involvement in a community of respected and influential literary figures. This association suggests a strong collaborative and supportive network, especially in crime and mystery literature.

Published in 2004, Two Way Split is Allan Guthrie’s debut standalone novel. It starts intensely and keeps the pressure on all the way to the end. When you finish, you might feel like giving the author, Allan Guthrie, a piece of your mind because of the emotional rollercoaster he takes you on.

Set in the less-visited areas of Edinburgh, the story presents characters and places far from the typical tourist spots. These are places where people watch their steps to avoid unpleasant surprises on the streets.

The book is anything but light-hearted. The main character, Robin, believes his wife, Carol, is having an affair with his best friend, Eddie. When he hires a detective agency, they confirm his fears with photos. But then the story takes a surprising turn. Robin, who seems like an ordinary guy, reacts violently to the news, attacking the investigator.

As readers, we’re left wondering if we should sympathize with Robin, given his wife’s infidelity. But then the plot thickens when Robin, Carol, and Eddie get involved in a Post Office robbery. This forces Robin to push aside his issues as he gets caught up in the crime.
The story rapidly descends into chaos, with the characters losing control in a world filled with madness. The narrative is rife with conflicts and revenge and even describes in graphic detail the torture of victims, adding to its dark and intense atmosphere. Guthrie’s storytelling immerses you deeply into a world of violence and betrayal.

The author constantly challenges the reader’s sense of right and wrong, especially when it comes to the idea of violent people meeting violent ends. The story is woven with themes of greed and revenge, but it goes deeper than that. Guthrie explores the minds of his characters in great detail, depicting a mental breakdown in a very realistic and intense way.

Guthrie’s writing style is notably confident and well-crafted, almost as if it’s made for the screen. He maintains a detached, almost clinical approach to his storytelling, staying aloof from his troubled characters. This detachment leaves little room for explanations or hope, giving the narrative a hard, impersonal edge. The dialogues are short and often crude, reflecting the harsh realities of the characters’ lives, making the book feel like it’s ready for a dark, gritty film adaptation.

The passage of time plays a crucial role in Two-Way Split. The author constantly reminds the reader of the ticking clock, creating a sense of inevitable destruction. While brutality and chaos are at the forefront of the story, the deeper theme revolves around the internal conflicts of the characters. Guthrie portrays these characters as irreparably damaged, their souls shattered beyond repair as life moves on faster than expected.

The book is filled with action, violence, and a cycle of revenge, leading to a climax where all hope and future prospects are extinguished. Guthrie masterfully keeps the reader engaged with a fast-paced narrative that eventually concludes in a final, sobering moment where everything comes to an end.

Throughout the story, we get to meet a group of rough and unlikely heroes in Edinburgh, where the story is set against a harsh Scottish winter. The sky over the city is cold and bleak, with no higher powers to look to for guidance. The main characters, Robin, his wife Carol, and their partner-in-crime Eddie make a mess of a post office robbery.

Another key character is Pearce, an ex-convict haunted by the drug-related death of his sister Muriel over a decade ago. The robbery results in the loss of his mother, pushing Pearce towards thoughts of vengeance, a recurring theme in his troubled life. Pearce also faces problems due to a wrong choice in trust and issues with a loan shark, leading him to Ailsa’s doorstep. Ailsa’s life is equally grim, with financial struggles and the threat of a dangerous ex-lover looming over her and her daughter. In this harsh world created by Guthrie, even a kind gesture seems out of place.
Meanwhile, Robin’s brother Don struggles to escape destructive patterns in his quest for reconnection, and Detective Kennedy fails to transform into the better person he aspires to be.

Two-Way Split fits squarely into the Tartan Noir genre, but it’s a darker, more ruthless version, reminiscent of Stuart MacBride’s work but without the humor or moral direction. All of Guthrie’s characters are flawed, and there’s no escape from their grim realities. This book isn’t a comfortable read, but it’s compelling and demands attention.

Kiss Her Goodbye is the first book in the Pearce series by Allan Guthrie. Joe, a career criminal, faces a world turned upside down when his daughter Gemma tragically takes her own life. Blaming his cousin Adam for Gemma’s death, Joe sets out to confront him, filled with thoughts of revenge. However, upon his arrival, he learns of another shocking event: his wife has been brutally murdered.

Due to their strained relationship and some incriminating evidence, Joe quickly becomes the main suspect in his wife’s murder. Desperate to prove his innocence, Joe finds himself in a race against time. A key piece to the puzzle lies in Gemma’s diary, which contains entries that seem to implicate Joe. For fans of noir books, Kiss Her Goodbye ticks all the boxes of the genre. It’s a compelling series debut novel which can be read as a standalone.