Scottish crime author Chris Brookmyre's debut Quite Ugly One Morning (1996) introduced Jack Parlabane to the world. Jack is back in Chris' latest title Quite Ugly One Evening, published on the 7th of May 2026.
Describe your latest book in one sentence.
A locked (state)room mystery on board a transatlantic liner, in which Jack Parlabane has until the ship reaches New York to solve a murder, otherwise he’s the one going down for it.
What soundtrack do you suggest readers should listen to while they read your latest book?
This playlist gives a fair impression of what was in my head while writing it.
What's next?
My wife Marisa Haetzman and I write together under the name Ambrose Parry, and we have just delivered the first in a new series of historical crime novels set in 1920s London.
What was the first book you remember reading?
Asterix in Britain. It really screwed up my perception of ancient history. And French people.
Please list your top five all-time favourite books (any genre)
- Swing Hammer Swing! by Jeff Torrington
- Espedair Street by Iain Banks
- Hiding the Elephant by Jim Steinmeyer
- The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson (okay, it’s three books, but I can’t choose just one of them)
- Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
What is the most underrated crime novel, and why does it deserve more attention?
People misapply the term “noir” to just about anything in the crime genre, so it frustrates me that Doug Johnstone is not more lauded for consistently delivering what noir is truly all about: lean, punchy, pacy, unsentimental and utterly compelling crime novels. Anything by Doug would fit the bill, but his Skelfs series in particular ought to be on the bestseller lists.
The Gumshoe Dude sneaks into your latest story while you’re not looking. What is he doing there?
Having a really strange time aboard a cruise ship, surrounded by obsessive devotees of a psychedelic 1960s puppet show that has become an unlikely new front in the culture wars.
And now for the quick questions:
Top book on your TBR (to-be-read)
The Pinnacle by Abir Mukherjee
Poirot or Rebus?
Rebus. Agatha Christie never gives me album recommendations.
Keyboard or pen?
Keyboard. My handwriting is a disgrace, and I’m not even the doctor in the house.
Audio or E-book?
E-book. Audio books are just too slow.
If you turn on the radio now, what station is playing?
Static. There’s no aerial attached to my hifi. But if you press Play, you’ll probably hear Jimmy Eat World.
And finally, your writing beverage of choice?
Water, carbonated by my Aarke.
Questions ©Bonnie Burke-Patel and Anneli Meeder; Responses ©Chris Brookmyre, author photo ©Chris Brookmyre
