Tariq Ashkanani

Tariq Ashkanani, a solicitor at NHS National Services Scotland, received the McIlvanney Prize for his novel The Midnight King. The award, which honours excellence in Scottish crime writing, was presented on the festival’s opening night in Stirling by last year’s winner, Chris Brookmyre.

Named after the late William McIlvanney, regarded as the godfather of Tartan Noir, it is the festival’s most prestigious accolade.

Mr Ashkanani previously won the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize in 2022 for Welcome to Cooper. His latest novel, published by Viper, tells the story of the son of a serial killer who returns home for his father’s funeral. The killer leaves behind a manuscript – a fictionalised confession – along with a box of mementos from his victims, including one belonging to a girl who vanished days before his death.

The judging panel praised the book as “a dark and utterly unsettling read with victims and crimes that stay with you long after you turn the last page.”

They added: “Tariq Ashkanani manages to create an atmosphere of dread while uniquely exploring the theme of nature vs nurture through the Cole family.

“When we speak about thrillers being page turners (this) should be used an example of how it should be done.”