Ruxton the first modern murder by Tom Wood was, very unusually for a true crime book, was recently shortleeted for the Dcottish Non Fiction Book of the Year . The judges commentated “Fascinating and unforgettable, this book exposes a darkly sinister tale to the light, offering novel insights into not only the criminal case but how its investigation acted as a catalyst for the transformation of modern policing and forensics. Ruxton benefits from a rigorous and resourceful research process, without ever compromising on pace or readability. A decisive moment in criminal history is examined with intelligence, clarity and originality.”
Val McDermid who wrote the Foreword describes the book as “A Fascinating story told with teh clarity and urgency of a thriller. And it’s a damn good read”.
Cuddies Strip by Rob McInroy is a fictionalised account of a real Scottish murder in 1935 Perth, a murder committed within weeks of the Ruxton one. Cathi Unsworth, a fine novelist herself, said of the book “I read this wonderful novel with a tear in my eye. I could hardly bear to read the ending but it was beautiful”
Although both books deal with 1935 crimes, they each have powerful contemporary resonances. Ruxton marks the birth of modern forensic science as a powerful factor in the investigation of crime, a topic that ha sremained of great interest ever since. Cuddies Strip addresses systemic misogyny in the criminal justice system and the police service both still topics of current concern
The third book in this special offer is The Ten Percent by Simon McLean, Ringwood’s best selling book of 2020. A riveting account of the career of an undercover police officer.. It provides a fascinating and entertaining glimpses into policing realities and dilemmas seldom discussed in public.
