Unknown by Heather Critchlow has been nominated for the prestigious McIlvanney Prize at the 2026 Bloody Scotland crime festival.
Awarded annually to ‘the best Scottish crime book of the year’, previous winners include Tartan Noir greats such as Chris Brookmyre, Denise Mina and Peter May. This year’s prize will be judged by author and broadcaster Sally Magnusson, radio and podcast presenter Nicola Meighan, and crime blogger Gordon McGhie.
Unknown is Heather’s fourth novel in the Cal Lovett series, which follows Cal, a true-crime podcaster obsessed with cold cases while navigating his own traumas. This is her second appearance on the McIlvanney Prize longlist, following the selection of the series’ third novel, Unsound, in 2025. Her first novel, Unsolved, was shortlisted for Bloody Scotland's prestigious Debut Prize in 2023.
The shortlist will be announced ahead of the festival, which takes place in Stirling from 18–20 September. The winner of the McIlvanney Prize will be revealed on the festival’s opening night.