A Voice In The Dark

Author Tariq Ashkanani talks about the evolution of his writing and the ideas that inspired his latest thriller, The Midnight King

- by DAWN GEDDES

IT has been four years since we last spoke to the Edinburgh-based author Tariq Ashkanani on the release of his debut novel Welcome To Cooper. In fact, we were the first publication ever to interview the novelist. But a lot has happened in that short time.

The solicitor-turned-writer has since released another three novels and has even been shortlisted for a number of glittering writing prizes. In 2022, he won the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, then last September he beat crime-writing royalty Ian Rankin and Denise Mina to be crowned the winner of the Mcllvanney Prize for his brutal and brilliant novel The Midnight King.

As the paperback version of the book is released, we caught up with Tariq to find out about his writing journey. "I'd always thought about how amazing it would be to win both the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and the Mcllvanney — so to actually do it feels incredible," Tariq said. "Even just making it onto the longlist alongside such fantastic authors was brilliant.

"It was so nice to see a mix of new and more established authors being recognised and see such a range of Scottish crime being celebrated.

"Winning a prize like the Mcllvanney is great for any author's career," he added. "You get exposure from it and that helps with sales. I also think that psychologically it’s really helpful.

The Midnight King is a gripping and unnerving crime thriller. The novel centres around Lucas Cole, who is a bestselling writer. He is a quiet, unassuming man and a beloved celebrity in his small town. Lucas Cole is also a serial killer.

Nathan Cole has always known the truth about his father, but it isn’t until Lucas is found dead that Nathan discovers “The Midnight King”, his father’s fictionalised account of his hideous crimes, hidden in a box of trinkets taken from his victims — trinkets that include a ribbon belonging to a missing girl who disappeared only days before Lucas's death.