Callum McSorley is a writer based in Glasgow.
He graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2013 with a degree in English, Journalism & Creative Writing, and in 2014 was selected for the Hermann Kesten Writing Scholarship in Nuremberg. In 2019 he was shortlisted for The Big Issue Crime Writing Contest.
His short stories have appeared in Gutter Magazine, Shoreline of Infinity, New Writing Scotland, Typehouse Literary Magazine, The Glasgow Review of Books, Monstrous Regiment, and many more.
His debut novel, SQUEAKY CLEAN was published by Pushkin Vertigo in 2023.
Callum is represented by Emily MacDonald at 42 Management & Production.
Squeaky Clean (2023, Pushkin Vertigo)
Half the Glasgow polis think DI Alison McCoist is bent. The other half just think she’s a fuck-up.
No one thinks very much at all about carwash employee Davey Burnet, until one day he takes the wrong customer’s motor for a ride.
One kidnapping later, he and the carwash are officially part of Glasgow’s criminal underworld, working for a psychopath who enjoys playing games like ‘Keep Yer Kneecaps’ with any poor bastard who crosses him.
Can Davey escape from the gang’s clutches with his kneecaps and life intact? Perhaps this polis Ally McCoist who keeps nosing around the carwash could help. That’s if she doesn’t get herself killed first.
Squeaky Clean is out now, you can buy here.
“The scabrous comedy and compassion (for his protagonists, the underdog and a rescue puppy called Bruce) make the graphic scenes of torture almost palatable. SQUEAKY CLEAN is an amazingly accomplished debut.”
THE TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH, MARCH 2023
“There is humour on every page, too – this really is a very funny book despite the dark material. Both main characters are works of genius, and I very much hope there will be a sequel.”
THE SCOTSMAN
“Smart, nasty and really rather heartbreaking…”
THE HERALD“An uproarious, sardonic noir thriller from the Glasgow depths… Brutal, wonderfully humorous and a great addition to Tartan Noir, this novel unveils a terrific new talent with a highly distinctive ‘voice’…”
CRIME TIME“An absolute knockout of a debut! Pitch-dark and yet dripping with warmth, SQUEAKY CLEAN is a truly fresh take on the classic thriller. Packed with brilliantly drawn characters, laugh-out-loud humour, and lots of blood – what’s not to love? Can’t wait to see what my new favourite detective does next.”
CAZ FREAR, author of Sweet Little Lies
“A manic tale of blood and suds told with laconic humour and warmly engaging characterisation. Callum McSorley is definitely a talent to watch. I knew within a page that I was in good hands.”
CHRIS BROOKMYRE
“An outstanding work of tartan noir. McSorley’s nightmarish Glasgow with its crime and vice is wonderfully drawn in all its gritty beauty. Larger than life characters lure us into a dark and sordid tale which twists and turns in unexpected ways that delight the reader. What a magnificent debut!”
T.L. HUCHU, author of the Edinburgh Nights series
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