William McIlvanney Reading Order
6 series Β· 23 books
William McIlvanney was a prominent Scottish author celebrated for his impactful contributions to crime fiction and literary works. Over his career, which spanned from 1966 to 2021, he authored 23 books across six series, including the acclaimed Jack Laidlaw series, as well as standalone novels, poetry, and nonfiction. His most notable works capture the essence of urban life, with "Laidlaw" being a standout example of his ability to blend gritty realism with poetic narrative.
Anthologies Series
Complete1 book (2012β2012)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Here 2012Buy πΊπΈ |
Jack Laidlaw Series
Likely Complete4 books (1977β2021)
Start with Laidlaw, the first of 4 books in the Jack Laidlaw series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Laidlaw 1977Buy πΊπΈ |
| 2 | The Papers of Tony Veitch 1983Buy πΊπΈ |
| 3 | Strange Loyalties 1991Buy πΊπΈ |
| 4 | The Dark Remains(With: Ian Rankin) 2021Buy πΊπΈ |
Non-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (1993β1993)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shades of Grey 1993Buy πΊπΈ |
Poems/Short Story Collections Series
Complete5 books (1970β1991)
Start with The Longships In Harbour, the first of 5 books in the Poems/Short Story Collections series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Longships In Harbour 1970Buy πΊπΈ |
| 2 | Landscapes & Figures 1973Buy πΊπΈ |
| 3 | These Words 1984Buy πΊπΈ |
| 4 | Walking Wounded 1989Buy πΊπΈ |
| 5 | Surviving the Shipwreck 1991Buy πΊπΈ |
Saltire Series
Likely Complete5 books (2013β2021)
Start with The Artist and Nationality(By: Meaghan Delahunt), the first of 5 books in the Saltire series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Artist and Nationality(By: Meaghan Delahunt) 2013Buy πΊπΈ |
| 2 | Dreaming Scotland 2014Buy πΊπΈ |
| 3 | Nevertheless(By: Allan Massie) 2014Buy πΊπΈ |
| 4 | Second Wind(By: Douglas Dunn) 2015Buy πΊπΈ |
| 5 | Ploughing the City(By: Sorcha Carey) 2021Buy πΊπΈ |
Standalone Novels Series
Complete7 books (1966β2006)
Start with Remedy is None, the first of 7 books in the Standalone Novels series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Remedy is None 1966Buy πΊπΈ |
| 2 | A Gift From Nessus 1968Buy πΊπΈ |
| 3 | Docherty 1975Buy πΊπΈ |
| 4 | The Big Man 1985Buy πΊπΈ |
| 5 | In Through the Head 1988Buy πΊπΈ |
| 6 | The Kiln 1996Buy πΊπΈ |
| 7 | Weekend 2006Buy πΊπΈ |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has William McIlvanney written?
- William McIlvanney has written 23 books across 6 series. Their published works span from 1966 to 2021.
- What is the first book in each William McIlvanney series?
- Here are the first books in William McIlvanney's series: Jack Laidlaw: Laidlaw; Poems/Short Story Collections: The Longships In Harbour; Saltire: The Artist and Nationality(By: Meaghan Delahunt).
- What order should I read William McIlvanney's books?
- We recommend reading William McIlvanney's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are William McIlvanney's series complete?
- William McIlvanney has 4 completed series.

