John Duncan

Author of the Scottish crime novels featuring Roach & Tennant set in Aberdeen.

The Denburn was released in summer 2026 and The Snow Kirk in November 2026

John is a self-published author and has worked with local bookshops, libraries and book clubs to promote his book.

Getting out and about speaking to readers and stockists is one of the best parts of the job for him, as the feedback and stories people have can be invaluable for future writing.

John Duncan was born and bred in Aberdeen – going to school in Bucksburn and then the University of Aberdeen where he studied English and PDGE.

His love of books started in the library in Bucksburn where his mum was a regular visitor. Working his way through all the Enid Blyton mysteries and unsolved crime books in the children section, it was Agatha Christie who really grabbed his attention to what a great murder mystery could do.

“I had wanted to write a book since I was a teenager, but I could never find the right angle or approach – with Roach, Tennant and The Denburn, I finally found the hook on which to hang the stories: The history and stories of Aberdeen City & Shire.”

Now writing his third novel in the series, and planning books four and five, John is as interested in seeing the characters in Roach’s team develop and grow through the cases coming their way in the next few years as his readers.

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