New Book Explores the Darker Side of the Granite City
Everyday places become the backdrop for secrets in Kenna Anderson’s latest story collection.
It started with a reading at Granite Noir. A glimpse into a story that stuck with listeners. Now, Aberdeen-based writer Kenna Anderson has released Murder in Aberdeen, her third book and first foray into crime writing, featuring gritty stories set across familiar corners of the Granite City. From the harbour to Hazlehead, these seven short stories pull together local settings, dark plots, and complex characters.
The stories aren’t cosy mysteries. They’re fast-paced and full of grey areas, with characters you might not always like but will probably recognise. Anderson read the first piece in the collection, Bobby Was Gone, at Granite Noir last year as part of a showcase for emerging local talent. That same story now leads this new book.
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Murders by the sea, in the courtroom and beyond
The collection plays with tone and setting in ways that feel close to home. In one story, a dolphin-spotting trip takes a sharp turn into something more sinister. Another features a courtroom tale where justice gets tangled up in secrets and lies. Bridesmaids fall out, detectives question their motives, and nothing is quite as straightforward as it seems.
What stands out is Anderson’s clear affection for Aberdeen. “From the harbour to the courtroom, the Hazlehead memorial gardens to the beach front, there are dastardly deeds and suspicion around every corner,” Anderson said. “As a local writer, having the opportunity to let my imagination run free in the backdrop of my hometown is a delight and guilty pleasure.”
From poetry to police procedurals
Anderson has been writing professionally for over twenty years, often weaving themes of healing and memory into her poetry. Her earlier books have been used in schools, hospitals and support groups, and Murder in Aberdeen marks her first turn towards crime fiction. It still holds echoes of her previous work, especially in how it deals with loss, grief and what we choose to hide.
She’s recently gone back to study nursing at RGU, bringing a new layer to her interest in how people cope with stress, guilt and recovery. Writing fits around daily life with her daughter and walks in the countryside.
If you’re curious to follow these dark little journeys across Aberdeen, Murder in Aberdeen is available from Waterstones or Amazon.
