By Stewart Lochrie
The Loaded no-nonsense pick of forthcoming releases that’ll scratch the armchair itch. Crime, history, big ideas, a dash of fantasy — and why you should have them in your sights.
The Battle for George Square 1919: Myth, Memory and the Military in Red Clydeside, by Gordon Barclay & Louise Heren
Release date: October 2025
Why it’s a must: For those who like their real history with punch — this one tackles the working-class militancy and political strife in Glasgow in 1919, a time of upheaval after the war, class tension, soldiers returning, political ferment.
What to expect: A serious look at how myth and memory shape modern Scotland, and how tossing grenades of propaganda can affect generations.
The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s, by Jason Burke
Release date: October 2025
Why it’s a must: If you’ve ever wondered how we got to the mess of modern politics — this looks timely. The 1970s had radical movements from across the spectrum; this promises to trace how idealism got warped, how extremism crept into politics.
What to expect: Narratives of radical thinkers, underground movements, clashes between ideology and pragmatism. Might shine a light on how our present maps back to those decades.
The Killing Stones, by Ann Cleeves
Release date: October 2025
Why it’s a must: Cleeves’ reputation in crime is solid (Vera, Shetland, etc.). This revives the detective Jimmy Perez in Orkney. You get bleak landscapes, cold atmospheres, human darkness in stark settings.
What to expect: An isolated murder, old enemies, personal demons. Perfect reading for long nights with a whisky or two.
Revenge of Odessa, by Frederick Forsyth & Tony Kent
Release date: October 2025
Why it’s a must: Forsyth + espionage = classic. Expect global stakes, whispers of covert ops, betrayal, stakes you can feel in your guts.
What to expect: Undercover missions, Russian theatres (Odessa in the title is a big clue), tradecraft, tension.
The Long Shoe, by Bob Mortimer
Release date: October 2025
Why it’s a must: For something more personal but still rich. Mortimer’s voice is quirky, funny, human. This may be the sort you read in bits, laugh, nod, reflect.
What to expect: Anecdotes, memoir-ish style, life’s little absurdities, reflections on getting older.