Marion Todd Bio

Marion Todd is a celebrated Scottish crime author, best known for her DI Clare Mackay series police procedural novels, set in the historic Scottish town of St Andrews. Her background in education, and her passion for storytelling has allowed her to grow a loyal readership both in the UK and internationally.

Born and raised in Scotland, Todd knew she had a passion for storytelling from a young age, finding inspiration in the surrounding Scottish landscapes and history. Marion studied music at university, and worked for many years as a piano teacher and as a jobbing accompanist.

Before turning her hand to writing, Todd was a lecturer, candlemaker and hotel lounge pianist, exposing her to many different experiences to draw on while creating her crime fiction series featuring Detective Inspector Clare Mackay. She is also a member of the Caledonia Crime Collective, which advocates for Scottish crime fiction.

Winning first prize in the Family Circle Magazine Short Story for Children Competition in 1987, Marion Todd began her writing career with this achievement. She has also had several point-of-view pieces published in the Dundee Courier and short stories published in My Weekly magazine.

Todd has been a vocal critic of the unauthorized use of copyrighted works for AI training after her works were included in Meta’s training datasets without permission.

Marion Todd is recognized as ‘A rising star in Scottish crime fiction’ by Scots Magazine. Her works are frequently compared to those of Caro Ramsay and Lin Anderson. The Daily Mail described her as ‘A Master of the Tartan Noir Genre’, and Scottish Field praised her work as ‘Tartan Noir at its nail-biting, bloody brutal best’.

The road to success

The road to success as a writer is never as easy as it appears. Like many authors, Todd honed her skills over many years, developing her voice and her writing techniques.

She eventually wrote her first novel, and then saw an advertisement from Inverness arts festival, XPONorth, which gave the opportunity to pitch a novel to a panel of experts. She received one of the spots, receiving invaluable feedback. 

As with many writers, that first novel was abandoned, but DI Clare Mackay was born. 

With Clare as the central character, Todd sent copies of her new novel to several agents, but received plenty of rejections. Just as she was getting ready to self-publish, Northbank Talent Management offered representation. She then received a publication offer from Canelo, a digital-first publisher well known for supporting emerging writers, and from there See Them Run was published. 

DI Clare Mackay – True Scottish crime fiction

Todd’s success has come via her Detective Inspector Clare Mackay series, a police procedural series that blends suspense, emotional depth and detailed plots. Set primarily in St Andrews, Todd blends the town, famous for its university and coastline, with the darker elements of crime and human behaviour.

The first book in the series, See Them Run, captured attention almost immediately; the fast-paced narrative and compelling characters drew both seasoned and new crime fiction readers alike. This was then followed by a series of successful novels, including In Plain Sight, Dead Man’s Shoes and Old Bones Lie. Each novel follows and builds on the one previous, suitable for both standalone reading and reading as a series. Her latest book, Watch Them Fall, was published in March 2026, continuing the success of her DI Clare Mackay series.

Across the novels, Clare Mackay often deals with cases such as:

• Hit and run
• Abductions
• Serial offenders
• Long‑buried secrets
• Worrying murders

It is Clare as a central character than readers relate to and a large role in why the series is so popular. She is a resilient and intelligent character, dealing with her own personal issues as well as her professional investigations. Readers connect to to her on a deeper level, resulting in more than your average crime fiction novel.

The DI Clare Mackay series has been described as a gripping addition to the crime genre, appealing to fans of Tartan Noir. Readers have described Todd’s writing as ‘engrossing and immersive’, with one reviewer stating they ‘devoured it in one sitting’.

The series has sold over half a million copies.

Crime Book Group

Upon retirement, Marion Todd joined the newly formed Waterstones Crime Book Group in her hometown. The group allowed her to meet with and read the works of different authors each month, inspiring her even further. 

Today, Todd still attends workshops and writing events, networking and increasing her knowledge of publishing, editing and writing.

With her first novel only released in 2019, Marion Todd is a relative newcomer to the crime fiction world, and these events allow her to interact with other authors and readers. 

Writing style and themes

As a crime fiction author, Todd’s writing is often spoken about for its balance between attention-grabbing plots and emotional alignment. Her novels feature mysteries woven throughout the story, great dialogue, and a strong understanding of the surroundings. The Scottish setting provides not only a real-life backdrop, but also plays an integral role in the storytelling of the local police department, often highlighting the procedures and challenges faced by Police Scotland.

Readers will notice some common themes running throughout Todd’s work, including justice, morality, and the psychological impact of crime. Todd’s novels frequently delve deeper into the psychological impact of crime and the deepest secrets of her characters, enhancing the suspense and complexity of her stories.

Rising star in the crime fiction world 

Marion Todd is a rising star in the crime fiction novel genre. She has gained significant recognition and her books have performed well on digital platforms, particularly in the UK.

In 2018 she was long-listed for the Sunstory Award, as well as the Scottish Arts Council Short Story Award. In 2019, she was short-listed for the Dundee Rep’s Stripped programme. 

In 2020, Marion’s debut novel, See The Run, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year award

For readers seeking character driven crime novels, The DI Clare Mackay series is well worth reading.

Legacy and future projects

Marion Todd’s impact on Scottish crime fiction is undeniable. As the creator of the DI Clare Mackay series, she has carved out a distinctive place in the genre, captivating readers with her intricate plots and the atmospheric setting of St Andrews. With each new book, DI Clare Mackay leads her team through complex investigations, balancing the demands of the St Andrews force with her own personal challenges. Todd’s ability to blend authentic police procedure with compelling storytelling has earned her widespread acclaim, with critics hailing her as a rising star and a master of Tartan Noir.

The DI Clare Mackay series continues to set the standard for character-driven Scottish crime fiction. Whether Clare investigates a case involving a convicted jewel thief or faces the emotional turmoil of a potentially fatal medical condition, Todd’s writing keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last. The series’ success is reflected not only in its impressive sales but also in the loyalty of its fan base, who eagerly await each new installment.

Looking ahead, Marion Todd shows no signs of slowing down. Fans are already anticipating the next chapter in the DI Clare Mackay series, confident that Todd will deliver more of the suspense, depth, and authenticity that have become her trademarks. Her background as a piano teacher and hotel lounge pianist brings a unique richness to her novels, infusing them with a sense of place and character that sets them apart in the world of Scottish crime fiction.

Beyond her novels, Todd is committed to nurturing the next generation of writers through her involvement in initiatives like Live Literature, which brings author events and residencies to communities across Scotland. Her dedication to the literary community ensures that her legacy will extend far beyond the pages of her books.