'One of the finest Scottish crime writers of his generation': Denzil Meyrick dies aged 59

The trade has paid tribute to the “true storyteller” author Denzil Meyrick who has died at the age of 59.

Best known as the author of the DCI Daley novels set in Glasgow and the fictional close-knit community of Kinloch, the Meyrick died on Friday (14th February) at his home in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

Most recently published by Transworld, Meyrick wrote over 20 novels, including Waterstones Thriller of the Month pick Murder at Holly House and The Christmas Stocking Murders – all published by Transworld.

His agent Jo Bell at Bell Lomax Moreton, said: “Denzil was a character like no other, a true storyteller and a wonderful husband to Fiona and friend to so many. Denzil, we will miss you.”

Finn Cotton, editorial director at Transworld, said: “I had the honour of working with Denzil on four of his most recent books. It was one of the most rewarding and enjoyable editorial partnerships of my career. I will miss him enormously, as a colleague, but also as a friend. Everyone at Transworld loved working with him, and we feel incredibly proud to have published him.”

He brought the DCI Daley novels to the Scottish publisher Birlinn Ltd in 2014 and published 11 books through its Polygon imprint in that series alone before moving new work to Transworld.

Birlinn called him “one of the finest Scottish crime writers of his generation”. The publisher added: “Denzil was known for the skill with which he pinned to the page the reality of life on the streets of Glasgow along with the issues of the small rural communities of Scotland, a talent which caught the attention of a wide reading public across the UK and well beyond. 

“With his characteristic humour, unwavering determination and his dry personality, Denzil was west of Scotland through and through, and he created unforgettable detective and criminal characters. The creation of DCI Daley (and his trusty sidekick DS Scott), first encountered as a young police officer pounding the beat in Glasgow and followed across years in Kintyre and the community of Kinloch – years which were not always kind to him –  is surely his greatest achievement.” 

Birlinn said: “Denzil – along with his characters – will always be remembered as a friend to the Birlinn team. He was a one-off. We were lucky to know him and our thoughts go out to his wife, Fiona.” 

Meyrick was born in Glasgow on 28th November 1965 and brought up in Campbeltown. After studying politics, he spent time as a police officer, freelance journalist and director of several companies before becoming an author.