Scottish writer William McIlvanney, best known for his detective novel Laidlaw - called the first book of Tartan Noir by some - has died at 79.
His agent Jenny Brown said he died at his home in Glasgow on Saturday after a short illness.
McIlvanney, born in the town of Kilmarnock, was the son of a miner.
He became an English teacher before changing careers in 1975 to write fulltime.
He is known for the Laidlaw trilogy, a crime series featuring Inspector Jack Laidlaw.
Other works included The Big Man, made into a film starring Liam Neeson, as well as poetry and journalism.
Among his fans was Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who tweeted: "His writing meant so much to me when I was growing up. RIP."
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