Kintyre: Simon McLean on Undercover Policing, Cold Cases, Human Trafficking & Crime Fiction | Glasgow Book Launch 2026

Former undercover police officer and Crime Time Inc host Simon McLean joins fellow author and former Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood for a fascinating discussion at the official launch of his new crime thriller, Kintyre, held at Hillhead Library in Glasgow on 24 May 2026.

Hosted by former Rangers and Scotland footballer Davie McKinnon, the conversation explores the real-life experiences that inspired the novel, including undercover policing, major crime investigations, cold cases, forensic breakthroughs, organised crime, human trafficking and the challenges of writing crime fiction grounded in reality.

Simon discusses how his years in policing influenced the creation of Kintyre's central characters and explains why the story's themes of exploitation, modern slavery and people trafficking remain as relevant today as ever. Tom Wood shares insights from his work on some of Scotland's most notorious murder investigations, including the World's End murders and the pioneering forensic case of Buck Ruxton.

The event also features reflections on Scottish policing, crime investigation, cybercrime, football culture, Paul McCartney, book publishing, and the enduring impact of unsolved and historical crimes on families and communities.

Topics covered include:

• The inspiration behind Kintyre

• Undercover policing and covert operations

• Crime fiction versus real investigations

• Cold cases and modern forensic science

• The World's End murders

• Human trafficking and modern slavery

• Cybercrime and organised crime networks

• Scottish policing then and now

• Football stories from Davie McKinnon's career

• Writing memoirs and crime novels

• Adapting books for television and podcasts

Recorded live at Hillhead Library, Glasgow, on 24 May 2026.

Crime Time Inc is hosted by Simon MacLean and Tom Wood.

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About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

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