Allan Massie

Although in some respects they seem to hark back to a bygone age, in terms of their sexual politics the novels of Alexander McCall Smith could hardly be more contemporary, writes Allan Massie

Our need for a strong voice is evident - but now rugby in this country has a whisper

Nothing moves quickly in the gloomy town of Saint-Louis in Alsace, but local police chief Georges Gorski has a mystery to solve all the same, writes Allan Massie

Confidence and defensive issues need to be ironed out by our pro teams

This novel shows Malachy Tallack to be a worthy heir to the likes of Edwin Muir and George Mackay Brown, writes Allan Massie

This account of the Great Arizona Mine Strike of 1983 is passionate, committed and often very moving, but it never seems to have much interest in attempting to offer a balanced picture, writes Allan Massie

Lots of talking points after Townsend’s 45 men were unveiled for autumn matches

If Denzil Meyrick’s bumbling sleuth Frank Grasby can keep up his recent rib-tickling form, a Grasby for Christmas will soon become as welcome as a Christie for Christmas used to be, writes Allan Massie

Townsend has gone big ahead of South Africa clash next week

Chris Hoy’s memoir is a story of how to look disaster in the face and still carry on, writes Allan Massie