Midlothian author releases third book in gritty Edinburgh-based gangster trilogy about local "anti-hero"

A Midlothian author has released the third book in an Edinburgh-based trilogy following the life of a ‘lovable rogue’ city gangster.

Midlothian writer Colin Burnett has released 'Family Man - The Third Book of Aldo'. | Submitted

Colin Burnett from Bonnyrigg is excited to bring ‘Aldo’ back for another adventure in ‘Family Man - The Third Book of Aldo’, following Burnett’s first two critically acclaimed works ‘Working Class State of Mind’ and ‘Who’s Aldo?’

Complex anti-hero, Aldo, is the de facto head of Edinburgh’s most powerful crime family. But being a crime boss isn’t what it used to be. Not only does Aldo need to balance his duties running his crew of killers and psychotic hitmen, but he also needs to hope and pray that one or two secrets stay dead and buried.

As rival criminal organisations start threatening his authority on the Scottish capital’s streets, Aldo is tested like never before.

Colin Burnett's books are written in East coast Scots, much like his favourite writer Irvine Welsh, with his work often compared to the Trainspotting author. | Submitted

Burnett, who writes predominately in Scots like his hero Irvine Welsh, admitted that the latest release is darker than his previous two outings with Aldo, as he begins to turn the character more into his TV gangster hero Tony Soprano.

He said: “I think I’m most proud of this book. It’s my best writing. And it gave me the chance to explore the darker side of Aldo. I’m really pleased with it.

“I have always wanted to write about gangsters in Edinburgh. Any Scottish gangster story/ TV show/ film tends to be set in Glasgow. I’ve basically written a Scottish version of the Sopranos, my favourite TV show.

“So I really tried to make an Edinburgh version of that. There are definitely similarities between Aldo and Tony Soprano.

“This book is a lot darker than the first two. But there are still lots of laugh. People who have read the book already, have been in touch to say how much they loved the comedy in Family Man.

“There is also a lot more tension in this one. It’s a lot more unpredictable, and hopefully it keeps the reader hooked and wanting more.

“I wasn’t sure readers would respond to it being darker, but it has went down very well. I just want this book to do as well as possible, and for lots of people enjoy it. The response so far, under a week since it was release, has been really great.”

The Midlothian writer admits that the third instalment in the Aldo series is much darker and his favourite book so far. | Submitted

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Speaking more about his central anti-hero, Burnett revealed that people seem to love reading about the Edinburgh gangster’s exploits.

He said: “Aldo has proven to be a very popular character with the people that read my books. He doesn't on the face of it strike you as a character that people would like, but he’s a lovable rogue really, and at the end of the day he is a family man.

“He sticks up for people who are less well off and perhaps getting bullied for example, the little man or underdog. As much as he is a bit of a psycho and obviously a hardened gangster, he does have a moral compass.

“There is a chapter in there about the rise of the far-right in the UK, which was important for me to include, and people have commented on how that was a nice and very relevant thing to add. I felt I couldn’t not mention it given Aldo is Scottish-Asian.”

Family Man: The Third Book of Aldo, is out now, available to buy for £11.99 from Amazon.