Writer’s debut novel tells a dark tale of murder

[John Dean]

I am delighted to have played a small part in this book making it into print

Castle Douglas writer David L Haigh has had his first novel published, telling a  tale of murder in a rural community.

Crime novel Land Kill, which has been published by Michael Terence Publishing, tells the story of a former stockbroker turned pheasant farmer, who was the last known person to speak to a murdered Northumbrian poacher.
The book tells the story of the investigation led by DCI Jeff Spencer and his team as they attempt to find the missing links in a chain which they suspect has ties to the former stockbroker’s time in the city.

As violent crimes targeting the game bird farm and its owners increase so arson and murder are followed by a kidnapping.

The inspiration to write Land Kill was a workshop which local crime writer John Dean ran for the Stewartry Writers group, of which David is a member, in Spring 2023. 

David, who came to live in Dumfries and Galloway in 2019, said: “My lifelong passion for gardening has been supplemented with a love for reading and writing since I came to live in Castle Douglas.

“Fellow members of the Stewartry Writers have been a great source of inspiration to me through their poetry and prose as I have written the novel.”

The book, which is available in Kindle and Paperback formats, can be purchased on Amazon at

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Kill-David-L-Haigh-ebook/dp/B0CV4J5FF...