A TOP lawyer from Port Glasgow is celebrating the success of his debut novel after it was shortlisted for a national award.

QC Stephen O'Rourke's historical thriller Crown Agent - which includes Greenock as one of its locations - is up for an award at the international Bloody Scotland festival.

The 43-year-old, who juggles the courtroom with writing, set his book just before the abolition of slavery and when the Custom House was the richest such institution in the UK.

Stephen, who grew up in Lilybank, said: "It is such an honour to be shortlisted for an award.

"I am glad people have enjoyed reading the Crown Agent.

"I am always busy writing now at nights and at the weekends.

"It is how I relax."

The Crown Agent, set in 1829, follows the adventures of surgeon Dr Mungo Lyon, who is recruited as a spy.

He is soon on the west coast investigating a mysterious murder and shipwreck, an assignment which takes him to the West Indies.

Stephen says the book is a way to indulge his three passions - writing, history and home.

He said: "I love that period in history.

"It is very topical just now as well.

"Greenock was at the very heart of it all - at that time more money passed through the Custom House in Greenock than anywhere else in the UK."

The public and commercial litigation lawyer built up his writing reputation by penning a column and winning a short story contest.

He now has a publishing deal with the respected Sandstone firm and is writing another two titles in the series.

Although he is now based in Edinburgh he still loves to come home to his dad James and the rest of his family.

He added: "I am missing Inverclyde just now.

"It feels like a long time since I have been there because of the lockdown.

"I can't wait to come home."

Stephen is using royalties from his book to support Tumbling Lassies, a charity he is connected with which campaigns against modern day slavery.

Crown Agent, published by Sandstone Press, is on the shortlist for Bloody Scotland Scottish crime debut of the year along with three other titles Hold Your Tongue by Deborah Masson and See Them Run by Marion Todd and Pine by Fancine Toon.