Davie was about to leave the MP3 player lying on the pavement when something stopped him. A voice in his head.
You'll regret it if you leave it. You'll only come back for it later.
Can a song change your life?
Can a song bring people, places and moments in time alive again?
Davie Watts is the Trackman. He knows what song to play to you and he knows exactly when you need to hear it. Davie seeks out strangers in need and helps them using the power of music.
In her debut novel, Catriona Child has all the makings of a cult hit... She handles the tension between the fantastical premise and the raw and sensitive matter of a dead schoolboy tastefully, and the book's sense of place makes it a delight for lovers of Edinburgh. - THE HERALD
This tale of loss and isolation is a powerful piece of contemporary Scottish literature that expertly blends fantastical subject matter with a profound look at the destructive effects of bereavement. - THE SKINNY
This is a beautifully crafted book, fluid and rhythmic... Trackman is an inspiring and powerful novel that explores harsh realities with humour. - THE STUDENT
It's a story that will resonate with creative types across Edinburgh and indeed the world. - TEN TRACKS
Catriona Child has a pitch perfect ear for contemporary dialogue and a professional's eye for the detail of a city that the tourists rarely notice. Trackman will be on replay in yourhead for a long time. - NORTHWORDS NOW
Don't let the idea of a fantastical magic mp3 player put you off; this is an incredibly powerful piece of contemporary Scottish literature that expertly weaves the power of music through out what becomes a profound and life affirming tale. - STV LOCAL
Can a song change your life? Can a song bring people,places and moments in time alive again? Set in Edinburgh, this touching, funny and quirky new novel is an entertaining read for music lovers. - SCOTS MAGAZINE
Trackman is a book which understands the power of music, but is one which has an ability to bring comfort to those who need it... - SCOTS WHAY HAE
all the makings of a cult hit... a delight for lovers of Edinburgh. - THE HERALD
Child segues in between past events in Davie's memory and the present day to good effect and there's a real emotional connection between the reader and her protagonist. It's a promising debut. THE WEEK
Catriona Child gained a degree in English from Aberdeen University before completing an MA in creative writing at Lancaster University. She won the Sunday Herald Blog competition and was shortlisted for the National Library of Scotland/The Scotsman Crime short story competition. Catriona has also been published in the magazine Northwords Now and reached the long list for the BBC radio short story broadcast. She has had short stories published in two anthologies of the 5 photo story competition. She now lives and writes in Edinburgh.