Three darkly comic Scottish ghost mysteries, one extraordinary university, and a rather unsettling question: What happens when somebody starts stealing ghosts?

Ghosts have been haunting fiction for centuries.

They rattle chains in ancient castles, wander the corridors of abandoned mansions, and appear at the foot of beds when their presence is least welcome. We've encountered them in countless stories, films and television programmes.

But I've always thought there was room for something a little different.

What if ghosts weren't simply haunting the living?

What if somebody was stealing them?

That question became the foundation of The Highlands University of Ghostology, a trilogy of Scottish Gothic ghost mysteries that has given me an enormous amount of pleasure to write.

And now, for the first time, all three novels are coming together in one complete collection.

The Highlands University of Ghostology – The Complete Trilogy is scheduled for release on 5 January 2027, in ebook, paperback and hardcover editions.

A University Unlike Any Other

Imagine a university hidden in the Scottish Highlands, dedicated to the study of ghosts.

Now imagine discovering that the institution is rather more complicated than its respectable academic appearance suggests.

Retired detective and author Coby McTavish finds himself accepting a teaching position at the Highlands University of Ghostology, where the mysteries are anything but academic.

Ghosts are disappearing across Britain.

Somebody is taking them.

And beneath the university, thirteen floors underground, secrets are waiting to be discovered.

I loved the possibilities this premise opened up.

After all, if ghosts exist, why shouldn't somebody want to collect them? And what sort of person would decide that stealing the dead was a perfectly reasonable enterprise?

It gave me the opportunity to explore a supernatural world with its own peculiar rules, eccentric inhabitants and increasingly dangerous mysteries.

And, perhaps most importantly, it gave me plenty of opportunities to laugh.

Ghost Stories Don't Always Have to Be Grim

I enjoy Gothic fiction. I love its atmosphere, its mysteries, its old buildings and the sense that something extraordinary might be waiting around the next corner.

But I also enjoy humour.

And I've never believed the two should be mutually exclusive.

Throughout this trilogy, Coby encounters circumstances that would test the patience of a saint, never mind a retired detective hoping for a relatively peaceful existence.

There are supernatural conspiracies, Tudor secrets, extraordinary companions and a growing collection of situations that nobody in their right mind would consider normal.

Among the characters and curiosities are a skeleton wearing Ray-Bans, a straw dummy with a secret, and Coby's wife, Gracie, who knows precisely when to address her husband by his full name.

That last detail should tell you something about the sort of trouble he gets himself into.

The humour isn't there to undermine the mysteries. It's part of the characters' humanity.

Even when the circumstances become frightening, people still argue, misunderstand one another, make questionable decisions and occasionally say something wonderfully inappropriate.

I wanted these stories to have heart as well as atmosphere.

And I wanted readers to enjoy spending time with the characters.

Three Novels, One Extraordinary Adventure

The complete collection brings together three interconnected Scottish ghost mysteries.

The Highlands University of Ghostology

The adventure begins when Coby McTavish accepts a teaching position at a most unusual Scottish university.

Britain's ghosts are disappearing, and the university holds secrets that could explain why.

What begins as an unexpected academic appointment becomes an investigation into something far more sinister.

The Silent Choir

The mysteries deepen as music, history and the supernatural become entangled.

A Tudor composer, an extraordinary musical secret and the lingering influence of the past draw Coby into another adventure.

Some voices, it seems, refuse to remain silent.

The Ancient Lie

The trilogy reaches its conclusion with a mystery that stretches back into Tudor history.

A king who has been dead for five centuries wants back the queen he executed.

From the Scottish Highlands to Paris and Hampton Court Palace, the stakes become increasingly personal as Coby confronts the consequences of secrets that have survived for centuries.

Together, the three novels tell a larger story about the supernatural, loyalty, family, love and the strange ways the past refuses to leave us alone.

The Pleasure of Writing These Stories

One of the greatest rewards of writing fiction is discovering that you're enjoying the journey as much as you hope your readers will.

That was certainly true of this trilogy.

I had enormous fun writing these books.

The premise gave me the freedom to combine Scottish Gothic atmosphere with historical intrigue, supernatural mysteries and the kind of British humour I've always enjoyed.

And there were moments when the characters seemed determined to take matters into their own hands.

That's one of the peculiar pleasures of writing a series. As the characters become familiar, their personalities begin to shape the stories in unexpected ways.

Coby, in particular, has a remarkable talent for finding himself in situations that are considerably more complicated than he anticipated.

Fortunately, Gracie is usually there to remind him that common sense remains an option.

Whether he listens is another matter entirely.

When Readers Find the Humour Refreshing

The early reviews and reader feedback have been especially encouraging.

Readers have responded positively to the characters, the mysteries and, particularly, the humour woven through the stories.

That has meant a great deal to me.

When I began writing these adventures, I hoped readers would appreciate a slightly different approach to supernatural fiction.

I wanted the mysteries to be intriguing, the atmosphere to be suitably Gothic, and the characters to feel like people worth getting to know.

But I also wanted readers to smile.

Hearing that the humour has been refreshing is particularly rewarding, because it confirms that the combination I enjoyed writing has also resonated with readers.

Ghost stories can be frightening.

They can be mysterious, melancholy and deeply unsettling.

But sometimes, even the dead deserve a little laughter.

A Complete Scottish Gothic Trilogy for Your Bookshelf

With all three novels collected in one edition, readers can follow the entire adventure from beginning to end.

And because I wanted to offer different ways to enjoy the collection, The Highlands University of Ghostology – The Complete Trilogy will be available in three formats:

• Ebook: For readers who enjoy carrying an entire supernatural adventure on their favourite reading device.
• Paperback: A traditional 6 × 9-inch edition for those who love the feel of a printed novel.
• Hardcover: A generous 8.25 × 11-inch edition for readers who enjoy a substantial book on their shelves.

I'm particularly pleased with the cover.

I wanted it to capture the atmosphere of the trilogy: the mysterious Scottish setting, the Gothic architecture, the moonlit darkness and the suggestion that something extraordinary is waiting beyond the gates.

Seeing all three stories brought together beneath that cover has been a wonderful moment.

A Christmas Gift for Someone Who Loves Ghost Stories?

Although the complete trilogy is scheduled for release on 5 January 2027, the festive season is a lovely time to discover something new to read in the coming year.

If you know somebody who enjoys Scottish ghost stories, Gothic mysteries, supernatural suspense, historical secrets and a generous helping of British humour, this collection might be worth adding to their reading wishlist.

The paperback and hardcover editions may be particularly appealing to readers who love collecting physical books.

And for those who prefer digital reading, the ebook offers the entire trilogy in one collection.

Because the release falls just after Christmas, it's best thought of as a forthcoming gift or a New Year reading treat, subject to retailer availability.

Why I Hope You'll Visit the Highlands University of Ghostology

There are countless stories about haunted houses, restless spirits and mysterious apparitions.

I wanted to write something that approached the supernatural from a different direction.

A university devoted to ghosts.

An epidemic of disappearing spirits.

A retired detective who finds himself teaching the subject.

And somewhere behind it all, people who believe the dead are worth stealing.

It's an unusual premise, certainly.

But sometimes the most enjoyable stories begin with the strangest questions.

I had tremendous fun writing this trilogy, and I hope readers will have just as much fun discovering it.

The Highlands University of Ghostology – The Complete Trilogy arrives on 5 January 2027.

Three Scottish Gothic ghost mysteries. One complete adventure. And rather more British humour than the dead might reasonably expect.

Attendance is compulsory, even after death.

Discover the complete trilogy and find your preferred retailer:

https://iwanross.com/books/the-highlands-university-of-ghostology-the-complete-trilogy

Iwan Ross writes Scottish Gothic ghost mysteries and supernatural suspense, often with a touch of British humour.