127: Zoe Rankin: The Vanishing Place | Bloody Scotland 2026

When Zoe Rankin first joined the podcast, The Vanishing Place hadn't even been published. Fast forward a year and her haunting New Zealand thriller has been shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize, an incredible achievement for a first novel. In this special Bloody Scotland 2026 episode, we chat about everything that's happened since publication, from seeing her novel on bookshop shelves to meeting readers, navigating imposter syndrome, and why receiving congratulations from Ian Rankin felt completely surreal.We also dive back into The Vanishing Place, discussing its unforgettable setting in the remote New Zealand bush, why Zoe describes her books as "nature-centric thrillers", and how the landscape became as important as any of the characters. She shares the inspiration behind the novel, the challenges of writing it, and why Jane Harper's The Dry changed her life forever. There's plenty of Bloody Scotland chat too, including Zoe's excitement about making the journey from New Zealand, the panels she's appearing on, and the events she's most looking forward to attending.Debut Prize PanelFriday 18 September • 3:00pmMurder at the End of the WorldSaturday 19 September • 9:45pmFemmes Fatales featuring Liz Nugent, Harriet Tyce and Andrea MaraJane Harper & Jane CaseyDenise Mina in conversation with Lucy FoleyIf you're heading to Bloody Scotland, don't miss the chance to hear Zoe speak!