Bad Attitudes

Written by Agnes Owens / Introduction by Jenni Fagan

ISBN: 9781846977022
Published: 03 Sep 2026
Format: Paperback
Extent: 144
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Imprint: Polygon

ABOUT THE BOOK
Bad Attitudes is a wickedly dark tale of Scottish council housing and murder. This novella boasts a missing person, a lethally nosy neighbour, an extra-marital affair, a lusty councillor and a new housing law for tinkers. Who but Agnes Owens could concoct such a delicious brew of dour hilarity.

'Like all Owens' fiction, [Bad Attitudes] is as tense and grimy, ironically, comically deadpan as the best of Evelyn Waugh and Beryl Bainbridge' – Telegraph

'Owens is a gift to the Scots urban world' – The Sunday Times

'Bad Attitudes is a mini-masterpiece - a delicious, wicked, beautifully observed little black comedy' – Independent on Sunday

Published to celebrate Agnes Owens' centenary year in 2026.