Craig Russell, who also writes under the name Christopher Galt, is a Scottish novelist recognized for his crime fiction, particularly the Jan Fabel series set in Hamburg. These books, translated into numerous languages, frequently weave historical or mythological elements into their narratives. Russell's work has garnered significant critical attention and awards, including the CWA Dagger in the Library and the Scottish Crime Novel of the Year.

His writing career began with the Jan Fabel series, featuring a half-Scottish, half-German detective who was himself a former historian. Russell has also penned standalone novels, such as 'The Devil Aspect,' which explored Gothic thriller elements and was published in the US with film rights acquired by Columbia Pictures/Sony. The novel 'Biblical,' released under his pseudonym Christopher Galt, was later reissued as 'The Third Testament.' Several of his novels have been adapted for television in Germany.

Craig Russell's contributions to crime fiction have been widely acknowledged through various accolades. In 2007, he received the unique Polizeistern (Police Star) from the Hamburg Police, an honor typically reserved for German citizens. He was also a finalist for the CWA Gold Dagger and the SNCF Prix Polar Award in the same year. Russell achieved a significant milestone by winning the 2008 CWA Dagger in the Library. Further recognition came in 2015 when his novel 'The Ghosts of Altona' was named Scottish Crime Novel of the Year. He secured the McIlvanney Prize twice, first in 2021 for his novel 'Hyde,' making him the first author in the prize's history to achieve this distinction.

Russell's novels, notably 'The Devil Aspect' and the Jan Fabel series, are characterized by their integration of historical and mythological themes, providing a rich backdrop for his crime narratives. His expertise in post-war German history, coupled with his fluency in German, informs the settings and plots of his Hamburg-based stories. In 2014, Russell utilized the pseudonym Christopher Galt to write the novel 'Biblical,' which was later published in paperback under the title 'The Third Testament' in 2015. This dual authorship highlights a facet of his creative output that explores different thematic or stylistic avenues.