Allan Guthrie Says I'm Crap

A short post today as I am not home this weekend. (And I've just had a cab ride with the world's scariest taxi-driver). So just a few links this evening. More on Sunday.

"If it's not Scottish, it's crap," says Allan Guthrie (who are you calling crap, Al?)

Crimeficreader reviews M C Beaton's latest Agatha Raisin, THERE GOES THE BRIDE.

The LA Times with an in depth article on Alexander McCall Smith's Macbeth opera-with-baboons.

A rather tepid review of Ian Rankin's DARK ENTRIES comic (still looks good to me though). And author Peter Robinson talks about doing an event with Ian Rankin.

Looking Forward To 2010 - Part 1

I have spent a wee while going through my list of 'Scottish' authors over to the right (and you'll note the inverted commas, since I have sometimes stretched the definition of Scottish to within a nanomillimeter of snapping). By my reckoning, twenty-three of them have books coming out next year. How brilliant is that? I have not included new paperbacks where the hardback is already published.

Over the next week or so I will post a little bit about each of the books. Here are the first six authors. I shall be posting them in alphabetical order, so if anyone spots I have missed any out, please let me know.

Kate Atkinson - STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG
Publisher: Doubleday
Date: June 2010
The title, if I am not mistaken, is from an Emily Dickinson poem. The book is the fourth novel in the bestselling sequence that started with CASE HISTORIES, and featuring former detective Jackson Brodie. Other than that, I can find absolutely nothing about it.

M C Beaton - DEATH OF A VALENTINE
Publisher: Constable and Robinson
Date: January 2010
From Constable and Robinson's website: 'Amazing news is spreading like wildfire across the Scottish countryside: the most famous of all Highland bachelors, police sergeant Hamish Macbeth, is planning to marry at last! Everyone in the village of Lochdubh adores Josie McSween, Hamish's newest constable and blushing bride-to-be. While locals think she is quite a catch, Hamish has a severe case of pre-nuptial jitters...after all, if it wasn't for the recent murder of a beautiful woman in a neighbouring village there wouldn't be a wedding in the first place. For it was a mysterious Valentine's Day card - delivered to the victim before her death - which initially drew Hamish and Josie together in the investigation. And now, as they work side by side, they soon discover that the woman's list of admirers was endless - confirming Hamish's suspicion that love can be deaf, blind ...and deadly.'

Tony Black - LOSS
Publisher: Preface
Date: January 2010
From Random House website: 'Gus Dury is a changed man. He is off the Edinburgh streets and back with estranged wife, Debs. He has promised her that he won't get involved in any more dodgy cases which the police can't or won't solve. And above all, he's off the drink. In his pocket at all times is a half bottle of scotch, but although the label is worn to shreds, he has never so much as loosened the cap. Then his brother Michael is found dead with a bullet in his heart and Gus' life begins to unravel all over again. How can he keep the promises he has made and still avenge his brother's murder? Loss, Tony Black's third novel about washed-up hack turned private investigator Gus Dury, is absolutely gripping - a labyrinth of violence, secrets and emotion. This is a true rollercoaster of a read.' Ooooooh - how wonderful. I'm really looking forward to this one Gus Dury is a fantastic character.

Karen Campbell - FADE TO GREY or possibly SHADOWPLAY
Publisher: Hodder
Date: June 2010
When researching this one, it appears to be referred to under different titles in different places. This is the third in the series featuring Glasgow policewoman Anna Cameron. From Amazon: 'You are a police officer. This is what you do. You speak for the dead, and the desperate living. When Anna Cameron is promoted to Chief Inspector and moved to a new division, it should be a turning point for her. But if she thought having a female boss would make things easier, she'd reckoned without the fearsome 'JC' Hamilton. Then her mother goes into a coma in a foreign country and an old woman disappears from a Glasgow care home under suspicious circumstances, and Anna's career and personal life both threaten to implode. The gang-related murder of a young Asian boy and an assault on one of her officers only serve to turn the screws tighter - can Anna be both a good cop and a good person?' This is another one that I'm really looking forward to after reading her first book earlier this year.

Chris Ewan - THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO LAS VEGAS
Publisher: Pocket Books
Date: April 2010
Isn't 2010 looking brilliant? Needless to say, this one's a must for me. From Amazon: 'During a brief trip to Vegas, Charlie Howard - mystery writer and professional thief - is nonplussed to find his agent, Victoria, being charmed by a stage illusionist at a high stakes roulette table. It doesn't help that the illusionist, Josh Masters, has invited Victoria to his sell-out show, nor that he seems to be doing very well at roulette. Still, Charlie's not one to hold a grudge, least of all when he could be holding Masters' wallet. Breaking into the conjurer's hotel room and making off with a pile of casino chips would seem to be adequate compensation. Matters are complicated however when Charlie discovers the trussed-up corpse of Masters' beautiful assistant lying in the bath. When Masters disappears and Charlie is caught with his stolen haul of high denomination chips, his problems have only just begun. Ordered to reimburse the casino for every dollar Masters made off with, it seems to Charlie there's only one way out: break into as many hotel rooms as he can, steal as much as he is able to, and just hope that Victoria can summon lady luck to the gaming table of her choice.' Excellent. Can't wait (although I guess I will have to).

Helen FitzGerald - HOT FLUSH
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Date: Autumn 2010

Part of Barrington Stoke's 'Most Wanted' series for adult reluctant readers (they also published Allan Guthrie's KILL CLOCK and Stuart MacBride's SAWBONES. From Helen's website: 'Menopausal Probation Officer Eileen has never taken any risks. Unlike her car thieving client, Jim, she's boring and inconsequential. Boring, that is, until a hot flush induced epiphany causes her to steal a pair of jeans at lunch time, spiralling her into the world of her client. A world that is a lot more fun.' Oh, doesn't that sound brilliant? My cup runneth over.

Helen FitzGerald - AMELIA O'DONOHUE IS SO NOT A VIRGIN
Publisher: Source Books
Date: Autumn 2010
Teen fiction, and only loosely crime fiction. From the PR company: 'What do you do if you find a new-born baby in the cupboard in the school sick bay? Does it belong to one of the other students, or could it be one of the nuns? Some pretty funny things happen under those habits...Helen FitzGerald's first Young Adult novel tackles sex, lies and disguised pregnancy head-on in a fast, funny and scary ride through late adolescence.'

R Is For...

It's been a long time since I've done an alphabet post, so time to pick them up again. OK, and there's one Q too...

Quintin Jardine - Jardine is the author of the Skinner series (in which there are currently 18 books with a 19th on the way) featuring Edinburgh policeman Bob Skinner, and the Blackstone series (9 books in that one) featuring movie actor/private enquiry agent Oz Blackstone. There's also a book featuring Oz' wife Primavera. "This gritty, fast-paced mystery will pin even the most squeamish reader to the page" - Publishers Weekly (about Thursday Legends).

Ray Banks - Ray Banks has been on my "wow, this writer is excellent" list since I read his first book THE BIG BLIND a few years ago. A great first novel about a man who makes some bad decisions. Following on from that he has published four books in the Manchester based Cal Innes series - each of them is better than the last. Cal is a sort of PI, a man usually in great turmoil and with many flaws, but great heart. Fierce, harsh, stylish and great wit and humour, despite the darkness. If a series could be classed as noir (which, by my definition of noir, it can't) this one would be the one. "Banks is part of the post-Rankin generation for whom hardboiled is not just a state of mind but a reality. Tough-guy colloquial prose and a pace fast enough to skin a rabbit, at the service of a tale of down-and-dirty realism: this is fiery stuff." - The Guardian.

Reg McKay - Primarily a writer of true crime (some in collaboration with various Glasgow gangsters...sorry, EX-gangsters, tales of gangland bosses, killers and...errrr...footballers, Reg McKay also wrote two novels. One of his novels, DANCING WITH DEATH, is a fictionalised account of Glasgow's most notorious serial killer, Bible John. Sadly, Reg McKay died of cancer last month."Villains is another success for this writing team and I recommend it to fellow readers who lap up these racy, psychology-free, true crime confessions." - Books From Scotland

Robert Louis Stevenson - no explanation necessary, methinks.

Ross Robertson - Ross Robertson's debut novel A YEARNING FOR JACOB'S SON is a political thriller set in Scotland and involving "high-powered leaders of industry, a Washington based private equity firm, the Security Services, the aristocracy and an ancient Masonic brotherhood." Sorry - I can't find any reviews for this one.

Russel D McLean - Dundee PI McNee features in Russel's two books - THE GOOD SON and THE LOST SISTER. The writing is atmospheric, sparse and tight, whilst losing nothing of character development or plotting. McNee is a fascinating character, and the plots are gripping, original and dark, but shot through with a mordant Scottish humour. Wonderful stuff. "THE GOOD SON is the most exciting, and gripping, Scottish crime fiction debut of recent years. Stylish and atmospheric, it marks the arrival of a exceptional talent." John Connolly

Reviews By MPs and Innocent Bystanders

Innocent Bystander reviews Chris Ewan's GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO AMSTERDAM calling it "a refreshing burst of fresh air." And it is, indeed.

Labour MEP Mary Honeyball says that Ian Rankin's THE COMPLAINTS is "an absolute must of a book", while the Toronto Star has an interesting article comparing Fox to Rebus.

The Scotsman reports on the Lennoxlove Book Festival.

The Hindu looks at Arthur Conan Doyle's real life inspirations. Whilst Warner Brothers and VisitBritain join forces to to "invite tourists to discover Sherlock Holmes' Britain - Past and Present." Although I'm not sure Sherlock Holmes ever stayed at a Radisson.

Some Well-Deserved Good Words

A rather spiffing review of Helen FitzGerald's BLOODY WOMEN which says, in part "So this novel has it all – thriller, drama, whodunit, comedy, great characters and good humour."

And Brian over at BSC Review reviews Allan Guthrie's SLAMMER, saying "When we speak of those on the forefront of dark fiction; those whose work scares people at a fundamental level; and those whose work we are hard pressed to try to define and pigeon hole, but can’t, Guthrie’s name is near the top of the list, and Slammer proves why." Niiiiiiiiiiiice.

And more reviews - Alexander McCall Smith's THE LOST ART OF GRATITUDE in the Winston-Salem Journal and Iain Banks TRANSITION at Cultural Pilgrim.

In other news - Tony Black - one of my favourite authors - on one of his big influences, (another favourite of mine) Ken Bruen over at the always excellent blog of Paul Brazill. "It wasn't, for me, the story, - not the story alone, anyway - but the sheer power of the writing. It was like being engulfed by a tsunami of talent - a writer with so many skills that the pages, every one of them, contained moments of breathtaking beauty, flights of linguistic gymnastics and...real heart." Totally agree Tony old fruit.

Ian Rankin chooses his 'best books'.

Russel McLean and GJ Moffatt in pictures.

Dodgy Tummies and Saucy Slippers

Well, what a lovely weekend. First of all Friday spent with the gorgeous (on all levels) Christa Faust. The day included a bus tour on an open-topped bus (Glasgow, November - need I say more?), a trip to Glasgow's wonderful Necropolis, the weirdest and least scary horror exhibition in the world (I am probably the only person who has ever screamed there, and that's only because Christa came up behind me when I wasn't expecting it). The scariest thing about it was that it was located in a street the taxi driver didn't want to go down - we practically had to jump out of the taxi while he was still driving.

And I really wasn't trying to get my own back on Christa for making me walk 40 miles in Indianapolis in high heels. There was also an evening of good friends (big hugs to Christa, Charles, Kieran and Ewan), great chat, and good food.

Christa, sadly, was not able to appreciate the food as she was feeling slightly dodgy following a vegetarian meal the night before with the World's Most Dangerous Vegetarian, Allan Guthrie.

I always knew lettuce was bad for you. Christa should have stuck to deep fried pizza and haggis. As the pharmacist said when we went into Boots The Chemist to get her some medicine "Remember, Edinburgh made you sick, Glasgow made you better." Ah, Scotland's east/west rivalry is a marvellous thing.

Christa was a real trouper. She was great company and great fun despite feeling really rough.

And Christa knows me too well. This was her gift to me. Delicious.

Then last night we went to see the film Up which was wonderful. Funny, touching and totally delightful.

And now, a wee round up of some Scottish crime fiction news.

First of all, the Telegraph rounds up the 100 books which have defined the noughties (for better or worse), including a fair smattering of crime fiction and a couple of Scots.

Sherlock Holmes movie blog launched.

A review of Sue Walker's THE BURNING in Bookmunch.

A catch up of Alexander McCall Smith's 44 SCOTLAND STREET in The Scotsman (for Barbara).

Iain Banks on the question of legalising drugs.

And finally, to celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson's birthday, an online archive of all his works, plus "extracts of little-known poetry, letters, rarely seen family photographs and his observations on friends, family and favourite authors."

Review - BLOODY WOMEN - Helen FitzGerald

BLOODY WOMEN - Helen FitzGerald
Publisher: Polygon
Published: October 2009

First Lines: "I just need you to say if this is him," the man in the white coat said, lifting the sheet that covered the lump beneath.

I looked down at the metal bench.

"Take your time," the man said, which I was already doing. I looked long and hard, holding back the tears, moving my head left to right, closer, further away, and then said, "Yes, that's Ahmed."

When Catriona Marsden is called in to identify an ex-boyfriend's severed penis, her reaction is to giggle. Needless to say, that does not look good, and she's promptly arrested for the murder of not one, but three ex-boyfriends. As she puts it "I was no longer viewed as the bereaved ex-lover of three men, but was accused of shagging, mutilating and murdering them, not necessarily in that order." And that takes us to the top of page two of this very dark, very funny book.

Cat is getting married and, like most brides, she has the pre-wedding jitters. However, unlike most brides, she decides that the way to put those jitters to bed is to meet up with each of her ex-boyfriends, and sleep with them. So now she's in jail, and the woman who is writing her biography has...well...she's put her own particular spin on things. And that looks as though it could send Cat over the edge.

BLOODY WOMEN is delicious, ingenious, inventive and mordantly funny. Helen FitzGerald has a real skill for making the totally absurd and goofy, thoroughly logical and reasonable. She serves up plot twists and severed penises (penii?) alike with the same relish and glee as Bette Davis serving Joan Crawford a rat on a silver salver in Whatever Happened To Baby Jane.

This is a book where at any given moment you think you know what's happening, but do you really? Helen FitzGerald amuses, entertains, enthralls and shocks in equal measure. She manages to make the reader care about characters who are, on the surface, pretty unlikeable. Excellent stuff. Warped, funny, and very well told.

Having now read a couple of her books, Helen Fitzgerald has firmly claimed a place on my list of favourite authors.