I thought this track from The Dead Kennedys was apt, since I believe it is Her Maj's favourite punk song. I appear to have been invited to a Royal Garden Party. Thinking fast, I said I would only go if my Mum wanted to go. Since, apparently "Scotland's too far to come and visit you now I'm 80, our Donna", I thought I would be safe. How wrong I was. Apparently, Scotland is now a mere sparrow's fart away. Her only worry is that she now has to find a fascinator. And now I, too, am left with the terrible dilemma of finding a fascinator that matches my Docs.
My Mum now has the other residents of the retirement community curtseying to her when they meet in the hallways. And then there's my poor Dad...I said to Mum that she needed photographic ID to get into the Palace, and no, that her pension book wasn't enough. "What about your passport?" I said.
"I think my passport's out of date since my ankles are too big to fly, these days," (don't ask).
I heard my Dad in the background "My passport's in the kitchen drawer."
"We don't care about your passport, Patrick," came the scathing response. "Who is it that's going to the Royal Garden Party?" Silence. "Who, Patrick, who?"
"You, dear."
"That's right. So, what don't we care about?"
"My passport, dear."
"Exactly."
I have created a monster. A monster who is now on the hunt for a fascinator.
Irvine Welsh's ECSTASY is screened in London on February 9th.
A review of Val McDermid's THE RETRIBUTION.
Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD on ABC Radio National. And Mr Rankin himself on his best story ever.
Gordon Ferris' THE HANGING SHED has, apparently, sold 150,000 e-copies.
Alexander McCall Smith to appear at Scotland's most remote literary festival.
An interview with Michael Malone.
A set of first editions by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is discovered in a charity shop.
Denise Mina wonders if sentiment is the new taboo.
For my latest blog post over at Blasted Heath, the talented Smudge doctors a poster for Nightmare Alley to make me look almost attractive. Well, from the neck down, anyway.
Tomorrow, it's the last proper day of lectures on my course before I start on my placement, and then I'm off to Allan Guthrie's event at Strathclyde University before going out to dinner with lovely pals Tony Black, Michael Malone and Kieran G. I'm planning to get them drunk so they will tell me all their secrets. I will, of course, share those secrets with you, dear Reader.
Showing posts with label Blasted Heath.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blasted Heath.. Show all posts
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Friday, 27 January 2012
Wilder, Wilder. Faster, Faster.
A lesser known Cramps song today. Incidentally, I teach a creative writing class and this week I did an exercise using songs. I started them off with some Flaming Stars (to lull them into a false sense of security) moved through Killing Joke, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, and The Clash and finished up with this one from The Cramps. I think they were a bit puzzled by The Cramps. It was great fun.
Len Wanner, author of an excellent book of interviews with Scottish crime fiction authors, will be interviewing Tony Black in person on Saturday 4th February in Dalkeith. Also on 4th February, Stuart MacBride will be at the University of Dundee. And you can go to the screening of Irvine Welsh's ECSTASY and the after-party on February 18th, if you are so inclined.
And a reminder of an event on Monday - Allan Guthrie at the University of Strathclyde. See you there if you're going.
Those lovely chaps at Blasted Heath would like to serve you some #broth.
Crime Fiction Lover on comedy and crime, and recommends Chris Ewan.
Helen Fitzgerald's yummy new book cover.
Nigel Bird is featured in the East Lothian Courier.
Val McDermid on method and madness.
Douglas Lindsay does not want to be an astronaut. Which is a relief, really.
A crime writing MA? I'd sign up, if only to be taught by the rather excellent Martyn Waites.
Finally, a man plans a murder, with the intention of pinning it on the cat.
Len Wanner, author of an excellent book of interviews with Scottish crime fiction authors, will be interviewing Tony Black in person on Saturday 4th February in Dalkeith. Also on 4th February, Stuart MacBride will be at the University of Dundee. And you can go to the screening of Irvine Welsh's ECSTASY and the after-party on February 18th, if you are so inclined.
And a reminder of an event on Monday - Allan Guthrie at the University of Strathclyde. See you there if you're going.
Those lovely chaps at Blasted Heath would like to serve you some #broth.
Crime Fiction Lover on comedy and crime, and recommends Chris Ewan.
Helen Fitzgerald's yummy new book cover.
Nigel Bird is featured in the East Lothian Courier.
Val McDermid on method and madness.
Douglas Lindsay does not want to be an astronaut. Which is a relief, really.
A crime writing MA? I'd sign up, if only to be taught by the rather excellent Martyn Waites.
Finally, a man plans a murder, with the intention of pinning it on the cat.
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
The Bats Have Left The Bell Tower
Alexander McCall Smith on the etiquette of regifting. Of course, there is another alternative. I volunteer for a UK telephone helpline charity and if you got any unwanted gifts, or you have any books - signed or otherwise - that are looking for a good home, I'm helping to organise the annual conference in February, and those would make smashing raffle prizes, so please feel free to re-gift them my way and I will love you forever :o)
And now, we need to talk about Kevin... I haven't read any fiction since I started my Masters Degree in September but, coming back from my Mum and Dad's in the wilds of Mordor after Christmas, I fired up my Kindle and got stuck into K J Wignall (aka Lord Kevin of Wignall)'s BLOOD. It's not crime fiction (although there are crimes in it). It's Young Adult vampire fiction. No - definitely not my usual fare, but Kevin Wignall is one of my favourite writers (who deserves to be far better known than he is) so, since it's been far too long since he had some crime fiction out in English (come on publishers, am I really going to have to learn Finnish to read DARK FLAG? Sinun täytyy olla pilaa (that might be Finnish for 'you've got to be kidding'. Since I got it from an internet translation thingy, it is equally likely to mean 'I've just eaten your grandma's bullfrog')).
Anyway, back to vampires. My last (and probably only) enjoyable encounter with a vampire was with the brilliant Bela Lugosi's Dead by the equally brilliant Bauhaus. My least enjoyable encounter was with that self same Bela Lugosi's 1931 Dracula. I was 13 and babysitting for the Bysouths, who lived down the road. It was nearing midnight and I foolishly turned the TV over, only to discover Bela Lugosi saying "I bid you welcome." I was petrified. I had to phone my mum to get her to come and finish babysitting with me. She was not happy. When she arrived, I didn't
know whether to be more scared of her, or the creak of Dracula's coffin opening.
So...BLOOD. It's bloody brilliant. I'll do a proper review in January, but just in case you're looking for something a bit different, I thought I'd mention it as I absolutely loved it. It was totally captivating. Not your stereotypical vampire story - far from it, in fact. Great characters (I felt very sad for Will - the main character, who's been 16 for the last 750 years. There are also some wonderful wee snippets about how he got to where he is today, and the plot was deliciously twisty and turny. And it was as creepy as hell.
And now, on to Scottish crime fiction.
Our Michael Malone picks his top crime reads of 2011, including Tony Black's excellent TRUTH LIES BLEEDING. And the lovely Julie Morrigan interviews Tony (and look at that lovely snippet of news about a Blasted Heath publication).
Oooooh, doesn't the cover for Russel McLean's next book, FATHER CONFESSOR, look good?
Sherlock Holmes under investigation.
McDroll at I Meant To Read That loved Ray Banks' DEAD MONEY.
The Spectator reviews the Alexander McCall Smith writing machine.
James McAvoy talks about Irvine Welsh's FILTH.
Here's my latest Blasted Blog column at Blasted Heath.
This will probably be my last blog post until 2nd or 3rd of January as I will be partying Hogmanay away in the Lake District, so thanks everyone for being so supportive, and I hope that next year will be a brilliant year for all of you. And here's hoping that I get to hug at least some of you in 2012.
And now, we need to talk about Kevin... I haven't read any fiction since I started my Masters Degree in September but, coming back from my Mum and Dad's in the wilds of Mordor after Christmas, I fired up my Kindle and got stuck into K J Wignall (aka Lord Kevin of Wignall)'s BLOOD. It's not crime fiction (although there are crimes in it). It's Young Adult vampire fiction. No - definitely not my usual fare, but Kevin Wignall is one of my favourite writers (who deserves to be far better known than he is) so, since it's been far too long since he had some crime fiction out in English (come on publishers, am I really going to have to learn Finnish to read DARK FLAG? Sinun täytyy olla pilaa (that might be Finnish for 'you've got to be kidding'. Since I got it from an internet translation thingy, it is equally likely to mean 'I've just eaten your grandma's bullfrog')).
Anyway, back to vampires. My last (and probably only) enjoyable encounter with a vampire was with the brilliant Bela Lugosi's Dead by the equally brilliant Bauhaus. My least enjoyable encounter was with that self same Bela Lugosi's 1931 Dracula. I was 13 and babysitting for the Bysouths, who lived down the road. It was nearing midnight and I foolishly turned the TV over, only to discover Bela Lugosi saying "I bid you welcome." I was petrified. I had to phone my mum to get her to come and finish babysitting with me. She was not happy. When she arrived, I didn't
know whether to be more scared of her, or the creak of Dracula's coffin opening.
So...BLOOD. It's bloody brilliant. I'll do a proper review in January, but just in case you're looking for something a bit different, I thought I'd mention it as I absolutely loved it. It was totally captivating. Not your stereotypical vampire story - far from it, in fact. Great characters (I felt very sad for Will - the main character, who's been 16 for the last 750 years. There are also some wonderful wee snippets about how he got to where he is today, and the plot was deliciously twisty and turny. And it was as creepy as hell.
And now, on to Scottish crime fiction.
Our Michael Malone picks his top crime reads of 2011, including Tony Black's excellent TRUTH LIES BLEEDING. And the lovely Julie Morrigan interviews Tony (and look at that lovely snippet of news about a Blasted Heath publication).
Oooooh, doesn't the cover for Russel McLean's next book, FATHER CONFESSOR, look good?
Sherlock Holmes under investigation.
McDroll at I Meant To Read That loved Ray Banks' DEAD MONEY.
The Spectator reviews the Alexander McCall Smith writing machine.
James McAvoy talks about Irvine Welsh's FILTH.
Here's my latest Blasted Blog column at Blasted Heath.
This will probably be my last blog post until 2nd or 3rd of January as I will be partying Hogmanay away in the Lake District, so thanks everyone for being so supportive, and I hope that next year will be a brilliant year for all of you. And here's hoping that I get to hug at least some of you in 2012.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Badass Bug
Today's Cramps title.
Win free ebooks for a year from those lovely people at Blasted Heath. And congratulations to Blasted Heath co-genius Allan Guthrie who will have a story in the Sunday Mail on 1st January, called (probably) HILDA'S BIG DAY OUT. Well done, Al. Brilliant news. Although...my mum reads the Mail. I'm not sure she's ready for one of your stories...
A review of Kate Atkinson's CASE HISTORIES. And one for STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG. Denise Mina's A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY is reviewed here, and a couple of reviews of Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD.
Three books loved by Ian Rankin.
Mysteries in Paradise reviews Peter May's THE BLACK HOUSE. And Peter May's very first short story about Ian The Elf, written when he was 4 years old. Awwww, bless.
The Irish Independent with what's likely to be hot next year.
Maxine at Petrona on Karen Campbell (also mentioning Denise Mina and Aline Templeton).
NPR on the enduring popularity of Sherlock Holmes. And a review of A GAME OF SHADOWS.
The latest Scottish delicacy - deep fried butter. I feel quite ill.
And, finally, I thought we'd seen the last of those lovely paper sculptures but here's a video of a final (?) one.
Win free ebooks for a year from those lovely people at Blasted Heath. And congratulations to Blasted Heath co-genius Allan Guthrie who will have a story in the Sunday Mail on 1st January, called (probably) HILDA'S BIG DAY OUT. Well done, Al. Brilliant news. Although...my mum reads the Mail. I'm not sure she's ready for one of your stories...
A review of Kate Atkinson's CASE HISTORIES. And one for STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG. Denise Mina's A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY is reviewed here, and a couple of reviews of Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD.
Three books loved by Ian Rankin.
Mysteries in Paradise reviews Peter May's THE BLACK HOUSE. And Peter May's very first short story about Ian The Elf, written when he was 4 years old. Awwww, bless.
The Irish Independent with what's likely to be hot next year.
Maxine at Petrona on Karen Campbell (also mentioning Denise Mina and Aline Templeton).
NPR on the enduring popularity of Sherlock Holmes. And a review of A GAME OF SHADOWS.
The latest Scottish delicacy - deep fried butter. I feel quite ill.
And, finally, I thought we'd seen the last of those lovely paper sculptures but here's a video of a final (?) one.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Psychotic Reaction
Your Cramps goodness for today.
This week, I have been busy at Uni doing an interesting task: a dérive otherwise known as a psychogeographic stroll. I would describe myself as a flâneuse. However, while the masculine version - flâneur - means one who loafs and strolls, the feminine version means a prostitute, so maybe I'd better not. Our brief was to visit an area of Glasgow, or a specific location (shopping centre, train station etc) and just wander for a couple of hours taking notice of who uses the space (and, more importantly, who doesn't), what it says (or doesn't) about identity, hegemony, post-modernism, transgression, ideologies,signs and semiology. I decided to do mine all along the number 40 bus route in Glasgow. Not only did this mean that I could sit down the whole way, but it also meant that I was travelling from West to East across Glasgow taking in loads of different areas. The comedian Kevin Bridges has things to say about this bus route.
It was a fascinating experiment. Funniest moment was when I got off the bus at the terminus in Easterhouse (I use the term 'terminus' very loosely - it's a patch of waste ground). I tried to upload a wee video but my technical skills failed me, so here are a couple of photos instead. I had been the last person on the bus for quite a few stops and, when I came down the stairs the driver looked really shocked.
"When do you go back?" I said.
He looked puzzled. "Where do you want to go, hen?"
"Back the same way I came."
"But where are you going?"
"Back to where I started."
"Are you wanting to go into town?"
"Yes."
He looked relieved. At last, something he could work with. "There's a number 41 leaving in a couple of minutes."
"Nope, it has to be a 40."
Silence for a moment. Then the cautious question: "What are you doing, hen?"
I thought about this.I didn't want to sound all intellectual and shit (sorry, Dad) so I decided not to go for the French. "It's for my university course. We have to do some psychogeography."
His face cleared. "Ah, well, there's plenty of psychos out this way, hen." I do believe he considered me to be one of them.
Anyway, on to Scottish crime fiction.
Two new books out from the wonderful Blasted Heath this week. Both of them I've read, both are wonderful. First of all, Douglas Lindsay's THE BARBER SURGEON'S HAIRSHIRT is a piece of genius madness. Here's my review of it. Next is Damien Seaman's THE KILLING OF EMMA GROSS. It's a dark and dirty police procedural set in Dusseldorf (sorry, can't find an umlaut) during 1929. The book takes as its background the crimes of notorious serial killer Peter Kurten (sorry, still can't find an umlaut) and the unsolved murder of a prostitute, and then spins out from there. It's full of heart and soul and a deep underlying sadness. Detective Thomas Klein is an excellent protagonist and Damien makes you really care about all the characters.
Talking of Douglas Lindsay, conniephoebe reviews THE END OF DAYS, Eurocrime reviews Karen Campbell's SHADOWPLAY, and a review of Philip Kerr's PRAGUE FATALE in The Independent.
The Star Telegram reviews Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, and NPR reviews THE COMPLAINTS. You can hear Ian talking about THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD on Australia's ABC radio's Book Show. And he answers questions posed by The Open University.
More on Alexander McCall Smith and broken society.
Have a lovely weekend, Dear Reader.
This week, I have been busy at Uni doing an interesting task: a dérive otherwise known as a psychogeographic stroll. I would describe myself as a flâneuse. However, while the masculine version - flâneur - means one who loafs and strolls, the feminine version means a prostitute, so maybe I'd better not. Our brief was to visit an area of Glasgow, or a specific location (shopping centre, train station etc) and just wander for a couple of hours taking notice of who uses the space (and, more importantly, who doesn't), what it says (or doesn't) about identity, hegemony, post-modernism, transgression, ideologies,signs and semiology. I decided to do mine all along the number 40 bus route in Glasgow. Not only did this mean that I could sit down the whole way, but it also meant that I was travelling from West to East across Glasgow taking in loads of different areas. The comedian Kevin Bridges has things to say about this bus route.
It was a fascinating experiment. Funniest moment was when I got off the bus at the terminus in Easterhouse (I use the term 'terminus' very loosely - it's a patch of waste ground). I tried to upload a wee video but my technical skills failed me, so here are a couple of photos instead. I had been the last person on the bus for quite a few stops and, when I came down the stairs the driver looked really shocked."When do you go back?" I said.
He looked puzzled. "Where do you want to go, hen?"
"Back the same way I came."
"But where are you going?"
"Back to where I started."
"Are you wanting to go into town?"
"Yes."
He looked relieved. At last, something he could work with. "There's a number 41 leaving in a couple of minutes."
"Nope, it has to be a 40."
Silence for a moment. Then the cautious question: "What are you doing, hen?"
I thought about this.I didn't want to sound all intellectual and shit (sorry, Dad) so I decided not to go for the French. "It's for my university course. We have to do some psychogeography."
His face cleared. "Ah, well, there's plenty of psychos out this way, hen." I do believe he considered me to be one of them.
Anyway, on to Scottish crime fiction.
Two new books out from the wonderful Blasted Heath this week. Both of them I've read, both are wonderful. First of all, Douglas Lindsay's THE BARBER SURGEON'S HAIRSHIRT is a piece of genius madness. Here's my review of it. Next is Damien Seaman's THE KILLING OF EMMA GROSS. It's a dark and dirty police procedural set in Dusseldorf (sorry, can't find an umlaut) during 1929. The book takes as its background the crimes of notorious serial killer Peter Kurten (sorry, still can't find an umlaut) and the unsolved murder of a prostitute, and then spins out from there. It's full of heart and soul and a deep underlying sadness. Detective Thomas Klein is an excellent protagonist and Damien makes you really care about all the characters.
Talking of Douglas Lindsay, conniephoebe reviews THE END OF DAYS, Eurocrime reviews Karen Campbell's SHADOWPLAY, and a review of Philip Kerr's PRAGUE FATALE in The Independent.
The Star Telegram reviews Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, and NPR reviews THE COMPLAINTS. You can hear Ian talking about THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD on Australia's ABC radio's Book Show. And he answers questions posed by The Open University.
More on Alexander McCall Smith and broken society.
Have a lovely weekend, Dear Reader.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Sunday Girl
Hope you had a lovely weekend, Dear Reader. This weekend's cinematic viewing was the French Canadian film INCENDIES - a really powerful, chilling film about a mother whose dying wish is that her twin son and daughter find their family (specifically the father they thought was dead and the brother they never knew they had). To do this they have to visit an unspecified Middle Eastern country. The film moves between past and present and the very first scene - set in the past - is stunning.
My latest Weird Sister blog over at Blasted Heath is up - this one about music. Anyone who reads this blog regularly will spot some familiar references.
Lots of reviews in the virtual and actual spheres today. First of all, reviewingtheevidence review Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD and M C Beaton's THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET, Eurocrime reviews Karen Campbell's SHADOWPLAY and Tony Black's TRUTH LIES BLEEDING, The Nerd of Noir loves Ray Banks' DEAD MONEY, a review of Aline Templeton's LYING DEAD, the Daily News in South Africa reviews Morag Joss' ACROSS THE BRIDGE and Philip Kerr's PRAGUE FATALE, and the Richmond Despatch reviews M C Beaton's AS THE PIG TURNS. Phew.
On the audiobook front, the Guardian is all Scottish this week with reviews of Ian Rankin, Tony Black, Peter May and Denise Mina. Nice.
It's that time of year when newspapers ask people for their recommendations for books to give at Christmas. Here's an interesting selection from The Guardian which includes Philip Kerr.
There's also a heap of stuff about Sherlock Holmes - a report on Anthony Horowitz' recent trip to Toronto, The Umbrella Organisation looks at Horowitz' HOUSE OF SILK, and the Los Angeles Times reviews Michael Dirda's ON CONAN DOYLE.
More about the stories inspired by portraits, including Alexander McCall Smith's. Ian Rankin donates a tie for charity, and World of Books Blog features Robert Louis Stevenson.
My latest Weird Sister blog over at Blasted Heath is up - this one about music. Anyone who reads this blog regularly will spot some familiar references.
Lots of reviews in the virtual and actual spheres today. First of all, reviewingtheevidence review Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD and M C Beaton's THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET, Eurocrime reviews Karen Campbell's SHADOWPLAY and Tony Black's TRUTH LIES BLEEDING, The Nerd of Noir loves Ray Banks' DEAD MONEY, a review of Aline Templeton's LYING DEAD, the Daily News in South Africa reviews Morag Joss' ACROSS THE BRIDGE and Philip Kerr's PRAGUE FATALE, and the Richmond Despatch reviews M C Beaton's AS THE PIG TURNS. Phew.
On the audiobook front, the Guardian is all Scottish this week with reviews of Ian Rankin, Tony Black, Peter May and Denise Mina. Nice.
It's that time of year when newspapers ask people for their recommendations for books to give at Christmas. Here's an interesting selection from The Guardian which includes Philip Kerr.
There's also a heap of stuff about Sherlock Holmes - a report on Anthony Horowitz' recent trip to Toronto, The Umbrella Organisation looks at Horowitz' HOUSE OF SILK, and the Los Angeles Times reviews Michael Dirda's ON CONAN DOYLE.
More about the stories inspired by portraits, including Alexander McCall Smith's. Ian Rankin donates a tie for charity, and World of Books Blog features Robert Louis Stevenson.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
I Was A Teenage Werewolf
Here's your daily gratuitous Cramps title for no reason at all.
A round-up of a couple of events at the Reading Crime Festival, including M C Beaton and Stuart MacBride.
The Nerd of Noir interviews Allan Guthrie. I don't know about the rest of you, but I really want to read BIG DUNC'S HAMMER. And you can catch Al at the Electric Bookshop tomorrow.
A David Ashton radio drama starring Billy Connolly and Brian Cox.
ON CONAN DOYLE - a new book about...errrrr...Conan Doyle.
The National Library of Scotland on Robert Louis Stevenson.
Damien Seaman on why Ian Rankin's Rebus is actually Batman, the Morning Star reviews THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, and Ian himself on being an accidental crime writer.
Helen Fitzgerald talks about book titles. And a nice review of THE DONOR over at Fair Dinkum Crime.
Just in case you missed out on free e-books from Blasted Heath, you can get them for the rock bottom bargain price of 99p/99c for the next week. 99p? I think those boys are crack addicts.
The Glasgow International Festival of Visual Arts sounds good. Although coming across a giant head on some wasteground is a typical Saturday night out in Glasgow.
A round-up of a couple of events at the Reading Crime Festival, including M C Beaton and Stuart MacBride.
The Nerd of Noir interviews Allan Guthrie. I don't know about the rest of you, but I really want to read BIG DUNC'S HAMMER. And you can catch Al at the Electric Bookshop tomorrow.
A David Ashton radio drama starring Billy Connolly and Brian Cox.
ON CONAN DOYLE - a new book about...errrrr...Conan Doyle.
The National Library of Scotland on Robert Louis Stevenson.
Damien Seaman on why Ian Rankin's Rebus is actually Batman, the Morning Star reviews THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, and Ian himself on being an accidental crime writer.
Helen Fitzgerald talks about book titles. And a nice review of THE DONOR over at Fair Dinkum Crime.
Just in case you missed out on free e-books from Blasted Heath, you can get them for the rock bottom bargain price of 99p/99c for the next week. 99p? I think those boys are crack addicts.
The Glasgow International Festival of Visual Arts sounds good. Although coming across a giant head on some wasteground is a typical Saturday night out in Glasgow.
Friday, 11 November 2011
Don't Get Funny With Me
Another Cramps-inspired title today.
Not only do we have Douglas Lindsay goodness over at his regular blog, but he's also going to be blogging weekly at Blasted Heath, and this week's is a cracker.
Alan Cranis reviews Ray Banks' BEAST OF BURDEN at Bookgasm. And Eurocrime reviews Lin Anderson's THE REBORN.
Jamie Bell talks about Irvine Welsh's FILTH.
The New Statesman on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
More on the Reading Festival of Crime which includes Stuart MacBride, Quintin Jardine, Denise Mina and M C Beaton.
An interesting post from Aly Monroe on history, film and books.
Have a lovely weekend, dear Reader. Tomorrow, Ewan is doing musical stuff so I am going to do some Crimefest programming . All author slots are now full (although you can sign up for the waiting list for panels). The website hasn't been totally updated with attendees and there are a couple of exciting names to be added. If you're coming and you have any panel topic suggestions, or special requests, please let me know and I will try and accommodate you.
Not only do we have Douglas Lindsay goodness over at his regular blog, but he's also going to be blogging weekly at Blasted Heath, and this week's is a cracker.
Alan Cranis reviews Ray Banks' BEAST OF BURDEN at Bookgasm. And Eurocrime reviews Lin Anderson's THE REBORN.
Jamie Bell talks about Irvine Welsh's FILTH.
The New Statesman on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
More on the Reading Festival of Crime which includes Stuart MacBride, Quintin Jardine, Denise Mina and M C Beaton.
An interesting post from Aly Monroe on history, film and books.
Have a lovely weekend, dear Reader. Tomorrow, Ewan is doing musical stuff so I am going to do some Crimefest programming . All author slots are now full (although you can sign up for the waiting list for panels). The website hasn't been totally updated with attendees and there are a couple of exciting names to be added. If you're coming and you have any panel topic suggestions, or special requests, please let me know and I will try and accommodate you.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Bikini Girls With Machine Guns
Sorry - no bikini girls or machine guns in this post - just another Cramps song title. Having said that, fans of bikini girls and/or machine guns should probably click on that link. Dad - that doesn't mean you. Here's a clip of Gardener's World for you.
More news on Scottish publisher Blasted Heath, with an interview with co-founder Kyle MacRae. And my annoying little brother Damien Seaman reads from his new book THE KILLING OF EMMA GROSS, which is published on 1st December. It's a great historical police procedural which fuses fact and fiction. It has as its backdrop the real life murders carried out by Düsseldorf serial killer Peter Kürten in the late 1920s (and every appearance of Kürten on the page sent a shiver down my spine), but it's about so much more than that and the fictional element is wonderful and full of heart. I loved it. And Heathen Ray Banks' BEAST OF BURDEN is reviewed by the perspicacious Alan Cranis at Bookgasm.
Sarah at Crimepieces (not Norm at Crimescraps!) with a very thoughtful review of Val McDermid's THE RETRIBUTION.
An interview with Ian Pattison. And the NZ Herald interviews Ian Rankin.
Joe Barone reviews M C Beaton's AS THE PIG TURNS, and Cyprus Life reviews AGATHA RAISIN AND THE TERRIBLE TOURIST.
Malcolm Redfellow on Philip Kerr.
More about the Anthony Horowitz Sherlock Holmes novel.
Off to see The Vaccines and The Arctic Monkeys tonight, then another day at university tomorrow. Anybody would think I was 18...well, until they saw me. 18 stone, maybe...
More news on Scottish publisher Blasted Heath, with an interview with co-founder Kyle MacRae. And my annoying little brother Damien Seaman reads from his new book THE KILLING OF EMMA GROSS, which is published on 1st December. It's a great historical police procedural which fuses fact and fiction. It has as its backdrop the real life murders carried out by Düsseldorf serial killer Peter Kürten in the late 1920s (and every appearance of Kürten on the page sent a shiver down my spine), but it's about so much more than that and the fictional element is wonderful and full of heart. I loved it. And Heathen Ray Banks' BEAST OF BURDEN is reviewed by the perspicacious Alan Cranis at Bookgasm.
Sarah at Crimepieces (not Norm at Crimescraps!) with a very thoughtful review of Val McDermid's THE RETRIBUTION.
An interview with Ian Pattison. And the NZ Herald interviews Ian Rankin.
Joe Barone reviews M C Beaton's AS THE PIG TURNS, and Cyprus Life reviews AGATHA RAISIN AND THE TERRIBLE TOURIST.
Malcolm Redfellow on Philip Kerr.
More about the Anthony Horowitz Sherlock Holmes novel.
Off to see The Vaccines and The Arctic Monkeys tonight, then another day at university tomorrow. Anybody would think I was 18...well, until they saw me. 18 stone, maybe...
Sunday, 6 November 2011
"If you saw a councillor up against a tree what would you think?"
All Hail the Heathens - Blasted Heath are getting a lot of nice buzz. The Scotsman calls them 'gifted' , there's an interview with Ray Banks over at Shotgun Honey and Detectives Beyond Borders talks about Anthony Neil Smith's THE WARRIORS. And if you rush over to the Blasted Heath site itself, you might still be in time to pick up Ray Banks' brilliant DEAD MONEY for free. And you can also watch Ray being interviewed by possibly the worst interviewer in the world...very funny.
The Vancouver Sun on Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, which is reviewed by the Globe and Mail.
Anthony Horowitz' new Sherlock Holmes novel - THE HOUSE OF SILK - is published this month.
Denise Mina will be at the New Zealand International Arts Festival next year. Closer to home, it's two for the price of one with the Mulgray Twins at the Portobello Library in Edinburgh on November 8th.
Talking of Denise Mina, the New York Times enthuses over THE END OF THE WASP SEASON.
The Book Dilettante has a reviewlet of M C Beaton's AS THE PIG TURNS.
And this happened where my parents live. Dad - better tell Mum to be a bit careful with the secateurs when she's out pruning the bushes.
The Vancouver Sun on Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, which is reviewed by the Globe and Mail.
Anthony Horowitz' new Sherlock Holmes novel - THE HOUSE OF SILK - is published this month.
Denise Mina will be at the New Zealand International Arts Festival next year. Closer to home, it's two for the price of one with the Mulgray Twins at the Portobello Library in Edinburgh on November 8th.
Talking of Denise Mina, the New York Times enthuses over THE END OF THE WASP SEASON.
The Book Dilettante has a reviewlet of M C Beaton's AS THE PIG TURNS.
And this happened where my parents live. Dad - better tell Mum to be a bit careful with the secateurs when she's out pruning the bushes.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Blasted this, and Blasted that
It's launch day for the marvellous Blasted Heath today. Just look at the goodies they have in store. And here's an article in today's Daily Record with a wee £3 off treat. And if you're in the US, Grift have a few Blasted dollars off too.
And, in other news (yes, it's not all about the Blasted Boys, you know...
Peter May on winning the Cezam and being piped onto the stage like a haggis.
Kate Atkinson's CASE HISTORIES on TV.
NPR on the mystery of those gorgeous paper sculptures.
More on the Million For A Morgue campaign.
Publisher's Weekly reviews Alexander McCall Smith's THE FORGOTTEN AFFAIRS OF YOUTH.
And just to sandwich this short post with the bread of goodness, those lovely lads at Byker Books have made all their titles available on the Kindle for less than a quid.
And, in other news (yes, it's not all about the Blasted Boys, you know...
Peter May on winning the Cezam and being piped onto the stage like a haggis.
Kate Atkinson's CASE HISTORIES on TV.
NPR on the mystery of those gorgeous paper sculptures.
More on the Million For A Morgue campaign.
Publisher's Weekly reviews Alexander McCall Smith's THE FORGOTTEN AFFAIRS OF YOUTH.
And just to sandwich this short post with the bread of goodness, those lovely lads at Byker Books have made all their titles available on the Kindle for less than a quid.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Head above the parapet
In between writing an essay on the relative merits of Freirean process and Alinsky style Community Organizing (ma heed's nippin' as we say in Scotland, so a short and sweet post today) we watched a couple of great films this weekend. The first was HEAD-ON (GEGEN DIE WAND) about the lives of Turkish immigrants in Hamburg. A raw, painful love story that is sometimes brutal, sometimes beautiful. Great soundtrack too - The Birthday Party, The Sisters of Mercy and Depeche Mode mixed with Turkish music. The second film was VIVA RIVA! a gritty crime thriller set in Kinshasa about a small-time criminal called Riva who steals a truck-load of petrol cans from a rather nasty Angolan gangster. Since petrol is an expensive and scarce commodity in the Congo, the gangster wants it back. Did I say Head-On was brutal? Well, this is even more so. Not as satisfying as Head-On because you don't get very deep into the characters but a good film and a reminder that I never want to visit Kinshasa.
The Guardian are offering a free audio download of Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes' book about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's real life fight for justice.
You can vote for Val McDermid's favourite walk if you like. And more Val here, on the Million For a Morgue story.
A review of Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD. And one of Philip Kerr's PRAGUE FATALE.
The totally brilliant Douglas Lindsay almost answers the question of whether he wants to drink the blood of his new publishers - Blasted Heath - and vomit on their graves.
And now, a plea. I'm helping to organise the Samaritans conference again this year. I'm looking for raffle prizes - signed books, unsigned books, holidays to the Maldives...all donations gratefully accepted, just drop me an e-mail. Thank you, my lovelies.
And now, I am giving up on the essay for the night. I've done 3,500 words - they're not very good words, and they're not in the right order, but right now I'm going to bed with a cup of tea and to read some fiction for the first time in a month. Bliss.
The Guardian are offering a free audio download of Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes' book about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's real life fight for justice.
You can vote for Val McDermid's favourite walk if you like. And more Val here, on the Million For a Morgue story.
A review of Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD. And one of Philip Kerr's PRAGUE FATALE.
The totally brilliant Douglas Lindsay almost answers the question of whether he wants to drink the blood of his new publishers - Blasted Heath - and vomit on their graves.
And now, a plea. I'm helping to organise the Samaritans conference again this year. I'm looking for raffle prizes - signed books, unsigned books, holidays to the Maldives...all donations gratefully accepted, just drop me an e-mail. Thank you, my lovelies.
And now, I am giving up on the essay for the night. I've done 3,500 words - they're not very good words, and they're not in the right order, but right now I'm going to bed with a cup of tea and to read some fiction for the first time in a month. Bliss.
Monday, 24 October 2011
How Far Can Too Far Go?
Still on The Cramps for post titles.
An awful lot of Ian Rankin today - an interview with the National Post, a piece in The Windsor Star, one in the Ottawa Express, the Guardian reviews THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, as does the Ottawa Citizen, and a TV interview with Studio 4 in Vancouver (the man appears to be taking over Canada)
Spinetingler on the exciting forthcoming titles from Blasted Heath. And they mention one of the forthcoming books - a debut from Damien Seaman. I've read it and it's very, very good. And here's Anthony Neil Smith reading from ALL THE YOUNG WARRIORS. He's a scary guy, that Neil.
Val McDermid on writing about violence. And here's the longer version of the full interview on Hard Talk. Well done that woman. And here, on the other side of the interview, is Val McDermid interviewing one of the actresses of The Killing - Sofie Gråbøl.
More TV: Mystery Scene looks at Kate Atkinson's CASE HISTORIES.
Three books about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This is a weird story on so many fronts but I find myself being most puzzled about why he was barred from Scotland...
An awful lot of Ian Rankin today - an interview with the National Post, a piece in The Windsor Star, one in the Ottawa Express, the Guardian reviews THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, as does the Ottawa Citizen, and a TV interview with Studio 4 in Vancouver (the man appears to be taking over Canada)
Spinetingler on the exciting forthcoming titles from Blasted Heath. And they mention one of the forthcoming books - a debut from Damien Seaman. I've read it and it's very, very good. And here's Anthony Neil Smith reading from ALL THE YOUNG WARRIORS. He's a scary guy, that Neil.
Val McDermid on writing about violence. And here's the longer version of the full interview on Hard Talk. Well done that woman. And here, on the other side of the interview, is Val McDermid interviewing one of the actresses of The Killing - Sofie Gråbøl.
More TV: Mystery Scene looks at Kate Atkinson's CASE HISTORIES.
Three books about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This is a weird story on so many fronts but I find myself being most puzzled about why he was barred from Scotland...
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
I Ain't Nuthin' But a Gorehound
For authors thinking of signing up for Crimefest, better do so before the end of the month if you want a guaranteed panel. Author slots are almost full. That means I can start programming soon.
More on those Blasted Heathens. And here. And the always brilliant Douglas Lindsay on Blasted Heath. The man is a comedy genius.
An interview with Val McDermid over at Jen's Book Thoughts. And Val will be in Durham this Saturday. How does she ever find the time to go on her favourite walk?
Denise Mina and Ian Rankin in Quebec on 28th October.
Paul Brazill reviews Denise Mina's END OF THE WASP SEASON. A review of Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, Dwell in Possibility reviews Josephine Tey's THE SINGING SANDS. And Talk Books 247 reviews Aly Monroe's ICELIGHT.
More on the Ian Rankin night with the Willard Grant Conspiracy. AndDoug Johnstone interviews Ian Rankin.
Vancouver gets to know Denise Mina's workspace.
Congratulations to Peter May whose THE BLACKHOUSE won France's biggest readers' prize - the CEZAM Prix Litteraire, which voted by 3551 jurors. Très bien, Monsieur May. And, talking of prizes, congratulations to the nominees in the Crime and Thriller category of the National Book Awards, especially Val McDermid and Ian Rankin.
Finally, if you're looking for gifts for your pulp fiction loving female friends, you should hop over to Miss Demeanour's Etsy store. I treated myself and just received this and this in the post today. Gorgeous. I tried to take a photo of me wearing them, but all I got was gratuitous breast shots.
PS - my brain is numb and I couldn't think of a title for this post, hence the totally unrelated Cramps reference.
More on those Blasted Heathens. And here. And the always brilliant Douglas Lindsay on Blasted Heath. The man is a comedy genius.
An interview with Val McDermid over at Jen's Book Thoughts. And Val will be in Durham this Saturday. How does she ever find the time to go on her favourite walk?
Denise Mina and Ian Rankin in Quebec on 28th October.
Paul Brazill reviews Denise Mina's END OF THE WASP SEASON. A review of Ian Rankin's THE IMPOSSIBLE DEAD, Dwell in Possibility reviews Josephine Tey's THE SINGING SANDS. And Talk Books 247 reviews Aly Monroe's ICELIGHT.
More on the Ian Rankin night with the Willard Grant Conspiracy. AndDoug Johnstone interviews Ian Rankin.
Vancouver gets to know Denise Mina's workspace.
Congratulations to Peter May whose THE BLACKHOUSE won France's biggest readers' prize - the CEZAM Prix Litteraire, which voted by 3551 jurors. Très bien, Monsieur May. And, talking of prizes, congratulations to the nominees in the Crime and Thriller category of the National Book Awards, especially Val McDermid and Ian Rankin.
Finally, if you're looking for gifts for your pulp fiction loving female friends, you should hop over to Miss Demeanour's Etsy store. I treated myself and just received this and this in the post today. Gorgeous. I tried to take a photo of me wearing them, but all I got was gratuitous breast shots.
PS - my brain is numb and I couldn't think of a title for this post, hence the totally unrelated Cramps reference.
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Good Reviews, Bad Reviews, Great News...
Look at this Blasted Heath loveliness. I've come over all un-necessary. And an interview with Allan Guthrie - half of the deadly duo.
The charming Aly Monroe talks to CrimeTime about ICELIGHT. And Aly will be at the Guildford Book Festival on October 22nd.
A great post and comments over at Helen Fitzgerald's place on the topic of bad reviews. And congratulations Helen and for this (not sure what is in the public domain yet, Ms Blabbermouth, so I'll just make this a blanket to cover all your good news!) Brilliant stuff.
Over at Detectives Beyond Borders, Peter muses on the brilliance that is Ray Banks. And I Meant To Read That reads Ray Banks' GUN. Good to see Mr Banks getting some well-deserved praise.
Alexander McCall Smith on Australian TV. And a review of the first couple of the Corduroy Mansions series.
Kate Atkinson's CASE HISTORIES to return to BBC 1. And SFGate suggests subtitles.
Over at Mulholland Books Kate Atkinson asks Denise Mina some questions. And a review of Denise Mina's THE END OF THE WASP SEASON.
Ian Rankin on the joys of vinyl, and on the rather more dubious joys of author readings.
Philip Kerr's Desert Island Books.
Heath Lowrance reviews Nigel Bird's SMOKE.
I have just had a brilliant idea for a new book. Now I just need to find the time to write it...
The charming Aly Monroe talks to CrimeTime about ICELIGHT. And Aly will be at the Guildford Book Festival on October 22nd.
A great post and comments over at Helen Fitzgerald's place on the topic of bad reviews. And congratulations Helen and for this (not sure what is in the public domain yet, Ms Blabbermouth, so I'll just make this a blanket to cover all your good news!) Brilliant stuff.
Over at Detectives Beyond Borders, Peter muses on the brilliance that is Ray Banks. And I Meant To Read That reads Ray Banks' GUN. Good to see Mr Banks getting some well-deserved praise.
Alexander McCall Smith on Australian TV. And a review of the first couple of the Corduroy Mansions series.
Kate Atkinson's CASE HISTORIES to return to BBC 1. And SFGate suggests subtitles.
Over at Mulholland Books Kate Atkinson asks Denise Mina some questions. And a review of Denise Mina's THE END OF THE WASP SEASON.
Ian Rankin on the joys of vinyl, and on the rather more dubious joys of author readings.
Philip Kerr's Desert Island Books.
Heath Lowrance reviews Nigel Bird's SMOKE.
I have just had a brilliant idea for a new book. Now I just need to find the time to write it...
Monday, 10 October 2011
Where the place?
Upon the Blasted Heath, that's where.
Yes, indeedy, this unscheduled post is to celebrate the launch of new digital publisher Blasted Heath - brainchild of the wonderful Allan Guthrie and Kyle MacRae (whose wonderfulness I can't vouch for and only suspect, since I don't know him).
Look out on 1st November for their hot-looking launch of 5 (yes, that's FIVE) books. You can listen to the authors reading from their books at the links below:
Ray Banks - DEAD MONEY (which I'm really looking forward to reading. It's apparently a total rewrite of THE BIG BLIND which was a fantastic book).
Douglas Lindsay - THE LONG MIDNIGHT OF BARNEY THOMSON (which I already own multiple copies of and am looking forward to having another one. So there)
Anthony Neil Smith - ALL THE YOUNG WARRIORS - in an interview here, he talks about it and it sounds fascinating (of course, it's Anthony Neil Smith - how could it be anything less than brilliant?)
Gary Carson - PHASE FOUR
Brian Pendreigh - THE MAN IN THE SEVENTH ROW which sounds like mad metaphysical genius.
as well as Gerard Brennan's WEE ROCKETS (a novel about granny mugging) in January 2012.
Huge congratulations to all involved - it's bound to be brilliant, exciting and warped, if that line-up is anything to go by. Right up my dark and twisted alley. I shall be first in line, kindle in hand, on launch day.
Yes, indeedy, this unscheduled post is to celebrate the launch of new digital publisher Blasted Heath - brainchild of the wonderful Allan Guthrie and Kyle MacRae (whose wonderfulness I can't vouch for and only suspect, since I don't know him).
Look out on 1st November for their hot-looking launch of 5 (yes, that's FIVE) books. You can listen to the authors reading from their books at the links below:
Ray Banks - DEAD MONEY (which I'm really looking forward to reading. It's apparently a total rewrite of THE BIG BLIND which was a fantastic book).
Douglas Lindsay - THE LONG MIDNIGHT OF BARNEY THOMSON (which I already own multiple copies of and am looking forward to having another one. So there)
Anthony Neil Smith - ALL THE YOUNG WARRIORS - in an interview here, he talks about it and it sounds fascinating (of course, it's Anthony Neil Smith - how could it be anything less than brilliant?)
Gary Carson - PHASE FOUR
Brian Pendreigh - THE MAN IN THE SEVENTH ROW which sounds like mad metaphysical genius.
as well as Gerard Brennan's WEE ROCKETS (a novel about granny mugging) in January 2012.
Huge congratulations to all involved - it's bound to be brilliant, exciting and warped, if that line-up is anything to go by. Right up my dark and twisted alley. I shall be first in line, kindle in hand, on launch day.
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