First of all - happy birthday to the talented JT Lindroos. Thanks, JT, you're a star.
I've been away having a girlie few days with my friend Jill - you know the sort of thing - drinking wine, watching movies, shopping, and having your feet nibbled at by man-eating fish. Strangely, a notice on the tank says "Please do not feed the fish." The film we watched was BRIDESMAIDS - not my usual fare but it was a bit different from the usual sickly sweet chick flick, being delightfully rude and crude in places. Good fun.
I've been chastised yet again for not updating my music selections over on the right, so I've put my current listens up. No doubt they'll still be up there 6 months hence.
Allan Guthrie over at Criminal E interviews...errrr...Allan Guthrie. And he also interviews Gordon Brown, so he doesn't just talk to himself.
A real life Ian Rankin mystery. How brilliant is this?
An interview with Ken McClure.
Alexander McCall Smith at the London Literature Festival on July 3rd.
Irvine Welsh - Ecstasy: The Movie.
Have a lovely weekend all, and thanks to everyone for the creative writing exercises.
Showing posts with label gordon brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gordon brown. Show all posts
Friday, 1 July 2011
Friday, 18 February 2011
That Friday Feeling
Several Scottish crime fiction events on World Book Night. Apart from the Aye Write events, Christopher Brookmyre is in Perth, while Karen Campbell, Helen Fitzgerald and errrr...me...are at the wonderful Glasgow Women's Library in the evening. More details on that as I have them.
Talking of World Book Night, here's a reminder of Alternative World Book Night. All you need to do is recommend a book you wish was better known, and give a copy away (and let me know you're in so I can list it here at Badsville).
Charles Cumming on espionage.
The Oxford Times reviews Val McDermid's TRICK OF THE DARK.
Alex Gray, Tony Black and Gordon Brown get tips from the inmates of the Bar-L. Great article.
Alexander McCall Smith at the Fayetteville Public Library on April 8th.
Scots are being urged to show support for their local library.
And, finally, some spooky Edinburgh tours.
Have a lovely weekend, dear Reader.
Talking of World Book Night, here's a reminder of Alternative World Book Night. All you need to do is recommend a book you wish was better known, and give a copy away (and let me know you're in so I can list it here at Badsville).
Charles Cumming on espionage.
The Oxford Times reviews Val McDermid's TRICK OF THE DARK.
Alex Gray, Tony Black and Gordon Brown get tips from the inmates of the Bar-L. Great article.
Alexander McCall Smith at the Fayetteville Public Library on April 8th.
Scots are being urged to show support for their local library.
And, finally, some spooky Edinburgh tours.
Have a lovely weekend, dear Reader.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
You, Too, Can Be A Skagboy
Ian Rankin on The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. And let Ian guide you around Edinburgh with this free iPhone app.
The Scotsman interviews William McIlvanney.
A review of Louise Welsh's play - MEMORY CELLS.
Listen to M C Beaton on BBC4's Front Row.
A new book from Gordon Brown (Glaswegian crime writer, not that other bloke) - 59 MINUTES will be out very soon.
Jay Stringer with an excellent review of Allan Guthrie's BYE BYE BABY over at Do Some Damage, and Vince Keenan with an equally excellent review of Ray Banks' BEAST OF BURDEN.
Fancy a role in Irvine Welsh's TRAINSPOTTING prequel, SKAGBOYS?
The Scotsman interviews William McIlvanney.
A review of Louise Welsh's play - MEMORY CELLS.
Listen to M C Beaton on BBC4's Front Row.
A new book from Gordon Brown (Glaswegian crime writer, not that other bloke) - 59 MINUTES will be out very soon.
Jay Stringer with an excellent review of Allan Guthrie's BYE BYE BABY over at Do Some Damage, and Vince Keenan with an equally excellent review of Ray Banks' BEAST OF BURDEN.
Fancy a role in Irvine Welsh's TRAINSPOTTING prequel, SKAGBOYS?
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
What I Read In February - Scottish Month
February was Scottish crime fiction month for me. And what an excellent time I had, too.
LOSS - Tony Black
Published: February 2010
Setting: Edinburgh
Protagonist: Gus Dury
Series?: 3rd
First Lines: 'Calls in the middle of the night rarely bring good news.'
Gus Dury is back with his wife, Debs, although their relationship is fragile. Also fragile is Gus' new-found sobriety. Relationship and sobriety are both threatened when Gus' brother is murdered and Gus, needless to say, resists all exhortations to leave the investigation to the police. His own attempts to find his brother's killer put him on the wrong side of just about everybody - the law, Debs, and some seriously dangerous men. Sometimes it seems as though Gus' only friends are his dog, Usual, and the unopened quarter bottle of whisky Gus keeps in his pocket. Luckily for Gus, he does have two good friends who step in and help him, without thought for their own safety. As Gus struggles to come to terms with the loss of his brother, things get darker and more dangerous. Wonderfully written, tough, edgy, and very dark, but with the odd flash of humour, LOSS made me cry at the end. Tony Black is a brilliant writer and I'm glad to see that the fourth in the series is out in July.
THE LOST SISTER - Russel McLean
Published: October 2009
Setting: Dundee
Protagonist: McNee
Series?: 2nd
First Lines: 'He doesn't waste a moment. Lets go of the axe, brings both hands round on either side of my head and slams them together.'
Hard-boiled Dundee PI McNee is called upon to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl. He's reluctant, since the girl is the god-daughter of David Burns - someone that McNee is not particularly fond of, and that's putting it lightly. McNee lets himself be beguiled by his dislike of Burns - as well as his desire to right some wrongs - as he investigates the secrets and lies that lead him to become more and more emotionally involved in the case. Brutal, chilling, pacy and dramatic, THE LOST SISTER is superb - but very sad. I felt melancholic from about half way through and burst into tears at the end (it seems a pattern is developing!) McNee is an excellent character - tough as nails on the outside, but much softer on the inside - something he does his best to hide. He is uncompromising about right and wrong, his moral compass is firmly set, and his prickly exterior hides a troubled and isolated person who just can't get close to people. You don't know whether to hug him or punch him. Russel McLean spins a fine and expertly told tale.
A DARKER DOMAIN - Val McDermid
Published: September 2008
Setting: Fife, Scotland and Tuscany, Italy
Protagonist: DI Karen Pirie
Series?: I think it's a standalone
First Lines: 'The voice is soft, like the darkness that encloses them.'
DI Karen Pirie, head of Fife's cold case review team is intrigued when a young woman comes in to report the disappearance of her father twenty-five years before, during the miners' strike. He was last seen in 1984 in the small mining village where he lived. At the time, everyone thought he'd joined a group of miners who had betrayed their friends and families by going off to 'scab' at a coal mine down in England, even though it seems to be out of character. In addition, new evidence has turned up in a kidnap case involving the daughter and grandson of the richest man in Scotland. Her bosses want her to concentrate on the kidnapping, but Karen is determined to look into the disappearance of the miner. This is a very cleverly told story with multi layered plot-lines, locations and times. It's full of atmosphere and social history as Val McDermid vividly shows the breakdown of a community and the suffering, grievances and bitterness which have cast long shadows. Intelligent and tightly plotted with twists upon twists and turns upon turns. An excellent read which kept me up.
NAMING THE BONES - Louise Welsh
Published: March 2010
Setting: Edinburgh, Glasgow and Lismore
Protagonist: Murray Watson
Series?: Standalone
First Lines: 'Murray Watson slit the seal on the cardboard box in front of him and started to sort through the remnants of a life.'
Glasgow University professor Dr Murray Watson is taking a year's sabbatical to write a book about obscure poet Archie Lunan - a man who wrote one book of poetry and died young, over two decades before, in a boating accident off a small Scottish island. Murray's task is not an easy one - he has very little information, and no-one seems particularly keen to talk to him. As Murray delves into the poet's life, he wonders whether there's any point to his research. Murray's own life is lonely and troubled and he seems to drift aimlessly. He's having a loveless affair, he has a chilly relationship with his brother - his only remaining family, and he drinks too much. The book not only tells what happened to Lunan, but also puts Murray's own life under the microscope and looks at love, death, art and obsession. Despite its length and seemingly leisurely pace, NAMING THE BONES is a fast read. It's atmospheric with a great sense of place and a very gothic tone. The real stand-out for me though was the characters. Even the most minor character is vivid and memorable, even those only on the page for a short time.
RANDOM - Craig Robertson
Published: April 2010
Setting: Glasgow
Protagonist: The Cutter
Series?: Standalone
First Lines: 'She was talking but I couldn't take anything in'
A serial killer know as The Cutter is making Glasgow's citizens a little on edge. The killer seems to have scant regard for the police, and has decided that the best way to make people sit up and take notice is to get the Press involved. The police are baffled by the seemingly random murders. The victims have nothing in common, each one is dispatched in a different way and with ruthless efficiency, and everything about the killings appears to be totally random. The only reason the police are linking the murders at all is because after each one DS Rachel Narey receives the severed little finger of the victim's right hand. Dark, violent and unsettling, the book is told from the cold and chilling point of view of the serial killer. There is a reason behind the killings, and the reason is one which should have made me feel some sympathy towards the killer. It didn't. He's as frosty and dangerous as an icicle hammered into your heart. But his story is compelling and it's a clever trick to make me want to keep reading about a character who made my skin crawl.
FALLING - Gordon Brown
Published: June 2009
Setting: Glasgow
Protagonist: Ensemble cast
Series?: Standalone
First Lines: 'The door to the toilet slams open and I turn to the noise.'
Mild-mannered accountant Charlie Wiggs is minding his own business in the office toilet, when two thugs burst in, grab him and take him to the roof of the building, where they proceed to dangle him over the side. Nobody, including Charlie, the two thugs, and George the maintenance man who sees it all happening, are quite clear why Charlie is being mistreated in this way. FALLING is a fast-paced read with an ensemble cast, told from multiple points of view. Some of the narratives overlap which means that, as the hows and whys are gradually revealed, we get to see them from numerous viewpoints. A breezy caper novel with dark undertones.
In March I am only going to read books in translation. Well, apart from this little beauty which I have just received, and which is next on my list to read. WATCHING THE WHEELS COME OFF is one of the first two books from maXcrime (the lovely people who are publishing OLD DOGS), and it's by Mike Hodges (director of the original (and best) GET CARTER). It's described as "a delicious dark slice of black crime comedy". Perfect.
LOSS - Tony Black
Published: February 2010
Setting: Edinburgh
Protagonist: Gus Dury
Series?: 3rd
First Lines: 'Calls in the middle of the night rarely bring good news.'
Gus Dury is back with his wife, Debs, although their relationship is fragile. Also fragile is Gus' new-found sobriety. Relationship and sobriety are both threatened when Gus' brother is murdered and Gus, needless to say, resists all exhortations to leave the investigation to the police. His own attempts to find his brother's killer put him on the wrong side of just about everybody - the law, Debs, and some seriously dangerous men. Sometimes it seems as though Gus' only friends are his dog, Usual, and the unopened quarter bottle of whisky Gus keeps in his pocket. Luckily for Gus, he does have two good friends who step in and help him, without thought for their own safety. As Gus struggles to come to terms with the loss of his brother, things get darker and more dangerous. Wonderfully written, tough, edgy, and very dark, but with the odd flash of humour, LOSS made me cry at the end. Tony Black is a brilliant writer and I'm glad to see that the fourth in the series is out in July.
THE LOST SISTER - Russel McLean
Published: October 2009
Setting: Dundee
Protagonist: McNee
Series?: 2nd
First Lines: 'He doesn't waste a moment. Lets go of the axe, brings both hands round on either side of my head and slams them together.'
Hard-boiled Dundee PI McNee is called upon to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl. He's reluctant, since the girl is the god-daughter of David Burns - someone that McNee is not particularly fond of, and that's putting it lightly. McNee lets himself be beguiled by his dislike of Burns - as well as his desire to right some wrongs - as he investigates the secrets and lies that lead him to become more and more emotionally involved in the case. Brutal, chilling, pacy and dramatic, THE LOST SISTER is superb - but very sad. I felt melancholic from about half way through and burst into tears at the end (it seems a pattern is developing!) McNee is an excellent character - tough as nails on the outside, but much softer on the inside - something he does his best to hide. He is uncompromising about right and wrong, his moral compass is firmly set, and his prickly exterior hides a troubled and isolated person who just can't get close to people. You don't know whether to hug him or punch him. Russel McLean spins a fine and expertly told tale.
A DARKER DOMAIN - Val McDermid
Published: September 2008
Setting: Fife, Scotland and Tuscany, Italy
Protagonist: DI Karen Pirie
Series?: I think it's a standalone
First Lines: 'The voice is soft, like the darkness that encloses them.'
DI Karen Pirie, head of Fife's cold case review team is intrigued when a young woman comes in to report the disappearance of her father twenty-five years before, during the miners' strike. He was last seen in 1984 in the small mining village where he lived. At the time, everyone thought he'd joined a group of miners who had betrayed their friends and families by going off to 'scab' at a coal mine down in England, even though it seems to be out of character. In addition, new evidence has turned up in a kidnap case involving the daughter and grandson of the richest man in Scotland. Her bosses want her to concentrate on the kidnapping, but Karen is determined to look into the disappearance of the miner. This is a very cleverly told story with multi layered plot-lines, locations and times. It's full of atmosphere and social history as Val McDermid vividly shows the breakdown of a community and the suffering, grievances and bitterness which have cast long shadows. Intelligent and tightly plotted with twists upon twists and turns upon turns. An excellent read which kept me up.
NAMING THE BONES - Louise Welsh
Published: March 2010
Setting: Edinburgh, Glasgow and Lismore
Protagonist: Murray Watson
Series?: Standalone
First Lines: 'Murray Watson slit the seal on the cardboard box in front of him and started to sort through the remnants of a life.'
Glasgow University professor Dr Murray Watson is taking a year's sabbatical to write a book about obscure poet Archie Lunan - a man who wrote one book of poetry and died young, over two decades before, in a boating accident off a small Scottish island. Murray's task is not an easy one - he has very little information, and no-one seems particularly keen to talk to him. As Murray delves into the poet's life, he wonders whether there's any point to his research. Murray's own life is lonely and troubled and he seems to drift aimlessly. He's having a loveless affair, he has a chilly relationship with his brother - his only remaining family, and he drinks too much. The book not only tells what happened to Lunan, but also puts Murray's own life under the microscope and looks at love, death, art and obsession. Despite its length and seemingly leisurely pace, NAMING THE BONES is a fast read. It's atmospheric with a great sense of place and a very gothic tone. The real stand-out for me though was the characters. Even the most minor character is vivid and memorable, even those only on the page for a short time.
RANDOM - Craig Robertson
Published: April 2010
Setting: Glasgow
Protagonist: The Cutter
Series?: Standalone
First Lines: 'She was talking but I couldn't take anything in'
A serial killer know as The Cutter is making Glasgow's citizens a little on edge. The killer seems to have scant regard for the police, and has decided that the best way to make people sit up and take notice is to get the Press involved. The police are baffled by the seemingly random murders. The victims have nothing in common, each one is dispatched in a different way and with ruthless efficiency, and everything about the killings appears to be totally random. The only reason the police are linking the murders at all is because after each one DS Rachel Narey receives the severed little finger of the victim's right hand. Dark, violent and unsettling, the book is told from the cold and chilling point of view of the serial killer. There is a reason behind the killings, and the reason is one which should have made me feel some sympathy towards the killer. It didn't. He's as frosty and dangerous as an icicle hammered into your heart. But his story is compelling and it's a clever trick to make me want to keep reading about a character who made my skin crawl.
FALLING - Gordon Brown
Published: June 2009
Setting: Glasgow
Protagonist: Ensemble cast
Series?: Standalone
First Lines: 'The door to the toilet slams open and I turn to the noise.'
Mild-mannered accountant Charlie Wiggs is minding his own business in the office toilet, when two thugs burst in, grab him and take him to the roof of the building, where they proceed to dangle him over the side. Nobody, including Charlie, the two thugs, and George the maintenance man who sees it all happening, are quite clear why Charlie is being mistreated in this way. FALLING is a fast-paced read with an ensemble cast, told from multiple points of view. Some of the narratives overlap which means that, as the hows and whys are gradually revealed, we get to see them from numerous viewpoints. A breezy caper novel with dark undertones.
In March I am only going to read books in translation. Well, apart from this little beauty which I have just received, and which is next on my list to read. WATCHING THE WHEELS COME OFF is one of the first two books from maXcrime (the lovely people who are publishing OLD DOGS), and it's by Mike Hodges (director of the original (and best) GET CARTER). It's described as "a delicious dark slice of black crime comedy". Perfect.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Quick and Dirty Posting
In the midst of editing, so a quick and dirty link summary.
It seems that everybody in the world likes Russel McLean - and quite rightly so. As an extra added bonus, one of those links also has a review of C David Ingram's THE STONE GALLOWS.
Christopher Brookmyre at the Winter Words Festival in Pitlochry on January 31st, while Alexander McCall Smith will be visiting Epping Forest in March.
Listen to the start of M C Beaton's DEATH OF A VALENTINE.
Author Craig Robertson revealed. I have a copy of his debut novel, RANDOM which looks good. I've decided that February is Scottish Crime Fiction Month chez moi and I shall be reading that one, Tony Black's LOSS (as soon as I buy a copy), Russel McLean's THE LOST SISTER and Gordon Brown's FALLING.
And talking of Tony Black, sadly, I shall miss the launch of LOSS at Blackwell's Bookshop in Edinburgh this Thursday. If, like me, you have been jonesing for a new Gus Dury, The Rap Sheet has an original short story featuring Gus. Great stuff.
The Big Thrill talks to Peter May.
It seems that everybody in the world likes Russel McLean - and quite rightly so. As an extra added bonus, one of those links also has a review of C David Ingram's THE STONE GALLOWS.
Christopher Brookmyre at the Winter Words Festival in Pitlochry on January 31st, while Alexander McCall Smith will be visiting Epping Forest in March.
Listen to the start of M C Beaton's DEATH OF A VALENTINE.
Author Craig Robertson revealed. I have a copy of his debut novel, RANDOM which looks good. I've decided that February is Scottish Crime Fiction Month chez moi and I shall be reading that one, Tony Black's LOSS (as soon as I buy a copy), Russel McLean's THE LOST SISTER and Gordon Brown's FALLING.
And talking of Tony Black, sadly, I shall miss the launch of LOSS at Blackwell's Bookshop in Edinburgh this Thursday. If, like me, you have been jonesing for a new Gus Dury, The Rap Sheet has an original short story featuring Gus. Great stuff.
The Big Thrill talks to Peter May.
Monday, 26 October 2009
A Miscellany of Links
G J Moffat and Caro Ramsay at the Imprint 2009 Book Festival in East Ayrshire on 11th November.
Is the UK film industry struggling?
Vote for your favourite neglected book at BBC Radio 4's Open Book site.
The lovely Dorte from DJ's Krimiblog reviews Helen Fitzgerald's DEAD LOVELY. And, talking of Helen Fitzgerald, why does she always manage to do events when I'm not in town? This one's on in Glasgow's Borders on Saturday 31st October. See also further down the page for an event by Gordon Brown, author of FALLING, on Thursday 10th December.
A report on Val McDermid at Warwick Words.
Ian Rankin's new sleuth. And here, he talks about his Edinburgh.
Alexander McCall Smith on playing Bridge.
More on the violence and misogyny brouhaha,
Is the UK film industry struggling?
Vote for your favourite neglected book at BBC Radio 4's Open Book site.
The lovely Dorte from DJ's Krimiblog reviews Helen Fitzgerald's DEAD LOVELY. And, talking of Helen Fitzgerald, why does she always manage to do events when I'm not in town? This one's on in Glasgow's Borders on Saturday 31st October. See also further down the page for an event by Gordon Brown, author of FALLING, on Thursday 10th December.
A report on Val McDermid at Warwick Words.
Ian Rankin's new sleuth. And here, he talks about his Edinburgh.
Alexander McCall Smith on playing Bridge.
More on the violence and misogyny brouhaha,
Friday, 21 August 2009
People Are Lovely
First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to whoever nominated me for the Book Blogger Appreciation Awards. I was shocked, stunned, gobsmacked and thrilled to discover that I have 3 nominations! The categories are Best Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Crime Blog, Best New Blog, and Best Writing (no, honestly!). I don't know who the person nominating me was, so I can't hug you - but a heartfelt thank you - not only for thinking of nominating me, but also for enjoying my blog. Whoever you are, a big virtual kiss for you.
Courtesy of Claire - what sounds like a fantastic event.
Waterstone's Crime Time @ Eastwood Park Theatre
Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, Glasgow, G46 6UG Box Office; 0141 577 4970
Irvine Welsh in an interview with The Big Issue. Incidentally, I got a kiss from a Big Issue seller today!
And finally, I love this - from The Guardian, some excellent one-star reviews from Amazon.
Courtesy of Claire - what sounds like a fantastic event.
Waterstone's Crime Time @ Eastwood Park Theatre
Denise Mina, Louise Welsh, Karen Campbell
Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, Glasgow, G46 6UG Box Office; 0141 577 4970
Sunday, 13 September 2009, 6:30PM - 10:30PM
Tickets £8 available from the shop and from Eastwood Park Theatre Box Office
Featuring the cream of Scotland's crime writers, telling stories, reading from their novels and answering your questions. Meet Denise Mina, Louise Welsh, Karen Campbell, Helen FitzGerald and Harry 'The Polis' Morris in this crime writing extravaganza in the lovely surroundings of Eastwood Park Theatre. Not to be missed!
Further details: 0141 616 3933
There will, apparently, be sneak previews from Louise Welsh's forthcoming book due out in March 2010, a collaboration between Louise Welsh and Denise Mina for Victim Support Scotland titled 'Shattered' and Helen Fitzgerald will have her newest novel 'Bloody Women' out and on sale. Also, according to Claire, there are rumours of another Crime Time with Christopher Brookmyre, Alex Gray and newcomer Gordon J. Brown (author of FALLING - a book I definitely need to get my hands on) in October.
An authorised biography of Ian Rankin is coming out from John Blake publishing. And, as if we didn't already know it, Ian Rankin is, officially, A Lovely Man. And here is the full list of authors.
Irvine Welsh in an interview with The Big Issue. Incidentally, I got a kiss from a Big Issue seller today!
And finally, I love this - from The Guardian, some excellent one-star reviews from Amazon.
Friday, 7 August 2009
I Came, I Saw, I Trampled
First things first - Dad, if you're reading this, for goodness' sake, don't tell Mum. My Mum's first reaction if she hears a prisoner has escaped from jail in Timbuktu is to tell my Dad to lock all the doors, so this story would make her freak out. So, after yesterday's Snakes On A Bus episode I thought today might be a tad more peaceful. (When I told people about this episode, by the way, the reaction of all the females was a variation on the theme of "Ewwwwwwwww"; the reaction of more than one of the males was "What type of snake?" I had to confess that I did not ask it for its family tree.)
But I digress. This morning, hoping for slightly less wildlife in my day, I went to catch my bus, only to discover that the bus shelter was already full. With about 6 police, and a bloke and a woman both looking slightly the worse for wear. So, rather than interrupt this cosy little chat, I stood next to the bus stop, waiting for my bus, while wondering what this guy had done. Maybe he'd dropped some litter? Daubed some badly spelled slogans on a wall? Been drunk in charge of a bus shelter?
Just before my bus arrived, one of the policemen came around the side of the bus shelter, looked at me funny, and bent over to pick something up. I looked down. There, 2 inches away from my feet was a saw (Girls - I know! Ewwwwwwwwwwww. Lads - it was a crosscut handsaw with a steel blade - happy now?) Apparently the guy had tried to cut his girlfriend's head off with the saw while she was sleeping. Luckily, she had woken up before he could get very far, realised that he wasn't holding the saw in order to put up a couple of shelves and had run out of the house, with him chasing her, still wielding the saw. Obviously sensing that this was not your normal DIY episode, a passer-by had called the police, who arrived mob-handed in double quick time, complete with riot gear. Enter your humble narrator to trample all over the evidence.
Anyway, I apologise for all the personal asides in recent posts. I will try to refrain in future but, really, you couldn't make this stuff up.
And now back to Scottish crime fiction.
Karen Campbell has signed a new two book deal with Hodder and Stoughton. This is news I'm very glad to hear as I'm currently reading, and loving, her first book THE TWILIGHT TIME - a police procedural with humour, warmth, and a fair bit of darkness.
An article about football from Christopher Brookmyre, whose latest novel Pandemonium will be launched at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow on Friday August 14th.
Alexander McCall Smith says hands off Scotland's haggis.
Gordon Brown the author, as opposed to the other one.
A review of Denise Mina's STILL MIDNIGHT.
But I digress. This morning, hoping for slightly less wildlife in my day, I went to catch my bus, only to discover that the bus shelter was already full. With about 6 police, and a bloke and a woman both looking slightly the worse for wear. So, rather than interrupt this cosy little chat, I stood next to the bus stop, waiting for my bus, while wondering what this guy had done. Maybe he'd dropped some litter? Daubed some badly spelled slogans on a wall? Been drunk in charge of a bus shelter?
Just before my bus arrived, one of the policemen came around the side of the bus shelter, looked at me funny, and bent over to pick something up. I looked down. There, 2 inches away from my feet was a saw (Girls - I know! Ewwwwwwwwwwww. Lads - it was a crosscut handsaw with a steel blade - happy now?) Apparently the guy had tried to cut his girlfriend's head off with the saw while she was sleeping. Luckily, she had woken up before he could get very far, realised that he wasn't holding the saw in order to put up a couple of shelves and had run out of the house, with him chasing her, still wielding the saw. Obviously sensing that this was not your normal DIY episode, a passer-by had called the police, who arrived mob-handed in double quick time, complete with riot gear. Enter your humble narrator to trample all over the evidence.
Anyway, I apologise for all the personal asides in recent posts. I will try to refrain in future but, really, you couldn't make this stuff up.
And now back to Scottish crime fiction.
Karen Campbell has signed a new two book deal with Hodder and Stoughton. This is news I'm very glad to hear as I'm currently reading, and loving, her first book THE TWILIGHT TIME - a police procedural with humour, warmth, and a fair bit of darkness.
An article about football from Christopher Brookmyre, whose latest novel Pandemonium will be launched at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow on Friday August 14th.
Alexander McCall Smith says hands off Scotland's haggis.
Gordon Brown the author, as opposed to the other one.
A review of Denise Mina's STILL MIDNIGHT.
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