This weekend's film viewing was 36 QUAI DES ORFEVRES with Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu - a gritty, absorbing and convoluted crime thriller with lots of shades of grey. Great performances from Auteuil and Depardieu. Off to Harrogate Crime Festival next week so it will be a film-less weekend.
A great post from Helen Fitzgerald on self-obsession, and here's a great interview with her in The Scotsman.
The Scotsman also interviews David Ashton.
Hobbit in Irvine Welsh's ECSTACY.
An audio interview with Dr Val McDermid.
The World of Alexander McCall Smith, a review of BLUE SHOES AND HAPPINESS and a video interview with the man.
An interesting article on Douglas Watt's TESTAMENT OF A WITCH.
Fancy an evening with Ian Rankin?
Shirley McKay and Gillian Galbraith will be appearing at the Inverness Book Festival August 10-13. Louise Welsh and Christopher Brookmyre will also be appearing.
The Guardian on class in fiction. And another Guardian piece - this time the best summer reads and where to read them. Maybe we should do the equivalent for crime fiction.
I'm sure I don't need to tell you again that you should read the genius that is Douglas Lindsay's GOVERNMENT OF THE LIVING DEAD, do I?
And, he's not Scottish, but I can't resist the chance to give a shout out to the lovely Declan Burke, whose book ABSOLUTE ZERO COOL is out soon. It's absolute 100% brilliant, by the way. And it's being launched on August 10th at the Gutter Bookshop in Dublin. Everyone welcome.
Showing posts with label shirley mckay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shirley mckay. Show all posts
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Sunday, 5 September 2010
It Can't Be Sunday Yet, Surely?
First of all huge thanks to everyone who has offered books for the charity raffle - I really appreciate it.
My weekends guests have now gone home and the flat is back to quiet normality (if you don't count Black Rebel Motorcycle Club who are currently blasting through the speakers and the bits of baby food I keep picking up off the floor) So, onto the news round-up.
Firstly, it's me, me, me (sorry!) I'm blogging here on the Busted Flush blog about the perils of research. And the Kindle version of OLD DOGS is now available in the US. Right, that's enough of that nonsense, back to proper news.
Some appearances - Louise Welsh in Canada in November, more on the Milngavie Book and Arts Festival with G J Moffat, Caro Ramsay and Shirley McKay, Philip Kerr will be at the Indie Alliance Weekend on 11th September, and Ken McClure will be speaking at the West Calder Library on 30 September.
And some reviews - Brit Grit, just like Badsville, loves Tony Black's Gus Dury novels and writes an excellent post to tell us so, here. Meanwhile, Bookmunch enjoyed Kate Atkinson's STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG, and The Shore Bookworm reviews Denise Mina's Garnethill series.
Oxfam's most wanted author for the second year in a row is Ian Rankin, whilst Dan Brown is most unwanted. And, on the topic of Ian Rankin, here's a review of the audio version of THE FALLS.
In an audio interview with 'Scottish National Treasure' Val McDermid at the Brisbane Writers' Festival, Val reveals that she was once beaten up by a wrestler and was recently insulted by being inadequately burgled. It's a fascinating interview with Val and journalist Jake Adelstein. Wonderfully entertaining stuff. And Crime and Publishing reviews TRICK OF THE DARK.
The Scottish Review of Books reviews Alexander McCall Smith at the Edinburgh Book Festival.
And, finally, watch out if you're making a film in Aberdeen.
My weekends guests have now gone home and the flat is back to quiet normality (if you don't count Black Rebel Motorcycle Club who are currently blasting through the speakers and the bits of baby food I keep picking up off the floor) So, onto the news round-up.
Firstly, it's me, me, me (sorry!) I'm blogging here on the Busted Flush blog about the perils of research. And the Kindle version of OLD DOGS is now available in the US. Right, that's enough of that nonsense, back to proper news.
Some appearances - Louise Welsh in Canada in November, more on the Milngavie Book and Arts Festival with G J Moffat, Caro Ramsay and Shirley McKay, Philip Kerr will be at the Indie Alliance Weekend on 11th September, and Ken McClure will be speaking at the West Calder Library on 30 September.
And some reviews - Brit Grit, just like Badsville, loves Tony Black's Gus Dury novels and writes an excellent post to tell us so, here. Meanwhile, Bookmunch enjoyed Kate Atkinson's STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG, and The Shore Bookworm reviews Denise Mina's Garnethill series.
Oxfam's most wanted author for the second year in a row is Ian Rankin, whilst Dan Brown is most unwanted. And, on the topic of Ian Rankin, here's a review of the audio version of THE FALLS.
In an audio interview with 'Scottish National Treasure' Val McDermid at the Brisbane Writers' Festival, Val reveals that she was once beaten up by a wrestler and was recently insulted by being inadequately burgled. It's a fascinating interview with Val and journalist Jake Adelstein. Wonderfully entertaining stuff. And Crime and Publishing reviews TRICK OF THE DARK.
The Scottish Review of Books reviews Alexander McCall Smith at the Edinburgh Book Festival.
And, finally, watch out if you're making a film in Aberdeen.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Canapes and Crime
Happy Monday, dear reader. I hope you had as grand a weekend as I did. Micky Flanagan at the Pleasance was hilarious. Since my dad reads this blog I can't possibly tell you what my favourite part of his show was, so you'll just have to take my word for how good he was. The birthday party was great fun and I danced my socks off. The football match was slightly tedious so I ended up counting the cameramen. There are an awful lot of cameramen at a football match. Then it was off to the Edinburgh Book Festival where I met up with the lovely Bookwitch and her daughter. I shall let her tell you all about it.
I then went to a party hosted by the Jenny Brown Literary Agency where I had good fun chatting to Super-Agent Al, Aly Monroe, Russel McLean and Helen Fitzgerald. I also met Doug Johnstone and Rosy Barnes (whose book SADOMASOCHISM FOR ACCOUNTANTS sounds right up my street). Helen is currently working on a young adult crime fiction novel called OOPS I KILLED MY SISTER'S BOYFRIEND. Can't wait.
By the time I got to the party I was absolutely starving. I was just about to tuck into Russel's left arm when a saviour appeared in the form of a small boy holding a tray with little biscuit things with cheese on. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he negotiated various groups of people, gradually getting closer and closer. Then, just as he was about to reach our group, he veered away. I shot out an arm and stopped him in his tracks. "Oi, what are you doing, going in the other direction? Look at this face. This is a hungry face. If you're bringing food, make sure you come to us first, is that clear?"
The small boy looked shocked but nodded. I think he had understood. "Good," I said, scooping up 24 tiny biscuits smeared with cheese. "Now, run along and fetch another tray."
Bless his heart, he kept us stocked up on nibbles for the rest of the evening. We were always his first port of call when he came out to where we were standing. Then, towards the end of the evening he tapped me on the arm.
"No tray, young man?"
He shook his head. "I have good news and bad news."
"Tell me the bad news."
"There's only one tray of food left, and I'm not allowed to bring it outside. I have to serve it to all the people inside."
"And the good news?"
"I'm getting paid."
"How much?"
He beamed. "Ten pounds."
"It's not enough. Tell them you deserve at least fifteen."
A little later I felt a small presence at my elbow. "I have something important to say," he said.
"I'm all ears, young man."
"I have to tell you that I accept tips."
Needless to say, he got one. Brilliant.
And now, on to the crime fiction news.
The Guardian rounds up literary book tours - including both Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh in Edinburgh. I can see the appeal of the Oxford Bar and Fleshmarket Close but... Irvine Welsh's drug dens?
And, talking of Ian Rankin, he will be appearing on a panel as part of the Tesco Bank Summer Reads programme on September 2nd in Edinburgh.
And if you like champagne, chips and crime (and, let's face it, who doesn't?) here's a great event in Milngavie on 12th September featuring G J Moffat, Shirley McKay, Caro Ramsay and Len Murray. I would go, but I'm in Berlin.
BBC Radio Scotland will feature Val McDermid in a forthcoming My Life in 5 Books.
Louise Welsh reveals that she is afraid of Tories.
A couple of reviews - firstly Christopher Brookmyre's QUITE UGLY ONE MORNING, Kate Atkinson's STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG, and Irvine Welsh's REHEATED CABBAGE.
And, finally, in the Lothians book crime is, apparently, a big thing. In Clackmannanshire, however, they prefer manhole covers.
I then went to a party hosted by the Jenny Brown Literary Agency where I had good fun chatting to Super-Agent Al, Aly Monroe, Russel McLean and Helen Fitzgerald. I also met Doug Johnstone and Rosy Barnes (whose book SADOMASOCHISM FOR ACCOUNTANTS sounds right up my street). Helen is currently working on a young adult crime fiction novel called OOPS I KILLED MY SISTER'S BOYFRIEND. Can't wait.
By the time I got to the party I was absolutely starving. I was just about to tuck into Russel's left arm when a saviour appeared in the form of a small boy holding a tray with little biscuit things with cheese on. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he negotiated various groups of people, gradually getting closer and closer. Then, just as he was about to reach our group, he veered away. I shot out an arm and stopped him in his tracks. "Oi, what are you doing, going in the other direction? Look at this face. This is a hungry face. If you're bringing food, make sure you come to us first, is that clear?"
The small boy looked shocked but nodded. I think he had understood. "Good," I said, scooping up 24 tiny biscuits smeared with cheese. "Now, run along and fetch another tray."
Bless his heart, he kept us stocked up on nibbles for the rest of the evening. We were always his first port of call when he came out to where we were standing. Then, towards the end of the evening he tapped me on the arm.
"No tray, young man?"
He shook his head. "I have good news and bad news."
"Tell me the bad news."
"There's only one tray of food left, and I'm not allowed to bring it outside. I have to serve it to all the people inside."
"And the good news?"
"I'm getting paid."
"How much?"
He beamed. "Ten pounds."
"It's not enough. Tell them you deserve at least fifteen."
A little later I felt a small presence at my elbow. "I have something important to say," he said.
"I'm all ears, young man."
"I have to tell you that I accept tips."
Needless to say, he got one. Brilliant.
And now, on to the crime fiction news.
The Guardian rounds up literary book tours - including both Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh in Edinburgh. I can see the appeal of the Oxford Bar and Fleshmarket Close but... Irvine Welsh's drug dens?
And, talking of Ian Rankin, he will be appearing on a panel as part of the Tesco Bank Summer Reads programme on September 2nd in Edinburgh.
And if you like champagne, chips and crime (and, let's face it, who doesn't?) here's a great event in Milngavie on 12th September featuring G J Moffat, Shirley McKay, Caro Ramsay and Len Murray. I would go, but I'm in Berlin.
BBC Radio Scotland will feature Val McDermid in a forthcoming My Life in 5 Books.
Louise Welsh reveals that she is afraid of Tories.
A couple of reviews - firstly Christopher Brookmyre's QUITE UGLY ONE MORNING, Kate Atkinson's STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG, and Irvine Welsh's REHEATED CABBAGE.
And, finally, in the Lothians book crime is, apparently, a big thing. In Clackmannanshire, however, they prefer manhole covers.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Fancy A Scottish Crime Festival?
Several reviews of Scottish authors/books today. First of all, Shirley McKay's FATE AND FORTUNE, one of Christopher Brookmyre's A SNOWBALL IN HELL which concludes that it might be style over substance but it's hard to dislike, and a very positive review of Alice Thompson's THE EXISTENTIAL DETECTIVE.
Time Out's Edinburgh Festival Guide has an interview with Ian Rankin. The Guide can be downloaded here. And, talking of festivals, here's more on the new Unbound strand at the Edinburgh Book Festival. In addition, Christopher Brookmyre will be appearing at the SeptembAyr festival. And I've mentioned this before but just a reminder that my lovely wee son, and the apple of his granny's eye, Chris Ewan will be appearing at the Lowdham Book Festival tomorrow.
And I have it on good authority that the Wigtown Book Festival will have a big crime fiction element, which is great news - a Scottish crime fiction convention sounds great. It's due to be held at the end of September/beginning of October 2011. So, dear reader, who would you like to see there?
Crimewatch has an interview with Stuart MacBride.
Paul Johnston's latest Matt Wells book - MAPS OF HELL - is due out in the UK in August. I do wish he'd bring back near-future Edinburgh PI Quintilian Dalrymple - I loved that series.
The 'psychic painting' owned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that I mentioned in an earlier post fetches AU$72,000.
Alexander McCall Smith and Tilda Swinton have been asked to inspire pupils.
And, finally, joyriding art installation is a target for thieves and vandals.
Time Out's Edinburgh Festival Guide has an interview with Ian Rankin. The Guide can be downloaded here. And, talking of festivals, here's more on the new Unbound strand at the Edinburgh Book Festival. In addition, Christopher Brookmyre will be appearing at the SeptembAyr festival. And I've mentioned this before but just a reminder that my lovely wee son, and the apple of his granny's eye, Chris Ewan will be appearing at the Lowdham Book Festival tomorrow.
And I have it on good authority that the Wigtown Book Festival will have a big crime fiction element, which is great news - a Scottish crime fiction convention sounds great. It's due to be held at the end of September/beginning of October 2011. So, dear reader, who would you like to see there?
Crimewatch has an interview with Stuart MacBride.
Paul Johnston's latest Matt Wells book - MAPS OF HELL - is due out in the UK in August. I do wish he'd bring back near-future Edinburgh PI Quintilian Dalrymple - I loved that series.
The 'psychic painting' owned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that I mentioned in an earlier post fetches AU$72,000.
Alexander McCall Smith and Tilda Swinton have been asked to inspire pupils.
And, finally, joyriding art installation is a target for thieves and vandals.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Looking Forward To 2010 - Part 3
Stuart MacBride - DARK BLOOD
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: April 2010
6th in the Aberdeen set police procedural series featuring Logan McRae. From Harper Collins' website: 'Martin Knox has served his time, so why shouldn’t he be allowed to live wherever he wants? Yes, in the past he was a violent rapist, but he’s seen the error of his ways. Found God. Wants to leave his dark past in Newcastle behind him and make a new start. Or so he says. Detective Sergeant Logan McRae isn’t exactly thrilled to be part of the team helping Knox settle into his new Aberdeen home. He’s even less thrilled to be stuck with DSI Danby from Northumbria Police – the man who put Knox behind bars for ten years – supposedly here to ‘keep an eye on things’. Only things are about to go very, very wrong. Edinburgh gangster Malk the Knife wants a slice of the development boom Donald Trump’s golf course is bringing to the Granite City, whether local crime lord Wee Hamish Mowat likes it or not. Three heavies from Newcastle want a ‘quiet word’ with DSI Danby about a missing mob accountant. And Martin Knox’s dark past isn’t done with him yet…'
Charles Maclean - NIGHT
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Date: February 2010
A psychological suspense thriller apparently. And that's all I can find out about it- sorry.
Shona Maclean - A GAME OF SORROWS
Publisher: Quercus
Date: March 2010
From Amazon's website: 'It is 1628, and Seaton's happily settled life as a university teacher in Aberdeen is shattered by the arrival in town of a stranger carrying a plea for help from his dead mother's family in Ireland. The family has been placed under a poet's curse, elements of which have begun to come true. Reluctantly answering the call, Alexander travels to Ulster, to find himself among a family riven by secrets and long-standing resentments. In the course of seeking out the author of the curse, Alexander becomes increasingly entangled with both sides in the conflict - fugitive priests, displaced poets, rebellious plotters and agents of the king. His life and liberty are threatened as he is confronted with murder within his own family, and he finds the lines between superstition and faith, duty and loyalty blurred to the extent that he begins to question his own identity, and is forced to face up to the destructive power of love.'
Ken McClure - A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: April 2010
6th in the Aberdeen set police procedural series featuring Logan McRae. From Harper Collins' website: 'Martin Knox has served his time, so why shouldn’t he be allowed to live wherever he wants? Yes, in the past he was a violent rapist, but he’s seen the error of his ways. Found God. Wants to leave his dark past in Newcastle behind him and make a new start. Or so he says. Detective Sergeant Logan McRae isn’t exactly thrilled to be part of the team helping Knox settle into his new Aberdeen home. He’s even less thrilled to be stuck with DSI Danby from Northumbria Police – the man who put Knox behind bars for ten years – supposedly here to ‘keep an eye on things’. Only things are about to go very, very wrong. Edinburgh gangster Malk the Knife wants a slice of the development boom Donald Trump’s golf course is bringing to the Granite City, whether local crime lord Wee Hamish Mowat likes it or not. Three heavies from Newcastle want a ‘quiet word’ with DSI Danby about a missing mob accountant. And Martin Knox’s dark past isn’t done with him yet…'
Charles Maclean - NIGHT
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Date: February 2010
A psychological suspense thriller apparently. And that's all I can find out about it- sorry.
Shona Maclean - A GAME OF SORROWS
Publisher: Quercus
Date: March 2010
From Amazon's website: 'It is 1628, and Seaton's happily settled life as a university teacher in Aberdeen is shattered by the arrival in town of a stranger carrying a plea for help from his dead mother's family in Ireland. The family has been placed under a poet's curse, elements of which have begun to come true. Reluctantly answering the call, Alexander travels to Ulster, to find himself among a family riven by secrets and long-standing resentments. In the course of seeking out the author of the curse, Alexander becomes increasingly entangled with both sides in the conflict - fugitive priests, displaced poets, rebellious plotters and agents of the king. His life and liberty are threatened as he is confronted with murder within his own family, and he finds the lines between superstition and faith, duty and loyalty blurred to the extent that he begins to question his own identity, and is forced to face up to the destructive power of love.'
Publisher: Polygon
Date: May 2010
Eighth in the series featuring Dr Steven Dunbar of the Sci-Med Inspectorate. From Amazon: 'John Motram, a cell biologist at Newcastle University firmly believes that Black Death was not caused by bubonic plague but by an unknown virus. He is excited when Oxford University tell him that they have come into possession of information suggesting there might be preserved bodies of victims from the time of Black Death hidden under Dryburgh Abbey. Motram sees this as an opportunity to settle the argument once and for all. An excavation is mounted but comes to a disastrous end when Motram apparently loses his mind after entering the secret tomb. Dr Steven Dunbar of the Sci-Med Inspectorate is sent to investigate fearing that a new killer virus has been let loose.'
Pat McIntosh - A PIG OF COLD POISON
Publisher: Soho Constable
Date: July 2010
Seventh in the series set in medieval Glasgow, featuring the Archbishop's investigator, Gil Cunningham. From BooksFromScotland.com: 'Danny Gibson and Nanty Bothwell, rivals for the affections of Agnes Renfrew, the apothecary's pretty daughter, are also good friends. When they both take part in the festive play at the house of Gil's sister Kate, it ends in Danny's death, apparently by poison from his friend's flask. But was it deliberate?'
Shirley McKay - LINES OF INQUIRY Publisher: Soho Constable
Date: July 2010
Seventh in the series set in medieval Glasgow, featuring the Archbishop's investigator, Gil Cunningham. From BooksFromScotland.com: 'Danny Gibson and Nanty Bothwell, rivals for the affections of Agnes Renfrew, the apothecary's pretty daughter, are also good friends. When they both take part in the festive play at the house of Gil's sister Kate, it ends in Danny's death, apparently by poison from his friend's flask. But was it deliberate?'
Publisher: Polygon
Date: May 2010
Second in the Hew Cullan series set in late 16th century St Andrews. From the Fantastic Fiction website: 'The year is 1581, and the young St Andrews academic Hew Cullan is unhappy with his life and disillusioned with the law. After his father's death, he is invited by the advocate Richard Cunningham to complete his legal education in Edinburgh as Richard's pupil at the bar. Hew resists, but, later, as he looks through his father's things, he finds a manuscript entitled 'In Defence of the Law'.With it is the promise of publication from the Edinburgh printer, Christian Hall. Hew resolves to deliver the manuscript, and takes up Richard's offer. He is surprised to find Christian Hall is a young widow, the mother of a small child. Hew is attracted to Christian, but as they grow close it becomes apparent that the relationship is fraught with danger. Christian is under attack, culminating in the brutal killing of her nursemaid and the disappearance of her child. As Hew begins a frantic bid to find Christian's son, he suspects links with the murder of a young girl in St Andrews. The truth lies much closer to home.'
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