I’m thrilled to be taking part once again in the Bloody Scotland blog tour and share with you a few events/hidden gems I’m excited about attending. I was asked to share one of each, but if you know me, when it comes to crime fiction and crime festivals … I can be a bit of a rule breaker 😉 Truth be told, there are SO MANY events I’d like to attend (and will be attending) but let’s get into the main two!
What I’m Excited About:
I love the fact that Bloody Scotland offers debut novelists the opportunity to be a part of the festival and promote their releases with the Crime in the Spotlight opportunity and the debut prize (see below). This year I’m even more excited because two people I know are up for the prize: Suzy Aspley and her INCREDIBLE debut CROW MOON published by Orenda and Doug Sinclair, (who is an attendee of Crime & Publishment so I feel like I proud mama bear) with his debut BLOOD RUNS DEEP published by Storm. Incredibly proud of and excited for them both! All the books sound great and no doubt will be bought by me to get signed (except Doug’s because I already bought a signed copy! 😝) Here’s more about the event 👇🏻
Debut Prize Panel Friday 13th September, 16:30, Central Library
The Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year may not be the snappiest prize title around but it’s undoubtedly among the most sought after. This year’s first novels have been whittled down to just five and the authors will discuss their books before making their way to the prize ceremony in the Albert Halls.
The 2024 finalists hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Kate Foster are: Suzy Aspley for Crow Moon; Daniel Aubrey for Dark Island; Allan Gaw for The Silent House of Sleep; Doug Sinclair for Blood Runs Deep; and Martin Stewart for Double Proof.
This event will be chaired by BBC journalist Pauline McLean.
My Hidden Gem Pick:
I’m a sucker for true crime, my background in Probation and education is probably a giveaway but crime has always fascinated me so when I saw this on the programme, I immediately choose it as a must attend! Here’s more about the event 👇🏻
True Crime: Henry Hemming – Four Shots in the Night Friday 13th September, 15:00, Holy Trinity Church
1986: The body of an undercover British agent is found by the side of a lane in Northern Ireland, a rope tied around his wrists and tape over his eyes. 2016: A police detective probes reports that the killer was another undercover British agent, a man known as ‘Stakeknife’. The largest murder investigation in British history begins.
Henry Hemming is the author of Four Shots in the Night, an extraordinary work of investigative journalism that reads like a thriller as it exposes the parallel worlds of the IRA and British Intelligence and tells the story of one detective’s pursuit of justice.
This event will be chaired by Frankie Burr.
How awesome does this sound!?
So here comes the breaking of the rules. I’m going to share TWO MORE panels which should be on people’s radars 👀
Cosy Killers: Sally Smith, Ian Moore, Orlando Murrin Friday 13th September, 15:00, Golden Lion
‘Cosy’ was – shamefully – a bit of a negative label in the crime writing world until its incredible, chart-topping explosion in recent years exposed its wit, inventiveness and charm for all to see. Here are three of its best executioners. Sally Smith’s A Case of Mice and Murder is a delightfully cunning mystery set in the world of London’s law courts in 1901. Ian Moore’s Death in Le Jardin is un libre fantastique as a housekeeper is accused of murder in rural France. Knife Skills For Beginners is a delicious slice of murder mystery from former MasterChef semi-finalist Orlando Murrin.
Toxic: Tove Alsterdal, Ajay Close and Araminta Hall Saturday 14th September, 17:30, Trinity Church.
Misogyny and toxic masculinity lie at the heart of three daring, important crime novels from authors with the storytelling skills to voice the fears and rage of a generation – and generations before them.
Long-buried memories and uncomfortable family truths are dredged up alongside a body from a Swedish river in Tove Alsterdal’s disturbing thriller Deep Harbour. Ajay Close’s powerful What Doesn’t Kill Us packs an emotional punch as a killer stalks the streets and women fight back in 1970s Leeds. One of the Good Guys is Araminta Hall’s fearless, groundbreaking exploration of aggressive masculinity wrapped up in a murderous tale.
The author and podcaster Zoe Venditozzi will chair this event.
And finally… a couple more events that I’m excited to attend:
So there you have it! I’ll be attending as many of the panels that I can and no doubt coming home with a massive book haul (and yes, I’ll be sharing them all over my socials so watch this space!) I’ll also be taking loads of pics and filming content so you’ve been warned!
