British crime writers getting in touch with their inner child, Rankin "retiring" Rebus and a slew of new crime and thriller releases. Our correspondent from the UK book trade, Russel McLean, reports in the first of his new monthly columns

I’m still not sure I can define what a “thriller” is, although I know greater than me have tried. I heard someone mention that it’s a book that makes you turn the pages, but of course, I think any book should be making you do that. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Anyway, with the blessing of David Hewson telling me that “it’s not cosy” I feel I can comfortably cover a whole range of crime writers in this monthly column looking at thriller writers in the UK (and occasionally beyond, because… well, its my column!).

Summer’s over, and that means the literary festivals are slowing down… for the winter period, we can hope that newspapers will find something other than alleged “gender disputes” (Val McDermid and Ian Rankin) or spats between traditional crime writers and their modern thriller counterparts (David Roberts and Mark Billingham, whose debate from Harrogate was aired on Radio 4 here in the UK) to fill their literary columns.

From the point of view of a crime bookseller, of course, these things do little to quell the tide of sales. Most book buyers barely seem to pay attention to such things in store, simply looking out for the book that appeals to them.

And that’s always a good thing.

Quercus Folk
Great news that independent publisher Quercus is adding a new paperback wing to its operation. These guys have already made me a happy boy by bringing out Wambaugh and Stark’s latest in handsome UK editions, and while they seem to have an odd affinity for Australian writers (Peter Temple, Will Elliot et al) they have a supreme eye for quality. I haven’t read the British thriller, Die For Me by Elena Forbes yet, but a fellow bookseller informs me that it is very good indeed. Great, another one to add to the mountain of must-reads… (like I’d ever complain about that). The paperback wing, run by Ron Beard, will be releasing 70 titles in its first year. As a bookseller, I

You know… for kids…
With Colin Bateman (Sorry, its just Bateman, now, with first names seemingly quite uncool) having dabbled (more than a few times) in the genre, another excellent thriller writer is turning his attention to kids books. Mark Billingham is releasing Triskellion – which sounds like a kind of fantasy/horror along the lines of Horrowitz’s power of five series – later this year. Have to admit, I’m jazzed to read this and have been promised an ARC by our children’s bookseller, who is currently whizzing through the pages. She loved Bateman’s last effort for the kids, so its going to be interesting to see what she makes of Billingham, who I rate as one of the best British crime writers currently working. It is to be published under a pseudonym (Will Petersen), but sadly not the author’s original choice of “Nosferatu Blyton”.

It wouldn’t be a thriller column without…
…mentioning the fact that Ian Rankin’s Rebus series (allegedly) came to an end this month with Exit Music. I say allegedly, because every newspaper – and everyone’s granny – seems to have a different story on what Rankin will be doing post-Rebus. I’ve yet to read the book, so don’t try and tell me what happens. Or I’ll rip your legs off.

Rankin himself didn’t even spoil the outcome during his recent trip to Dundee, where he came over as an entertaining and thoroughly genuine guy. He was also unfazed by the large queues that had us booksellers running around in a blind panic.

As ever, hints were dropped that despite Exit Music being the last Rebus book where he’s a cop, we may see him again. But these were only tantalising and unfounded hints. And with Rankin's talk of writing an operetta, I found myself wondering, can we expect to see Rebus: The Musical hit the stage sometime soon?
 
Brits Unleashed…
Some new British thrillers coming out in September and October…

Chameleon’s Shadow By Minette Walters will no doubt be as unsettling – and as popular – as ever!

Name to a Face by Robert Goddard looks a very ambitious novel covering a huge time scale and should be boosted by his appearance on this year’s Theakston’s Longlist.

The Killing Ground by Jack Higgins means that the venerable master of the action thriller will be starting to take up another shelf in section. With an extremely loyal fan base dedicated to his series character Sean Dillon, this should do nicely and satisfy those adrenaline junkies.

In the Frame by John Francome sees yet another old hand return, with more horse-racing thrills and deception.

Faces by Martina Cole is going to be hard to keep on the shelf. Each new book by the Mistress of the (fictional) London Underworld seems more popular than the last. No doubt Hodder will be pushing her latest hard to make sure none of her army of fans miss this slice of Underworld drama.

The Gilded Seal by James Twining is probably one of the newest authors to get an October release, but his name is one getting more and more acclaim, so now is the time to get onboard. Art Heists, thieves and FBI agents meet in what sounds like one hell of a ride.

The Last Word…
This column will no doubt undergo changes and tweaks as the months progress. The remit is very wide, all things considered, but I intend to keep an eye on the British thriller scene as best I can. So if you have any news, comments, queries or even just want to say hello, feel free to contact me at: russelmclean@thrillerwriters.org. I can’t promise to get back to you immediately, but rest assured, I’ll be touched that you took the time to write…

Russel McLean is a Scottish bookseller who specialises in crime and mystery fiction. He has had short stories published in a variety of markets, has run an online fanzine dedicated to crime fiction and tends to lurk near the bar at as many crime conventions as he can attend. Visit his review/interview hub at www.crimescenescotland.com or contact him at russelmclean@thrillerwriters.org.