This month, Russel races to meet his deadlines (again), John Connolly wins a poll with naught but a wink and a smile, Jennifer Jordan uncages thriller writers and David Peace denies charges of writing for genre.
June? Really? Already? Halfway through the year and I'm still writing '08 every time I try and note down the date.
Not withstanding, of course, I have as ever been trawling the darker edges of the UK writing scene to bring you news of your favourite crime and thriller writers both known and unknown. It's coming up to Festival time here in the UK, with Harrogate next month and Edinburgh the week after that. While later this month sees Dundee throw its own literary bash with some spectacular special guests. But before that kicks off, I am honour bound to point out that on 16 June both that rapscallion of crime writing Stuart MacBride and that most elegant of crime dames, Aline Templeton, will be appearing together for Dundee Book Events, of which more information can be found here: www.dundeebookevents.blogspot.com within the next few days.With that over, then, its time for our usual whistlestop tour of news, nonsense and unashamed plugs for the best of the UK crime and thriller writers...
IRISH EYES ARE SMILNG
On the front of the latest issue of Crime Spree magazine, there's a solitary figure staring out at the sea. He looks lost in thought, as though trying to figure some eternal conundrum like why serial killers always seem to have unlimited funds to carry out their nefarious schemes in certain thriller sub-genres.
That figure is, of course, none other than bestselling Irish author John Connolly. Whose new novel, THE LOVERS, will be out soon. Not soon enough for your humble host, of course, who is deeply excited to read the damn thing.
But as if the release of a new novel weren't enough reason for the great man to be excited, he has also beaten off the competition to emerge victorious as Ireland's Sexiest Crime Writer in the Crime Always Pays poll, where even being the host of CAP didn't allow Declan Burke to overtake Connolly's storming popularity. For more information, and to discover why Gene Kerrigan withdrew himself from the running, visit Burke's irreverent and always entertaining Irish-themed blog here: www.crimealwayspays.blogspot.com
PEACE OUT
Later in June, the Dundee International Literary Festival kicks off and not only will your humble host be appearing alongside Waterstone's "Scottish Book of the Month" pick from March, the estimable GJ Moffat (And no, your humble host is still unaware of what the G or the J stands for but shall endeavour to discover), author of the Glasgow-based thriller Daisy Chain, but there will be an extra special crime-related guest at this year's festival.
In case you couldn't guess from headline, it will be the author of the Red Riding Quartet, David Peace. Now, Peace probably doesn't consider himself a thriller writer, being as he's own record about his own 1974 as representing, "some of things I don't like about crime writing - violent, voyeuristic, over-done," but there is no denying that these four novels about corruption in the North Yorkshire Police force are among the most unique British thrillers written in recent years, and are riding a new wave of popularity through Channel 4's adaptations of 1974, 1980 and 1983. And again, his Tokyo Trilogy is shaping up to be noir of the bleakest kind, which means that I can justify myself in mentioning it here in this column.
To see him talk about his other novel, the one about Leeds United and Brian Clough (which is still quite brilliant, even if you don't follow football), while skipping around the edges of his other work, go to this interview here at the BBC.
COMPLAINTS FROM RANKIN
Not that the Godfather of Scots Crime Fiction has complained about this column, thank Goodness, but rather his latest novel is titled The Complaints, and sounds like an Edinburgh answer to the Richard Gere Movie Internal Affairs. Or not. Either way, its about cops who investigate other cops.
This interview from STV also covers Rankin's new career as a backing singer along with the Scots artist Jack Vettriano, and features a gratuitous appearance by Scottish sixties pop star, Lulu.
(UN) CAGE(D) MATCH!
Almost a year ago, your humble host had an "awesomely dark" short story published in one of the damn finest short story compilations in recent years. And now, that collection has been (possibly) topped by editor Jen Jordan's second collection of deliciously noiresque crime stories. As ever, there's an international flavour to proceedings and some top UK authors have made it past Jordan's deeply discriminating eye.
Allan Guthrie's contribution can also be found here at crimewav, and if you like that you should also check out his other novels while you're at it including the excellent new release, Slammer. Other UK contributors include the brilliant Martyn Waites (whose latest, Speak No Evil, is well worth checking out), the sublimely talented Declan Burke (your host at Crime Always Pays and author of Irish crime novel, The Big O) and the incredible Nick Stone (the unsettling and thrilling Mr Clarinet). On top of that, there's a fantastically intelligent and erudite introduction by "world's sexiest" Irish Crime Writer, Mr John Connolly.
BACK FROM BADSVILLE
Donna Moore is not only one of the most sparklingly witty and intelligent people you could hope to meet and the author of one of the most laugh-out-loud genre parodies I've read for years (Have you Gone To Helena Handbasket... yet?), but now she's turning her not inconsiderable talents to the world of blogging with the Scottish-theme Big Beat from Badsville (bonus points if you get the reference). So far, she's rounded up news about old and new-to-me authors galore in her usual, inimitable and warm style. So if you're looking to learn about Scots crime, I'd head on over there. Right now.
Until next month, my friends, take care...
Russel McLean
On the front of the latest issue of Crime Spree magazine, there's a solitary figure staring out at the sea. He looks lost in thought, as though trying to figure some eternal conundrum like why serial killers always seem to have unlimited funds to carry out their nefarious schemes in certain thriller sub-genres.That figure is, of course, none other than bestselling Irish author John Connolly. Whose new novel, THE LOVERS, will be out soon. Not soon enough for your humble host, of course, who is deeply excited to read the damn thing.
But as if the release of a new novel weren't enough reason for the great man to be excited, he has also beaten off the competition to emerge victorious as Ireland's Sexiest Crime Writer in the Crime Always Pays poll, where even being the host of CAP didn't allow Declan Burke to overtake Connolly's storming popularity. For more information, and to discover why Gene Kerrigan withdrew himself from the running, visit Burke's irreverent and always entertaining Irish-themed blog here: www.crimealwayspays.blogspot.com
PEACE OUT
Later in June, the Dundee International Literary Festival kicks off and not only will your humble host be appearing alongside Waterstone's "Scottish Book of the Month" pick from March, the estimable GJ Moffat (And no, your humble host is still unaware of what the G or the J stands for but shall endeavour to discover), author of the Glasgow-based thriller Daisy Chain, but there will be an extra special crime-related guest at this year's festival.In case you couldn't guess from headline, it will be the author of the Red Riding Quartet, David Peace. Now, Peace probably doesn't consider himself a thriller writer, being as he's own record about his own 1974 as representing, "some of things I don't like about crime writing - violent, voyeuristic, over-done," but there is no denying that these four novels about corruption in the North Yorkshire Police force are among the most unique British thrillers written in recent years, and are riding a new wave of popularity through Channel 4's adaptations of 1974, 1980 and 1983. And again, his Tokyo Trilogy is shaping up to be noir of the bleakest kind, which means that I can justify myself in mentioning it here in this column.
To see him talk about his other novel, the one about Leeds United and Brian Clough (which is still quite brilliant, even if you don't follow football), while skipping around the edges of his other work, go to this interview here at the BBC.
COMPLAINTS FROM RANKIN
Not that the Godfather of Scots Crime Fiction has complained about this column, thank Goodness, but rather his latest novel is titled The Complaints, and sounds like an Edinburgh answer to the Richard Gere Movie Internal Affairs. Or not. Either way, its about cops who investigate other cops.
This interview from STV also covers Rankin's new career as a backing singer along with the Scots artist Jack Vettriano, and features a gratuitous appearance by Scottish sixties pop star, Lulu.
(UN) CAGE(D) MATCH!
Almost a year ago, your humble host had an "awesomely dark" short story published in one of the damn finest short story compilations in recent years. And now, that collection has been (possibly) topped by editor Jen Jordan's second collection of deliciously noiresque crime stories. As ever, there's an international flavour to proceedings and some top UK authors have made it past Jordan's deeply discriminating eye.Allan Guthrie's contribution can also be found here at crimewav, and if you like that you should also check out his other novels while you're at it including the excellent new release, Slammer. Other UK contributors include the brilliant Martyn Waites (whose latest, Speak No Evil, is well worth checking out), the sublimely talented Declan Burke (your host at Crime Always Pays and author of Irish crime novel, The Big O) and the incredible Nick Stone (the unsettling and thrilling Mr Clarinet). On top of that, there's a fantastically intelligent and erudite introduction by "world's sexiest" Irish Crime Writer, Mr John Connolly.
BACK FROM BADSVILLE
Donna Moore is not only one of the most sparklingly witty and intelligent people you could hope to meet and the author of one of the most laugh-out-loud genre parodies I've read for years (Have you Gone To Helena Handbasket... yet?), but now she's turning her not inconsiderable talents to the world of blogging with the Scottish-theme Big Beat from Badsville (bonus points if you get the reference). So far, she's rounded up news about old and new-to-me authors galore in her usual, inimitable and warm style. So if you're looking to learn about Scots crime, I'd head on over there. Right now.
Until next month, my friends, take care...
Russel McLean
