THE writer Alexander McCall Smith has told the audience of the Edinburgh International Book Festival more details of his new 'Nordic Noir' books.
His new book will be set in Sweden, and will feature the adventures of a Malmo based detective and his deaf dog, who can lip read.
The writer of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and others, said he has been inspired by the success of Swedish and Danish thrillers and TV series.
"I couldn't resist because of all the enjoyment we were getting from Scandinavian noir," he told the audience in the Main Theatre.
"I think that there is no reason why Scandinavian crime writers should have all the fun, and we should be able to join in."
The first novel in the series is called The Department of Sensitive Crimes, and features a detective called Ulf Varg, and his dog, Martin.
"Ulf works in the department, in Malmo, and like all Scandinavian detectives he has a background that is slightly odd, he's had a difficult marriage, his wife ran away with a hypnotist," he said.
"Martin is hearing impaired, and is the only lip reading dog in Sweden, but he can only lip read in Swedish.
"I have had such fun writing this book, I wrote it it in about two months, so it is coming out in New York and London in the spring, and they are launching it as a series."
www.edbookfest.co.uk
BLOODY SCOTLAND, the crime writing festival, has revealed the new writers which will be part of its Crime in the Spotlight project this year.
The writers are paired with established authors as ‘support’ acts during the festival.
The Open University continues its support as sponsor and authors ‘In the Spotlight’ this year include Andy Muir, a former scriptwriter for Home & Away and Neighbours who is paired with Irvine Welsh, and Mysti Berry from the US who has been paired with MC Beaton.
The other writers are Ian Patrick, who will support Val McDermid and Denise Mina, Heleen Kist who will support Lin Anderson, Craig Robertson and Dr Kathy Charles, Andrew Reid who will support Frank Gardner, Chris Curran will support Stuart Macbride, Allan Watson is paired with Ambrose Parr and Marisa Haetzman.
GB Williams is paired with Peter James, CS McLean is the support for Two Crime Writers and a Microphone, Daniel Smith is supporting Professor Sue Black, William Graham is the support for Quintine Jardine, while the noted poet Claire Askew is the support act for Ann Cleeves and Louise Penny, and CS Duffy will be the support act for The Real CSI featuring Kate Bendelow with Mark Billingham.
www.bloodyscotland.com
Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit at the Fringe raised over £30,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity.
The Fringe producers have matched the £15,000 taken at the box office for the sell-out event at the McEwan Hall.
The line-up included Susan Calman in her only Fringe appearance this year, joined by Joel Dommett, Nish Kumar, Zoe Lyons, David O’Doherty and Rhys Nicholson.
Underbelly continues to raise money for the charity.
There will be bucket-shakers across Underbelly sites throughout the Fringe and there is now a Just Giving page.
www.justgiving.com/underbellyedinburgh.
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