Catch up with Val at the Edinburgh Festival! She is doing lots of events this summer so head over to our Events page to find out where she is going to be.
You can even see her strutting her stuff on stage (23rd August –details) with the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers…
Val Says: Here’s a glimpse into the secret world of Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers in rehearsal. Getting ready for our gigs at the Edinburgh Book Festival and Bloody Scotland. It’s been a while since I strutted my stuff on stage but finally I get to live the dream of the rock star life. Not.
BARRHEAD author Chris Brookmyre has been toasting success after winning the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.
Chris earned the prestigious prize for his book Black Widow, which features one of his most popular characters – investigative journalist Jack Parlabane.
And it was a case of fourth time lucky for the talented writer, having been pipped at the post in previous bids to win the award.
“I’m really quite taken aback,” said Chris. “I’ve been shortlisted three times for this award – always the bridesmaid. Today, I get to walk up the aisle.”
The Barrhead man saw off competition from top crime writers such as Val McDermid, Eva Dolan, Sabine Durrant, Mick Herron and Susie Steiner to win the 2017 award.
Scottish author Chris Brookmyre has been named as the winner of a major crime-writing prize, beating renowned crime novelist Val McDermid to the accolade.
Brookmyre’s cyber-abuse effort Black Widow – which features his long-time character investigative detective Jack Parlabane – scooped the Theakston Old Peculier crime novel of the year award at the annual ceremony.
He was up against fellow Scottish writer McDermid for her 2016 novel Out Of Bounds, part of her Inspector Karen Pirie series, who previously won the title in 2006 and who last year won the ceremony’s top prize, the outstanding contribution to crime fiction award.