Authors, experts, actors on Bloody Scotland bill

Bloody Scotland launched its 2018 programme on Monday with the help of bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith.

While Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh will close the festival on September 23, the gala opening takes place on Friday September 21 when the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year will be presented.

Denise Mina and Val McDermid will then lead a torchlight procession - which the public are encouraged to take part in - to their event, followed by a performance from the Fun Lovin’CrimeWriters.

Other leading authors on the programme include Louise Penny, Ann Cleeves, Chris Brookmyre, Mark Billingham, Peter James, Stuart Macbride, Quintin Jardine, Denzil Meyrick, Martyn Waites and Bloody Scotland board members old (Lin Anderson, Craig Robertson, Gordon Brown) and new (Abir Mukherjee).

There are also experts in their field including BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, forensic scientists Dr Richard Shepherd and Professor Sue Black, Kate Bendelow, author of The Real CSI and consultant anaesthetist, Dr Marisa Haetzman who forms the other half of Ambrose Parry along with husband Chris Brookmyre.

Two book to TV events are being held. MC Beaton will appear with cast and crew of her Agatha Raisin series and Helen Fitzgerald with an actor from the new TV adaptation of The Cry.

On the international front Bloody Scotland has a special relationship with the Word Festival in Christchurch and will be welcoming Fiona Sussman and Paul Cleave, two winners of the Ngaio Marsh Prize.

There will be the usual nurturing of new talent and plus aspiring authors get the chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of publishers and agents. Alison Belsham who won Pitch Perfect two years ago will be back this year with her debut The Tattoo Thief which has just been published by Trapeze.

The Golden Lion will remain the social hub of the festival including a Waterstones bookshop and bar. The Albert Halls will remain the largest venue with capacity for 700 and also in use will be Allan Park South Church, with bookshops at each.

There continues to be a discount for local residents, tickets for the unemployed and improved disabled access with a mini bus between venues for those who need it.

Favourites such as a quiz, a play and the Scotland v England crime writers football match will all be back along with a live podcast hosted by Steve Cavanagh and Luca Veste. There will also be the festival’s first ever musical, an original piece from the pen of Sophie Hannah.

Alexander, author of the‘No1 Ladies Detective Agency’series, said:“Bloody Scotland was started comparatively recently but has already established itself as one of the most popular of these festivals - I am delighted to be involved.”