Author Tony in conversation at book launch
Author Tony Black launched his latest novel at Brodick Library last week, discussing how Arran has helped inspire his latest crime tale.
More than 30 avid readers attended the event which saw Tony in conversation with Scottish writer and television host, Douglas Skelton.
Tony, who moved to Arran earlier this year, has brought his fictional detective, DI Bob Valentine, to the island for his latest murder mystery, A Taste of Ashes.
Great move
Tony, 43, told the audience: ‘It’s been a great move for my family and for my writing. The new book just flew out whilst I’ve been on Arran.
‘We’re living in Kildonan now but I’ve been out and about on the island, fleshing the book’s locations out.’
Tony has written 12 novels and A Taste of Ashes is the follow-up to Tony’s critically-acclaimed Artefacts of the Dead, the first novel in a new crime series to feature Bob Valentine, the hard-headed detective who has a lot more than just his caseload to worry about.
‘Bob’s recovering from a vicious stabbing in the line of duty. He took a knife in the heart and officially died in surgery, only to find his outlook on life had changed dramatically when he pulled through,’ Tony said.
‘His intuition seems to have heightened and he has an al- most supernatural element to his identification with his victims that terrifies him as much as it fascinates him.’
Insight
During the launch, Tony read several pages of the book to give the audience an insight into the character of the detective.
After their discussion, Douglas invited members of the audience for their input and a lively question and answer session followed. Afterwards, Tony signed copies of the book.
A Taste of Ashes is published by Black and White Publishing in paperback and eBook and is on sale in several shops on Arran as well as online.