It would have been a crime to miss this at the library
KIRSTEN MCSTAY
Award-winning author Christopher Brookmyre staged a sold-out event in Strathaven last week.
The Scots crime novelist was there to mark the first anniversary of the opening of the Avondale Community Wing, which also houses the village’s library.
And he hosted the event alongside his wife Dr Marisa Haetzman – after recently penning their first novel together, The Way of all Flesh, under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry.
They talked about the collaboration to an enthralled audience and guests were also able to pick up signed copies of the novel, which is set in Victorian Edinburgh and is described as ‘a tale of medicine, money and murder’.
Community librarian Liz Rodger, said: “Chris and Marisa gave an engaging account of how they had worked together to write the book. They were humorous and friendly and I think the audience found the subject, and many of Marisa’s real-life insights, fascinating.
“A good Q & A followed on both the book, and their experience of working together on this project. Chris even surprised us with news that he was playing at Glastonbury as part of the group the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. Authors
“We certainly hope this is the first of many such successful events at Avondale Community Wing.”
Christopher has penned more than 20 books, including Black Widow, and is winner of both the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year and the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year. As a writer of crime, he places his narratives within a clever mix of comedy, politics and social comment.
Marisa, meanwhile, is a consultant anaesthetist of 20 years’ experience, whose research for her master’s degree in the history of medicine uncovered the material upon which The Way of all Flesh was based.