Crime writing queen Val reveals ‘Bloody’ best list
The undisputed Queen of Crime Val McDermid has revealed her top four ones to watch of crime fiction, all of whom will join her coveted ‘New Blood’ panel at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
The hotly tipped emerging ‘New Blood’ authors are ...
Sixteen Horses by Greg Buchanan
One Night, New York by Lara Thompson
The Colours of Death by Patricia Marques
Tall Bones by Anna Bailey
Since 2004 the best-selling Scottish author of the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series has curated an annual celebration of the most formidable debuts taking the crime and thriller genre by storm at the world’s largest and most prestigious crime fiction festival.
The unveiling of McDermid’s selection has become one of the most anticipated moments of the publishing calendar with readers on the lookout to uncover their new favourite author and add the ‘next big thing’ to their bookshelves.
This year Greg Buchanan has been selected for his dark and haunting debut novel Sixteen Horses; Lara Thompson is on the list for her atmospheric portrait of crime in the Big Apple during the Great Depression titled One Night, New York; Patricia Marques is recognised for her genre-bending fantasycrime crossover The Colours of Death; and concluding New Blood contingent is Anna Bailey with her nuanced thriller exploring the depths of male violence against women, Tall Bones.
McDermid said: “Murder and mayhem – on page and on screen, have become our staple diet during the past year-and-a-half of lockdowns.
“The world’s love of crime fiction has continued to go from strength to strength so I take this opportunity to share my tips for who to read next very seriously!
“It’s with genuine pleasure that I invite these four extraordinarily talented authors to join me to discuss
not just their unique stories
and styles but also what makes a good crime novel great and why do we turn to this genre in times of trouble?”
Former ‘New Blood’ alumni include Clare Mackintosh, SJ Watson, Stuart MacBride, Liam McIlvanney and Belinda Bauer, as well as two of the authors vying for the title of Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2021: Abir Mukherjee and Trevor Wood.
As part Harrogate International Festivals’ yearround programme of events, each year the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival welcomes the world’s famous authors each year to Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel – the scene of Agatha Christie’s mysterious disappearance in 1926 – for a celebration of the crime genre like no other.
It runs from Thursday July 22 until Sunday July 25. The ‘New Blood’ panel is on
Saturday July 24.
Rebus author Ian Rankin has programmed the event this year.
Guests include producer and presenter Richard Osman with the second instalment in his record-breaking cosy crime caper The Thursday Murder Club series.
Also appearing are espionage expert Mick Herron, author of the highly acclaimed Slough House series, and mystery maestro Elly Griffiths and her latest Ruth Galloway whodunnit.
Fans’ favourite Vera and Shetland author Ann Cleeves and the masterful Mark Billingham with his Tom Thorne prequel Cry Baby are also on the guest list.
The event will continue with four days of unmissable talks and panels from crime writing royalty such as the queens of domestic noir Clare Mackintosh and CL Taylor in conversation.