Crime writer brings murder and mayhem to disturb tranquil idyll
Launch to be held at Brodick library
Edinburgh may have Rebus and Glasgow, Taggart, but now Brodick is setting the scene for murder and mayhem with its own detective.
Crime writer and six-time CWA Dagger nominee, Tony Black, has brought DI Bob Valentine to the island for his latest murder mystery, A Taste of Ashes.
And Tony, 43, who moved to the island to finish writing the novel earlier this year, is now preparing to launch the book in Brodick library.
‘It’s been a great move for my family and for my writing. The new book just flew out while I’ve been on Arran,’ he said. ‘We’re living in Kildonan now and I’ve been out and about on the island, fleshing the book’s locations out.
‘It’s a fabulous setting, not just for the scenery, but the people and the way of life.
‘Bob, my detective, starts the story in Ayr, but when one of his suspects flees to Arran, he takes the case over the water.Bob tends to be a bit moany about auld Ayr and what it’s become lately, so it was nice to put him in Arran which he clearly enjoyed a lot more.’
Tony has written 12 novels and A Taste of Ashes is the follow-up to his critical- ly-acclaimed Artefacts of the Dead, the first novel in a new crime series to feature Bob Valentine, a hard-headed detective with not only his caseload to worry about.
Tony started writing the novel while visiting Kildonan and staying at Whin House on the coast in February - and promptly made the village his permanent home soon after.
The author, who Irvine Welsh describes as his ‘favourite British crime writer’ says it was a ‘great move’.
‘Arran feels like home now. We’ve been coming here for years, but settling down and getting the feel of the place is something altogether different. I’m really looking forward to the book launch in Brodick. We had to launch on Arran, it just felt like the only place to bring the book into the world.’
Tony will be in conversation with Scottish writer and television host, Douglas Skelton at Brodick library on Wednesday, September 30, at 7pm. Entry is free and drinks and refreshments will be provided. A Taste of Ashes was published by Black & White Publishing in paperback and eBook on Thursday. A special eBook offer is available for a limited time on Amazon.