Line-up unveiled for crime writing festival with guest programmer Sir Ian Rankin
Authors Kate Atkinson, Kathy Reichs and Jo Nesbo will be among those appearing at an 'incredibly welcoming' crime writing festival guest programmed by Sir Ian Rankin.
The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival schedule unveiled on Thursday also features Horrible Histories author Terry Deary, doctor turned comedian Adam Kay and broadcasters Steph McGovern, Jeremy Vine and the Rev Richard Coles.
Sir Ian, creator of the detective John Rebus, is the first guest programmer for the festival, which takes place in Stirling in September.
In a nod to the police officer, the programme also includes James McPherson who made his name in Taggart and narrates the Rebus audiobooks, and former Coronation Street star Gray O'Brien, who recently played Rebus on stage.
Scottish writers on the line-up include Chris Brookmyre (with Marisa Haetzman as Ambrose Parry), Denise Mina, Graeme Macrae Burnet, Alex Gray, Lin Anderson and Judy Murray.
Sir Ian said he has some experience of programming as he has been involved in a small festival in Cromarty, and he was thrilled everyone he asked to take part in Bloody Scotland agreed.
He said: 'You get in touch with writers you admire, you say we've got a festival going on, would you fancy coming along? I'll be interviewing you on stage, and nobody said, no, which is a real thrill.
'So we've got everybody from Philippe Sands, who's a human rights lawyer, talking about human rights violations in South America, to Kate Atkinson talking about Edinburgh and other things as well, Kathy Reichs coming from North America.
'We've got a whisky and music night, which will be fantastic with two musicians who've turned their hands to writing books, and a bunch of other stuff besides.'
Sir Ian said the festival includes a wide selection of authors ranging from the cosy to the 'hard-boiled', as well as non-fiction writers.
He added: 'It's an incredibly welcoming festival. The fans, the readers, the authors all mingle. There's no differentiation between them because all the authors are also fans.'
Festival director Bob McDevitt said: 'It has been an absolute joy working with the legendary Sir Ian Rankin on this year's programme and I think he has helped to deliver one of our strongest-ever line-ups.
'There are so many treats in store for our audiences this year, from established names writing at the very top of their game to brand new voices bringing a different perspective to the crime genre – roll on September.'
Others appearing include actor Joey Batey who was in The Witcher on Netflix, Chris Chibnall, creator and writer of Broadchurch, and American crime writer Laura Lippman who will be on stage with Mark Billingham.
Fringe events at the festival this year will include a 'Day of the Deid' procession led by Sir Ian and the winners of the two prizes, and Sir Ian's Whisky Night with songs from James Yorkston and Colin MacIntyre.
Alan Bett, head of literature and publishing at Creative Scotland said: 'Bloody Scotland brings the big names of crime writing to Stirling each year, and 2025 offers an incredible list of authors, enhanced by Ian Rankin's role as guest programmer.
'Of huge importance is the platforming of emergent writers. Bloody Scotland provides new Scottish authors the opportunity to launch their careers and build readerships, and for Scotland's fans of crime fiction, the chance to find their next favourite book.'
The festival takes place in various venues including the Albert Halls, Trinity Church, Central Library and The Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling from September 12-14.
Sir Ian previously said: 'Bloody Scotland manages to remain the world's friendliest and most inclusive crime fiction festival while also attracting the biggest and brightest names in the business to the city of Stirling. It's epic.'
The author has been involved in Bloody Scotland since its inception, has captained the Scotland crime writers' football team and has led the event's torchlight procession through the streets of Stirling.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
David Beckham sends wife Victoria into hysterics with his latest gardening adventures as he makes a very shocking discovery in his carrot patch
sent his wife Victoria into hysterics with his latest gardening adventures as he made a very shocking discovery in his carrot patch. Taking to Instagram, the football legend, 50, happily showcased his collection of quirky-looking carrots in his Cotswolds home. The famed couple were seen spending some time together in their garden as David rummaged through his plot. Playfully taking a clip of her husband, Victoria, 51, could be heard laughing away as David discovered his latest crop of vegetables had grown into a non-conventional shape. As David excitedly pulled his vegetable out of the ground, he discovered that it had started to split at the end and grown in two different directions. Alongside the clip, he penned: 'Exciting day today in my veggie garden , CARROTS but not exactly what I expected but to be fair it had Lady Beckham laughing. @victoriabeckham sorry about my carrot' Victoria took to her own social media to gush over her husband and his passion project. She shared a picture of the funny shaped vegetable as well a clip of her husband showcasing his large red onions. The fashion designer then posted a pictured of her husband proudly stood in front of a sunset as they enjoyed their time in the garden. David showcased his green thumb as he gave a more in depth look at his passion project last year. He flaunted his bountiful harvest, with baskets brimming with potatoes, kale, carrots and cauliflower. David previously upgraded his £12m Cotswold farmhouse with an expensive Alitex greenhouse. Taking to Instagram at the time, David joked Victoria would be eating spring onions for lunch and dinner after a successful harvest. He wrote: 'Looks like @victoriabeckham has a few spring onions for lunch and dinner for the next few weeks How am I doing @alatichmarshmbe.' Victoria took to her own social media to gush over her husband and his passion project. She shared a picture of the funny shaped vegetable as well a clip of her husband showcasing his large red onions David added he was suffering from hay fever, but it certainly didn't stop from continuing his outdoor occupations. 'Not bad for my first try,' he said. As well as gardening David previously shocked and delighted fans during lockdown when he revealed his newfound passion for beekeeping. The ex-footballer fell in love with the hobby during the pandemic and even installed the hive in his garden - often sharing insights into the task with his followers. In 2016, the family bought their converted barn in the Cotswolds, which has become a hub for the sports icon's new projects.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Stephen Mulhern dropped from £1m Butlins magic show deal in latest career blow after Dancing on Ice & game show canned
TV's Stephen Mulhern has been dropped from his £1million deal with holiday camp giant Butlin's. The Saturday Night Takeway star will not return to his sell-out shows after this summer. 3 ITV host Stephen, 48, has appeared for the past three years at the chain's centres at Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness. But his lucrative deal for the weekend performances will not be renewed at the end of this year. A source said: 'Stephen has been a massive hit with holidaymakers. 'He began his career as a Redcoat and has kept families brilliantly entertained.' The end of the deal comes after Mulhern collapsed in a Pizza Express in Sunningdale, Berkshire, late last year. He was also left devastated by the death of his father Christopher, who taught him magician tricks as a child. In March, ITV announced that Dancing On Ice - which he hosted with close pal Holly Willoughby - would not return next year. And his game show In For A Penny, which saw Stephen head to different places around the UK to challenge members of the public, was shelved by ITV after six series. But he is due to start to start filming for his challenge show You Bet! on Tour next week — without Holly, after she quit the show in March. Stephen, a close pal of Ant and Dec, started out in children's TV in 2001 when he was the presenter of the game show Finger Tips. Watch the moment Stephen Mulhern is left red-faced as he makes HUGE blunder on Catchphrase puzzle He presented his first show with Holly in 2004 when they worked together on Children's TV show Ministry Of Mayhem. The magician launched Tricky TV on CITV in 2005, which he presented until 2010. During this time, he was handpicked by bosses to front the ITV2 spin-off for Britain's Got Talent. He presented Britain's Got More Talent until the cancellation of the spin-off in 2019. A Butlin's spokesperson said: 'Stephen has been an incredible part of the Butlin's experience and continues to be a valued member of the family. 'Stephen's much-loved live show won't return in 2026 after three fantastic years, but we're thrilled to be working together on ongoing projects this autumn.' A spokesman for Stephen said: 'Stephen has absolutely loved being part of the Butlin's family — performing his stage shows in front of thousands of holiday makers across the country and the relationship with Butlin's remains hugely positive. 'This change allows Stephen to explore new opportunities in the family holiday space – something he's incredibly passionate about.' 3
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Dump Kneecap from Glastonbury line-up demands Starmer after member of group charged with terror offence
THE Prime Minister has called for Glastonbury to axe Kneecap from its line-up after a band member was charged with a terror offence. Sir Keir Starmer said it is 'not appropriate' for the Irish hip hop group to cash in at the festival. 2 2 Rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh, appeared in court last week accused of displaying a flag in support of banned terror group Hezbollah at a gig. O hAnnaidh, 27, who goes by the stage name Mo Chara, was bailed until later in the summe r — leaving him free to play at Glastonbury. Asked by The Sun on Sunday if he thinks Kneecap should play, the PM, left, said: 'No I don't. 'I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won't say too much, because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate.' The Belfast group are due to play the West Holts Stage on Saturday. Bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh have supported O hAnnaidh. They said at court: 'For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on Saturday. 'If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC. Most importantly: free, free Palestine.' The BBC last night faced pressure not to air Kneecap's set, after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'It should not be rewarding extremism.' A spokesman for the broadcaster said: 'Decisions on our output will be made in the lead up to the festival.'
