Lessons Learned from Crime Writists

Mes Amis

Last night, two gracious and charmingly witty crime writers appeared in Dundee. Yes, Stuart MacBride and Aline Templeton romped into our fair city with their minds set on death, destruction and rock and roll

Or a panel about their crime writing. One or the other.

Anyway, as I was assisting to moderate the panel for Dundee Book Events (what with being an expert on the genre and all) I certainly enjoyed hearing the following slices of information:

1) DI Insch is definitely a manifestation of MacBride's inner child (don't know what that says about what happens to the poor fellow in Flesh House right enough).

2) Ms Templeton is mild mannered and considered unless you dare to mention the trams that are being resurected in Edinburgh. Then she will be pushed to murder. But she won't kill anyone except the man responsible for that. Oh, no.

3) If MacBride could get away with one crime, it wouldn't be murder. Oh, no, he would rob the ex-head of RBS of a few million quid. Although if murder happened along the way, we're not sure that anyone would mind.

4) As Alfred Hitchcock discovered with Psycho, certain readers (in Hitchcock's case, viewers) often see things happen that are not on the page (or the screen). And are ready to complain vociferously about what exists only in their minds.

5) Never before at a book signing have I heard the words, "Can you include more Dyce?" from a reader.

6) According to Aline Templeton, all writing reverts back to childhood. She was a country child who moved to the city and writes about the country. MacBride was a city child who moved to the country and writes about the city.

7) It appears I am MacBride's Mini-Me. A fact confirmed when a gentleman pressed a copy of Blind Eye into my hand - after having just watched the author talk for an hour - and asked me to sign it.

Two great writers, two great sports and one happy audience.

Au revoir

Russel