These Aye Mean Streets

L'IMPICATO

2012-01-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

Amici*

Just when you thought it was safe to go on Holiday, four madmen invade the beautiful country of Italy... yes, myself, Allan Guthrie, Victor Gischler and Derek Nikitas will be forming the advance guard of Revolver, a new Italian crime imprint edited by the wonderful Matteo Strukul.

Cover art for this new edition of my first novel was painted by SCALPED artist Davide Furno, which only adds to the level of cool for this great new imprint.

One day I hope to get over to Italy to promote this book, but in the meantime, I hope that the Italians dig the dark, violent and ever-so-slightly corrupt world of J McNee.

*with apologies to Charlie Stella for stealing his usual greeting, but in this case I feel the Italian connection is justified

The Death of Ronnie Sweets (and Other Stories) - now available for all ebook formats

2012-01-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Some time ago you may remember I posted about THE DEATH OF RONNIE SWEETS (and other stories) being finally available for the Kindle (US and UK). Well, those of you with other e-readers will appreciate that it has finally appeared at Smashwords for a measly $2 in all Ebook formats.

But wait, I hear you cry... what about the UK readers? Don't worry, you can still buy from Smashwords. I'm not exactly sure on the conversion rates but you can still buy from Smashwords at a price guaranteed under two quid - - for a smorgasbord of smashing stories featuring Dundee's first Private Investigator. Because before J McNee, there was Sam Bryson.

Still not convinced? Check reviews from Elizabeth A White and Eva Dolan. Or read two of the shorts that appear in the collection at Spinetingler Magazine and Thrilling Detective. If that hasn't whetted your appetite, I don't know what will!

These stories mean a lot to me. They were my first steps into the world of crime writing and damned if they don't still bring a smile to my face. And if you don't believe me, you can trust multi-award winning author Sean Chercover, who wrote one hell of an intro to the collection.

Thus endeth the promotion...

Au revoir

Russel

The Botany Free Post (with Mr Stephen Blackmoore)

2011-12-29T03:00:00.000-08:00

I first met Stephen Blackmoore - the genre writer, pictured, right with your beardy hero at the grave of Walter Mathau - in 2010. It was in the company of the always responsible Mme Christa Faust that our paths first crossed. And hell, I thought, this guy seems pretty cool. And he seems able to put up with my constant profanity.

There's no accounting for my judge of character.

Blackmoore the genre writer (there's a reason I keep calling him that, but I'll let him explain) was not only a deeply smart guy, but the pitch for his upcoming novel sounded ingenious - a crime novel that took in urban fantasy and horror elements, that put its lead through a kind of literal hell. That played with all kinds of genre conventions.

And you know what - his novel does all that and more. I've had the honour of reading an advance copy of the manuscript, and I'll tell you this: its one of the wittiest, most brutal novels I've read in ages. Its a pitch black noir with a dark, supernatural twist. Its Chandler meets Lovecraft meets Gaiman. Its... hell, its just a damn fine novel.

So I'm honoured that in order to promote CITY OF THE LOST, Blackmoore the genre writer wound up asking to guest post here at this infrequently updated blog. What the hell, I thought, he can only add a bit of class round here. So, for your reading pleasure, I am proud to prevent - uh, present - the author of CITY OF THE LOST, Mr (not Professor) Stephen Blackmoore:

Have I ever told you about the botanist Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh?

Let me back up for a second.

I have a novel coming out in the U.S. and U.K. next week titled CITY OF THE LOST. It's a dark urban fantasy about a thug in Los Angeles who is murdered, raised from the dead and finds himself in the middle of this Maltese Falcon-esque hunt for the object that brought him back. It is, in the words of Kirkus Reviews, "A head-shakingly perfect blend of zombie schlock, deadpan wit, startling profanity, desperate improvisation and inventive brilliance."

Startling profanity.

Now, I've gone through the book. Several times. While I was writing it. While I was getting notes on it. While it was being edited. I've looked for this startling profanity. And you know what?

There's a lot of it.

I mean, seriously. Out of 217 pages there are 244 fucks. I counted.

As one does.

Now a common thing I run into is that some people spell my name the way I spell my name, with two O's, and some people spell it with one. When my book was first put out in the catalogs that went out to the stores and websites like Amazon, Indie Bound, Barnes & Noble, etc. there was a slight glitch.

They spelled it with one O.

Some of those sites have corrected it, some haven't. I'm honestly surprised any of them bother to care. It doesn't bother me. I'm used to it. If you search for one spelling, Google asks if you want to do a search with the other. Either way, you're probably going to find me.

Or you're going to find Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

I'm sure he's a very nice man. He looks rather jolly. Very big teeth. And far better educated than I could ever hope to be. He's the fucking Queen's botanist, after all.

And that's why I kind of feel sorry for him. Because you see, he's also an author.

Atlas of Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants. Buttercups (Shire Natural History 06). Pollen and Spores: Patterns of Diversification.

And, according to Amazon, though they may have corrected it by now, but I doubt it, my book.

Now I know that no one's likely to confuse us. But I kind of worry that someone will. I don't mind having someone come up to me with a copy of Evolution, Systematics, and Fossil History of the Hamamelidae and asking me to sign it. The man's in Scotland for chrissakes. I'm happy to be his stand-in here in the States. I'll even lecture for him over here if he likes.

Hand me a speech, cut me in for a percentage of the speaker's fee and I am so fucking there.

But I'm not sure he'd feel the same way. I don't know if he would mind being associated with scenes of cannibalism, undead prostitutes and feral midgets.

And particularly the startling profanity.

Of course, he's also in Scotland and I have yet to meet a Scot who didn't understand that there is no English equivalent for "fuck off".

Maybe he'd be proud to be associated with it. I hope so. I hope more that he'd buy a copy and enjoy some of the "startling profanity" himself.

And more than that I hope (because this is, after all, a post on unrepentantly shilling my book) you'll buy a copy and enjoy some of the startling profanity yourself.

Many thanks to Mr. McLean for letting me usurp his blog for the day. Much appreciated, sir.

Stephen Blackmoore (not the botanist) can be found regularly blogging at LA Noir

Its the Ob

2011-12-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

By Russel D McLean (cross-posted at www.dosomedamage.com)

Still time to enter Russel’s competition – and did you know that for the rest of this month his short story e-collection THE DEATH OF RONNIE SWEETS (and other stories) is only 99c US and 86p UK? Available for Kindle (US and UK) and for other e-readers. He also asks that you please forgive this moment of blatant self-promotion.

Mes Amis

And so Christmas time approaches. One more week to go. Whaddaya mean you ain’t gone Christmas shopping? What, you were waiting for my recommendations of books to go buy? Apart from my own? (available from all good booksellers both physical and digital, you know - - and every copy sold helps me keep The Literary Critic in the style to which she is accustomed). But of course, I’m not the only starving author out there and the following is a list of ten books from the last year I think you really need to buy. Either for yourself, or as a gift for someone you know who’s really going to appreciate a damn good read; especially one with the McLean seal of approval.

1) The End of Everything by Megan Abbott – My vote for book of the year, in part because it hit me completely from left field. I was already in love with Abbott’s work, but what she does here is incredible. The book is told entirely from the perspective of a thirteen year old girl, and it pulls no punches in its depiction of a world that is all appearance and snakes beneath the skin. The prose unfolds in a dream-like fashion, and the soft-focus of a character looking back on themselves and their lives hides ugly, unsettling truths. The cover – on both sides of the Atlantic – makes the book look like literary women’s fiction, which in a sense it is. But it is also one of the purest, most captivating and most disturbing books you’ll have read this year regardless of your genre. Abbott has excelled herself and set a high bar for other authors to reach.

2) A Drop of the Hard Stuff by Lawrence Block – Block’s back, baby. And so is Matt Scudder. This one rewinds to the eighties where Matt was first coming to terms with being an alcoholic. As such, it is stepped in atmosphere and a sense of moving forward. Matt is at his most interesting when he teeters on the edge, and here we find him a fascinating and volatile version of the man we’ve come to know. The book is as much about addiction as it is about murder, and a hell of a reminder as to why Matt Scudder is one of the most interesting and fascinating of the post-Archer PIs.

3) Fun and Games & Hell and Gone by Duane Swierczynksi – Okay, so its two books in this entry, but they are so closely connected I count them as one. Swierczynski is the king of the action novel. His plots are preposterous, his body count high and his adrenaline mainlined. He’s a pulp prince for the new millennium and one of the very few writers who can pace his action in prose to the point where you’re literally sweating with exertion along with his characters. Charlie Hardie is the kind of action hero who’s going to be mentioned in the same breath as John McLean.

4) Already Gone by John Rector – Rector follows up his brilliant THE COLD KISS with an equally terrifying slice of mystery, as we follow one man trying to atone for who he used to be as he becomes convinced that the past is finally catching up. But nothing is as it seems and this is one of a very few twist-thrillers where you really find yourself blindsided by the revelations.

5) Southern Gods by John Hornor Jacobs – I love a good horror novel, but I’m not a big Lovecraft fan. However, Rector takes some of Lovecraft’s legacy and makes it his own in this sprawling, brilliant and unsettlingly fun novel set in the deep south during the 1950’s. A great feel for the period and some brilliantly realised moments of supernatural terror make this one a winner.

6) Choke Hold by Christa Faust – Hands down the most fun I’ve had a (former) porn star this year. Angel Dare is back in this sequel to Money Shot, and somehow she’s even more kick-ass than before. The writing is lean and mean and there’s a hell of a lot more going on beneath the surface than you might realise at first. Also, it’s a slam-bang adventure with some real standout set pieces. Just… perfection.

7) Dove Season by Johnny Shaw – Kinda controversial debut given it came from Amazon’s publishing arm (at least one bookstore refused to stock it) but whatever your feelings about the giant retailer and their reach, there’s no denying that this is one hell of a debut – great sense of location and a lot of ambition. It’s a game of two halves, with the second finding the action in an unstoppable freefall that’s removed from the sedate pace that came before, but Shaw earns every moment and shows a real promise for the future.

8) Truth Lies Bleeding by Tony Black – Great start to a new series by Black. Its got more mainstream appeal than the Dury novels, considering the lead’s a copper, but of course Black’s got far more than yer standard procedural here. It’s a novel that revels in the shadows, leavened by a profound sense of dark humour that runs softly through the narrative. It’s the novel that should start to bring Black to the attention of a wider audience. And on top of that, it’s a natural progression to everything he’s done so far. Bravo, Black. Bravo.

9) Moriarty: The Hound of the D’ubervilles by Kim Newman – It’s not perfect (a little overlong in places, but then that might be part of the joke) but Newman’s tongue in cheek chronicling of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes’s nemesis hits all the right spots with some great gags and very nice appropriating of contemporary literature that make for a very fun read.

10) FIFTH VICTIM by Zoe Sharp – My impatience with the action novel is often quite severe, so its unusual that two should appear on my top ten list. Fifth Victim is more serious in its approach to action than Swierczynski’s homage to insanity mentioned earlier, but it is also one of the most successful and engaging thrillers I’ve read all year. Charlie Fox is – dare I say it – so much more interesting and developed than Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, and while a lesser writer might have made her a typical action hero in drag, Sharp manages to make Fox into a fascinating and fully rounded character. In other words, this is a woman who can truly kick ass. But it’s the emotional development that really marks out Sharp and Fox, and make FIFTH VICTIM a truly brilliant action novel.

So there we are. My top 10 reads of the year. Sure, they’re mostly crime novels, but they’re also a rich and varied representation of the talent available within the genre. So my advice to you is to hurry out to your preferred retailer and stock up. After all, if you do get snowed in this Christmas you’re going to want some damn good reads to keep you occupied…

Au revoir

Russel

Its Competition Time!

2011-12-02T10:50:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Okay, here’s the deal. I want to give you something. Not neccesarily for Christmas, but just because I love you.

Only trouble is, being a Scot, I give away very little for free, so I’ll make a deal with you:
I’m looking for people to spread the word. Up my sales in some way and I’ll give you a little signed something for your effort. You can keep it for yourself. You can give it as a gift to a friend.
You can use it to prop up that wobbly table.

All you need to do is big me up.

Over the next month I want you to hit the websites. I want you to post a review of one of my books (THE GOOD SON,THE LOST SISTER or THE DEATH OF RONNIE SWEETS) on the website of your choice. It can be a personal blog. A review site. Goodreads. Amazon. Waterstones. The Book Depository. Whatever. Then I want you to email me the link to crimescenescotland_at_yahoo.co.uk (replacing that _at_ with @, obviously) including your name and return email. On the closing date of 23 December I shall put all your names in a hat and announce the winner shortly thereafter.

The winner gets their choice of and a signed personalised (in any way they wish) copy of:

a) UK edition of THE GOOD SON.

b) UK edition of THE LOST SISTER

c) US HB of THE GOOD SON

d) A hardcover copy of the brilliant anthology, EXPLETIVE DELETED which features one of my early shorts among a whole slew of brilliant writers whom you can then stalk for autographs should you so desire*

The small print is simple: anyone except me can enter. Only reviews that appear after 02/12/11 are elegible (if you have already reviewed, you can put that review elsewhere and I’ll put you in the draw). There is no cash equivalent of the prize. Offer is open anywhere in the world.

Oh, and obviously nice reviews (you can be a little critical if you like, but any hate-filled rants or complaints about swearing and/or violence will make you ineligible) are ineligible. We’re trying to spread the word here and help me and my publishers around the world continue to give you, the reader, your much-needed fix of Scottish noir. Oh, and it goes without saying that before reviewing or saying nice things you really should have read at least one of the books!

Go to it!

Au revoir

Russel

*I do not condone stalking in any way. Probably.

Back from the dead

2011-08-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Bloody hell... April was my last post. April!

I am lax. I am sorry. You may beat me with sticks when you see me*.

But I haven't been sleeping this whole time. No, I've been busy. Lots of stuff happening in real life and in the writing world. Book #3 will be coming your way. Not till 2012 by the looks of things, but its coming. But to whet your appetite in the meantime, check out this (In the UK or in the US and with epub etc coming very soon):

Oh yes, you're seeing that right. We're talking a short story collection which features all my original stories from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, as well as several others that feature the same characters.

And yes, isn't that a beautiful cover by the incredibly, wonderfully talentled JT Lindroos?

So.. what else? Well I'll be back in the US this year in St Louis for Bouchercon where you'll be getting double the Russel for your money. Check these panels out:

Thursday 15 September, 8.30am (!): WOMAN TROUBLE-Landmark 1,2,3
Crime fiction is rife with ‘bad girl’ characters.
Russel McLean (M), Lori G. Armstrong, Judy Clemens, Christa Faust, Lauren Henderson, Karen Olson

Friday 16 September, 1:00pm: SHADOWS RISING-Landmark 1,2,3
Movies for the crime fiction fan
Jeremy Lynch (M), Megan Abbott, David Corbett, Russel McLean, Todd Ritter, Wallace Stroby

Goddamn, what a line-up! And of course I'll be hanging around the bar a lot, too. Not drinking, of course. I'd never touch the stuff!

But what of those back home? Do they get no Russel? Well, people of Ayr can enjoy me next week (27/8/11) for the Ayrshire reader's day when I'll be appearing with Ken McLeod, Karen Campbell and Louise Welsh as we talk to readers about books we love (in my case, I'll be leading a group discussion on Megan Abbott's amazing noir novel BURY ME DEEP) and our own books, too (I'll be taking the blame for THE LOST SISTER).

But after that, wait until October 28 when you can see me here in Dundee delivering an Armitstead Lecture on the history of crime fiction. Oh, yes, I'll be returning to my academic roots for this one. But don't think that'll mean there'll be less jokes that a typical McLean event. I'll be slipping through some puns amongst the lecturing bits, I assure you!

And what else? Well let's see if I can't update this blog a little, eh? I've been watching some bad films recently and you know, I really used to love using this blog to talk about the bad films I've seen...

Until then,

Au revoir

Russel
*Actually, please don't. That would hurt.

The First Sign of Madness...

2011-04-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Today I has been all over the internets. Seriously, its been like a wave of me which is a terrifying though.

Let's start at Criminal-E where Allan Guthrie interviews me to promote the kindle edition of THE GOOD SON.

And the move to Paul D Brazill's place where he asks me some short, sharp questions and I uphold the superiority of The Beano over The Broons.

I talk to myself (its the first sign of madness you know) at the insistence of Nigel P Bird.

And finally (phew!) as ever, I'm Doing Some Damage and this week I'm talking about that old chestnut, where a writer gets his ideas.

Soon enough I shall have written enough that I can control the entire internet! Tremble before me world! Tremble!

Oh, and don't forget, if you're in the Dundee area on Thursday 14 April, I'll be talking to Ray Banks and Tony Black at the Steps Theatre (in the main library) as part of Watersones' Dundee new crime club series. I

Until next time, mes amis,

Au revoir

Russel

Ready for my close up

2011-04-06T11:58:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Today I has been mostly... well, preening myself. I was meeting with awesome photographer, Ross Fraser McLean* who has given me a new set of shiny author portraits. Playing on my love of noirishness and so forth, we have four shots (and a fifth colour one which is not yet here and is still being toughed up to remove graininess etc) that convey different moods and ideas. Most of them quite dark.

This first photo is pretty much my favourite. Its dark and just sinister enough to convey that noir mood.

This next one sees me get a little more smiley. Which is nice. I've been told I need to smile more in pictures. Most of the time I think I just look ludicrous in pictures where I'm smiling, but Ross managed to catch the right moment.

This next one finds me more relaxed. Its actually a reasonable portrait which is unusual. A testament to Ross's skills as a photographer that he can get me looking vaguely human at all.

Speaking of vaguely human...

This final shot is rather terrifying, even from my point of view. Looking like some kind of Terminator (but not quite as big as Arnie) from the 1970's in that leather coat, I really rather like it. Even if the sad truth is that people who meet me are going to be rather puzzled at the reality of what I look like.

Oh, well... its been a fun day though. We pissed about with Top hats, too, and generally had a lot of fun putting these together and selecting the final four from a selection of several hundred shots. I've known Ross's skills for a few years, and would happily direct you to his website where he's got images from his travels down the years. I even wrote a short story to accompany of them a few years back

Anyway, with thanks to Ross for these new images. And speaking of your humble beardy host's overinflated ego, you might notice we now have a facebook fanpage on the go. Check the link on the right. And go tell me you like me.

We'll be back with the usual nonsense very soon indeed. In the meantime, in case you missed yesterday's announcement, THE GOOD SON has now gone digital in the UK and you can snap it up for the Kindle for only 99 of your shiny, earth pennies. Gowan... give it a go.

Au revoir

Russel
*no relation, although we used to work together which got confusing when work documents were signed RM or R McLean

The Good Son returns (virtually speaking)

2011-04-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Check out this beauty.

You like?

JT Lindroos has designed brand new cover art for a digital UK only edition of THE GOOD SON. Which I know many of you have been asking for for a long time. At the moment due to rights restrictions and technical difficulties, the book is only available for The Kindle. So if that's your bag, go and grab the book at a bargain price. THE LOST SISTER will be following sometime... oh, soon...

Of course, if you like print, you can still get THE GOOD SON and THE LOST SISTER, published by those beautiful people at Five Leaves Publications from all good bookstores (online and off). In fact I'd still encourage you to do so even if you have bought an e-edition. Why? They may cost a bit more, but if you have one of these beauties and hunt me down, I will write very nice things in them just for you.

Because, here's the thing: I adore print. And I adore my print publishers, too. I also adooore bookstores and maintain that they are still the best places to go for reccomends and a true sense of community. But I also see why people love digital, too. And a lot of you have been asking for a digital edition of the books.

As I say, we've been looking at something for the Sony (or any epub) reader but the DRM is proving to be rather tricky to get a handle on for the UK editions.

But what about my dear friends in the USofA? Well, St Martins are the ones in charge of the books over there. So if you're looking for a digital edition, they're the boys and girls to ask:

THE GOOD SON

THE LOST SISTER

Until next time, mes amis,

Au revoir

Russel

LOST IN THE USA BLOG TOUR 2011

2011-03-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

I have two more posts about the US tour to get up. Sorry its been so long. But in the meantime, check out what I've been doing to promote THE LOST SISTER stateside... oh, yes, its a smorgasbord of guest blogs:

Central Crime Zone: http://tinyurl.com/62ylp7u

Big Beat From Badsville: http://tinyurl.com/6xakpgf

Terrible Minds: http://tinyurl.com/62bgc94

Herman's Greasy Spoon: http://tinyurl.com/64ray75

Crime Always Pays: http://tinyurl.com/5sed2ty

Secret Dead Blog: http://tinyurl.com/5rmdqhe

LA Noir: http://tinyurl.com/62rwgfq

Vince Keenan: http://tinyurl.com/5t68nsp

Steve Hockensmith: http://tinyurl.com/6kv4c6d

Murderati: http://tinyurl.com/679d8yg

Charlie Williams: http://tinyurl.com/4tsza6t

Detectives Beyond Borders: http://tinyurl.com/6bs8nuz

Elizabeth A White: http://tinyurl.com/5rjjxtp

Halfhead (Stuart MacBride): http://tinyurl.com/4h4eyrp

Its been a whirlwind tour, and I've had a ball. But soon we'll be back. With announcements. And silliness.

Until then...

Au revoir

Russel

The Tour Part VIII: A Scot in Scotsdale

2010-11-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

At this year's Harrogate, I met a whole slew of poeople I haven't met before. But as we all know, I have always been a fan at Harrogate, never there in the guise of author. But it shows you that going out and meeting readers - and more importantly being nice to them - can sometimes pay off in unexpected ways. Particularly when that reader is someone like the marvellous Michelle from Arizona whom I met through fellow author Zoe Sharp.

You see Michelle asked me, "Are you going to tour the states?" and my reply was something like, "Yes, I'm thinking about it." She told me I should go through AZ.

"I'd love to, but I really don't know any of the stores there."

"There's Poisoned Pen."

"I've heard of them... They're meant to be bloody brilliant...why would they want me?"

Luckily for me, Michelle went and asked them that very question on her return to the states. And suddenly I had an email from Patrick at PP asking about an event. It was an accident, all through connections, but one that made me aware of just how open US bookshops were to a wee lad from Fife popping his head by.

So on the Monday before Bouchercon, I braved the skies once more to go from LA to Arizona for what was to be my last book stop on this tour. Flying out from Burbank (which wins a prize as my fave airport of the trip; comfortable and proper free internet access) at not-so-stupid-as-on-the-rest-of-the-tour-o'clock, I knew I wouldn't have the same transport problems as previous because this time I was being guided by Michelle, who had foolishly agreed to act as my tour guide.

After a leisurely Chinese lunch, we headed out for the desert to get a picture or me and a Cactus (hey, I had to do a couple of stupid tourist things).

But we didn't just get a pic of a cactus. Oh, no. We found a great roadside junk shop where I almost bought this bison

Got mauled by a bear

And shared a joke with this tin Indian chap.

And of course, Michelle "forced"* me to take this shot - - mind you, I think many people would agree I belong at a place called Malfunction Junction.

After this we went further on down the trail to find this place:

(yes, my sense of humour occasionally is that of a fifteen year old)

But that wasn't the greatest. Oh no, as we made to keave I suddenly realised what it said on this *other* sign:

Enter Yourself and enjoy.
Enter yourself.
And enjoy.
Say it with me, folks: what the fuck?

At this stage we decided the desert sun was getting to us and headed back to Scottsdale where your beardy hero checked into the Hotel Valley Ho. Now, I know some of you are snickering at the name, so quit it. Cos the Ho is quite simply the most awesome hotel I have yet stayed in. Like walking onto the set of Mad Men.

Here's the lovely Michelle in the lobby:

Here's a random burning bucket of coals.

When I left my room, here's what I saw:

So I freshened up and met Michelle at the bar where we indulged in retro cocktails. Now I'm a simple man. I like my beet. But you couldn't not drink cocktails at the Ho. They are truly wonderful.

Suitably liquored up, we headed out to Poisoned Pen, where we were met by Pat, Pat and Will and a strangely familiar bearded face that turned out to be criminal genius Keith Rawson who kidnapped me and took me a back room where we filmed an interview during which the cocktails came into play as I got all my John's mixed up. Oh dear, oh dear...

Anyway, following this I was taken onto the shop floor and interviewed for the waiting masses. This was one of the largest crowds yet and a great audience for the evening. We covered all the usual questions, although at least one person did have difficulty following the accent. I'm quite proud though as this was the only time it happened on the whole tour.

This was my last night officially on tour and while I had one more gig lined up at Bouchercon in SF, this was the last time I would be the main event. And seriously, I couldn't have asked for a better bookstore at which to finish. Not only that I got to shake the hand of the man who wrote Sharktopus, Mike MacLean. I mean, who could ask for anything more?

Once we were done, it was back to the Ho for food and more cocktails. And finally I wound my weary way to bed, where I stood out on the balcony of my retro hotel room and let the cool night air wash over me. Thinking about the next day. When once more I would be at the mercy of Mme Faust for round 3 of Russel Vs LA.
Au revoir

Russel

*Okay, I can't ever resist sticking my head through a hole with a funny painting on the other side. Its a strange weakness of mine. Plus there was a sombrero involved.

The Tour Part V - LA Day 2 (Mme Faust Takes Control)

2010-11-15T23:37:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

The thing with international travel is that it screws your body clock. So it seemed that no matter how tired I was the night before, this whole trip I was waking up early. And so it was that I awoke, more or less refreshed, in time for Madame Christa's "Ze Trains Vill Run On Time!" tour of LA. By now she was aware of my ludicrous penchant for getting lost and had determined that this would not happen in LA.

She was going to show me the town, and I was not going to get lost.

It was a challenge I was willing to accept.

Of course, to start easy, we headed into the hills where Christa immediately popped off a shot designed to mimic that great old B-Movie, Attack of the Fifty Foor Russel - yes this was taken mere feet from the Hollywood sign. Honest.

After this, we headed down to a bridge that look vaguely familiar. "A Bridge?" wondered your Scotsman until his host roared, "They're here already, you're next!" - -

Oh yes, we were on the bridge from the end of the original INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS which showed that Christa had your Beardy Hero's B-Movie number stored. This was LA, all right. We were on the B-Movie trail this morning, and I was right on for that ride.

Here's me on that bridge:

And here's Christa, deciding not to warn people that they're already here, but instead pose for the camera...

After this, it was a pit stop at the Ed Wood Arms

Followed by a few shots outside the wonderful Alto Nido appartments from Sunset Blvd, and also one of the places where Elizabeth Short (The Black Dahlia) allegedly hung her hat for a short while.

But the next location blew my socks off:

Yes, it may look like a cave to you. But, my friends, in the 1960's Adam West used to drive a very cool car from the this very spot. Yes, we are looking at the batcave.

Which, on the other side, once housed a radish. Honestly. It Conquered The World, you know.

Except here's something more terrifying emerging from the cave - yes, Faust Conquered The World! Run for your lives!

Speaking of run for your lives, someone had created a creepy smiley face of rocks just outside the caves. And so, keeping an out for cannibals and such like, we beat a retreat back to civilisation.

An abortive attempt for lunch at Musso and Franks (its closed on Sundays, apparently) led to the world's biggest club sandwich just down to the road. Scarfing down said sandwich re-energised us for a Chandler tour of Hollywood.

We're not sure these are Marlowe's appartments, but the less-than-detailed map seemed to occasionally just say "sod it, we'll guess the location's here).

However, it was on the money for other locations including Marlowe's offices. So here's me pretending to be a real LA investigator.

The later afternoon found us up at Griffith Observatory where you can admire James Dean's head:

Or look out across the city. Provided its a smog-lite day, which it luckily was.

And here's a pic taken by some passing chap of me and Christa at the observatory. As you can see, by this point in the tour I've learned to hide my fear.

Following the observatory, we returned to HQ for "Bad Movie Night." Yes, Christa had revenge in store for the Krankies. And what revenge it was.

The evening started, without warning, with your beardy hero watching a public information film. Nothing wrong with that you might think, except it was the creepiest public information film ever made. And I was forced to sit through it in a clockwork orange style headpiece, with the eyes wide open. If you want to experience the horror, you can go here. But its not for the faint hearted and makes you wonder about just what the hell was going through their minds when they made this.

After this didn't kill me, I was rewarded with food. Chops, sausages, meat of all varieties and deep fried tater-tots in bacon fat.

But the piece-de-resistance came about after a few jokes about deep-drying and scotsmen from the previous evening.

Deep. Fried. Twinkies.

And (thanks to Christa's pal, Lili), Bacon. Ice. Cream.

Suffice to say, the Scotsman was made of hardy eating stock and proceeded to devour everything in sight. Heart attack be damned.

The evening continued with true bad movies. Including SHIP OF MONSTERS (which featured a mexican singing cowboy) STING OF DEATH (with special singing guest star Neil Sedaka - why can't I find a clip of the Jibba-Jabba Jellyfish?)

HERCULES IN NEW YORK, (Yup, Arnie dubbed as Hercules) and many more incuding MUTANT VAMPIRE ZOMBIES FROM THE HOOD which featured one of the evening's guests as a talking zombie pimp (don't even ask, just revel in the awesomness of that title...)

But the crowning glory of awfulness was... SUBURBAN SASQUATCH. A film clearly made from less than a buck. With the titular Sasquatch being a guy in a halloween gorilla suit with added breasts and (for no apparent reason) a large bit of fur swinging between his legs. Words cannot describe the absolute and terrible amateur natue of this production. The CGI (and I use the word in its loosest sense) blood and gunfire. The mumbling "acting". The man knocked out by a severed hand (thrown on camera by someone who clearly was last picked when it came to baseball teams in High School). Oh, this film would have broken lesser mortals. But your beardy hero has a love of truly awful movies, and this one came close to the worst he's ever seen.

And so, following this last and most terrible screening, your beardy hero retired for the evening. After all, it was an early start the next day for his last Official Tour stop before Bouchercon. Yes, he was off to the desert.... surely he couldn't get lost there?

Au revoir

Russel

Tour Interruptus

2010-11-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Its taking me a while to document the tour, and I know you want me to get the good stuff - like The Ho in Arizona or the incident with the twenty dollar notes, the whipped cream and the camera at the hotel bar in SF (of which, rather sadly, no evidence exists, but trust me that it happened and it wasn't entirely what you're thinking, you filthy minded lot!)

But in the meantime, here's an interview I gave on the road. I think I mix some things up here and there (including my spectacular failure to remember the awesome John Rector's name) but it was great fun talking to Mr Rawson in Arizona.

Russel D. McLean interviewed by Keith Rawson from Damon Cap on Vimeo.

By this point in the tour I was barely able to tell you which continent I was on, but let me say that I knew I was having a spectacular evening at the Poisoned Pen. Something I'll tell you more about very soon indeed...

But in the meantime,

au revoir

Russel

The Tour Part IV - - LA, Day 1 (No chance of getting lost)

2010-10-31T06:25:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

When last we left your beardy travelling hobo, he was anticipating an early rise as he prepared for two days in LA in the company of one Christa Faust. To say he was nervous was an understatement. Particularly because he had recently made the mistake of introducing Ms Faust to The Krankies.

Irrespective, and irregardless, I was still determined that nothing she had in store could break my tiny mind as much as the Krankie's had broken hers and so I arrived in LA to be met at the airport by Ms Faust, dressed in a beautifully appropriate T-Shirt that carried the title of the movie, DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS.

Why is that appropriate?

Well, fact fans, a couple generations back in my family, the McDermott's (who married into the McLeans) produced a very well employed actor named Hugh McDermott. Great Uncle Hugh (I'm actually not sure on the precise relationship, as I know next to nothing about my family history other than this) starred in that very movie, so it was very strange to know that Christa loved and appreciated this particular piece of my family history without even knowing the connection.

Anyway, Christa grabbed me at Bob Hope airport and took me through our planned itinerary. I had some business to take care of that afternoon at The Mystery Bookstore in LA, but first we had time to kill. So we met the irrascible Mr Stephen Blackmoore (whose book you will be buying when it comes out from Daw in 2012) and took a tour of a very hidden graveyard where we found some very cool names buried.

Check the odd couple:

Me and Christa find words to live by

And Christa meets the marvellous Mel Torme

Afterwards, a quick lunch of Sushi and onwards to the LA Mystery Bookstore where I didn't know what to expect from a 3pm signing.

This was my audience (Mr Stephen Blackmoore):

Later augmented by the wonderful Sue Ann Jaffarian, who is a very very cool lady and who puts my work ethic to shame (three novels a year *and* a full time job? How does she do it?)

However, it was so cool to meet Linda and the crew there who kindly posed for some photos and let me fill in the arrest log book they have in place of a signing book. I was arrested, it seems, for being an incomprehensible immigrant. These Homeland laws sure are getting tougher....

After this, Christa and I went along Sunset Boulevard and out to the beach, taking a long leisurely drive through LA. The plan had been that evening to go and see POINT BREAK: LIVE, but of course the show was inexplicably cancelled that evening. Bastards. However, maybe it was for the best as it was that evening that the jetlag finally started So we departed back to where I could collapse and pass out for the evening. And collapse I did. Quite literally seeing a bed, falling over and knowing nothing until the next morning. During this point I am assured nothing too terrible happened.

Of course, given Christa's as yet unknown revenge for the Krankies, I was inclined to take this assurance with a pinch of salt. But of course, nothing could have prepared me for what was to come with day 2 in LA...

Au revoir

Russel

The Tour (Part III): Not Lost (Much) in Houston

2010-10-21T04:07:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

By now you may have begun to notice a theme in my travels.

Yes, I don't have much of a sense of direction. But I was determined that by the time I got to Houston everything would be fine.

And it was.

Thanks to the intervention of a very kind man running the shuttle service at George Bush Airport. You see, I'd kind of forgotten in all my prep to arrange a lift from the airport in my arrival to Houston. Never mind, thought I, boading the plane at Minneapolis, they're bound to have train links like the Hiawatha line in Minneapolis. No worries.

Except they didn't.

And except the taxi rank was utterly empty.

So I went to see the shuttle service. And this was when the very nice man - a pure Texan Gentleman of the style I believed wouldn't really exist - informed me that I had another problem. You see, I didn't realise Houston had 2 airports. And since my middle flights were on Southwest Airlines, it was as well I was organising two lifts since the next day I had to go to another airport entirely.

So huge thanks to this man and huge thanks to my driver, who, it turned out was an aspiring author himself. Now, from our discussions I think our genres were utterly removed from each other, but let me say he had the right attitude and our discussion as we drove to the hotel was great fun. I do wish him all the best in the next step of finding an agent. Sadly I don't know what the US equivalent of the Writer's Yearbook is, but I do hope he managed to locate something.

Now, here was another case of Google Maps screwing things up. According to what I'd gathered the hotel was five minutes from the store.

Well, yes.

If you crossed a honking two lane freeway.

Lucky my hotel ran a free car service.

Except... when I decided to head over, the car was lost. For about an hour. Which mean once again I was far later at showing up than I expected. Lucky, however, that this was just me popping my head in. And what a delight to see Murder By The Book for the first time. Given recent events with the unexpected death of Asst Manager David Thompson, I was admittedly a little uncertain before walking in, but the staff and David's wife, McKenna, who manages the store were more than welcoming and soon I found myself settled in to signing some early copies for folks, and fielding all the usual questions about those darned first editions. I also spent some time browsing the store, coming out with the usual stash I'd got at all stores thus far and wondering just how much I could fit into me bags.

After this I headed back to the hotel to freshen up and booked the car with my new driver, Max (I'm sure that was his name, and I'm going to kick myself if I have it wrong), who used to work for a Scottish boss and this was probably the only person in the hotel who could understand my accent. Max was very cool about getting me where I needed to go on time, and while we got delayed by traffic lights on the return journey, still made excellent time which meant I was there, you know, before the event was due to start. I considered this a personal record for me.

Returning to MBTB, I was greeted by a strange man eyeing me up. This worried me until I realised it was Do Some Damage's own Scott D Parker, just ensuring that the wild-eyed, hobo-styled Scotsman coming into the joint was indeed his erstwhile fellow blogger. At least I knew one person was there.

After a chat with the booksellers to calm me nerves, it was showtime. And following a lovely introduction, I managed to get the show on the road.

If you want the outsider's view, go here, and get Scott's take on the show. But from my point of view, I couldn't have asked for a cooler audience, some of whom even hung around to get books signed... I know, who'd'a thunk that would happen?

Afterwards, I was still flying high on nerves, as always following an event, but the fantastic folks from MBTB eased those off by taking me to dinner where I had catfish for the first time in my life and experienced some of that Texas Hospitality. Let me say, MBTB more than deserves its reputation, and thank you so much to everyone there for making me feel so welcome. I hope one day you'll allow me to return...

And so, as I climbed in to bed that night, I felt a shiver of fear. For the next day would find me in LA, and at the mercy of my host for the next few days, Christa "Krankies Fan" Faust...

Au revoir

Russel

The Tour (Part II) - Minneapolis

2010-10-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

There's a picture I forgot to put up last time, which I found in central park. It was the warnings they forgot to take down after Jay Stringer left the city:

Anyway, ahem, now that's out the way, I can continue coverage. Starting with Minneapolis, where I was booked into the wonderful Normandie Inn, a spectacuarly lovely building in amongst, well, the trappings of a midwestern town. Minneapolos is a lovely place, but its very laid back in so many ways. Just as well, because I was about to get lost.

Very lost.

I figured, from a glance at Google maps, I could walk to Once Upon A Crime in Minneapolis, where I would be doing an event that evening. It was a good plan and I was in early enough for it to work.

Except this is Russel "Columbus" McLean you're talking to here.

Of course I got lost.

A 45 minute walk took me the best part of three hours.

On the way, of course, I was past the university of Art which had some bizarre tee-pees outside and a strangely mosiac deer. No, I was at a loss to explain either, but then I'm no art student. This was nice and distracting, of course, but I quickly realised I still had no idea how close I was to the store. So I kept walking.

And walking.

And walking.

Turned back twice before figuring that I had to be on the right track.

And then I saw this car:

And realised I was there. Oh, hallejulah, I was there!

Pat was there in the shop when I walked in, and looked up when I spoke as thought wondering were these real words coming out of my mouth. But indeed they were and once she realised I wasn't speaking gobbeldygook, I was merely Scottish, she was delighted to realise I had made it. Pat was immediately welcoming and we chatted for a while, and I ended up staying even longer when I got chatting the wonderful Jessie Chandler whose first novel is, I believe, coming out later this year from the sterling chaps and chapesses at Midnight Ink.

However, I had to leave and get prepared at some point. So a quick snack and shower at the hotel (Jessie drove me back, which is probably for the best) and I was raring to go. Or not. I get very nervous before events, so I was kind of pacing like a caged animal. However, it was all good nerves and surely Pat and Gary wouldn't let anything bad happen to me?

Anyway, that was when the McLean struck out and my plans to get to the store went awry due to unforseen circumstances. A back up plan formed by the medium of public transport which went bad and then a cabbie who didn't seem to know the city. I was... five minutes late. People were getting anxious. And yes, I did say people. For a small but select group arrived to hear me talk. I think it was more of a round table discussion, but that worked well for me, and most folks laughed at my jokes. This was where I added a whole new routine to the tour, one of my favouirite gags about how God created Scotland (next time you see me, ask me if you dare). I think most folks enjoyed themselves. I know I did, and I look forward to getting back Minneapolis if they'll have me!

After the event, most people stayed back to have books signed and I got to see the pulp stash at the back of the store. If I'd had more money, I'd have been in heaven and spending like a demon. But they have such cool stuff there and now I know, I'll be back with more cash next time!

Afterwards, a terrifying gentlman introduced himself as The Nerd of Noir. Yes, the sultan of swear was in attendance and so we went for drinks at a very cool wee bar just down the block before driving back to the hotel and - whaddaya know - getting exceedingly lost along the way...

As I drifted to sleep in the Normandie, I realised that the next morning I'd be jumping early on the Hiawatha Line and back to the airport. So for now, I said,

Au revoir

to Minneapolis...

The Tour (Part I) - New York

2010-10-20T06:00:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Unless you've been following me on Twitter, you'll doubtless be wondering how the These Aye Mean Streets Tour of America went down as your humble, beardy Scottish hero hit the shores of the US with the strength of... well, something pretty damn strong*

It was a long and very packed trip, so I've divided it into sections by city/event for the purposes of posting. But I'll try and give you some flavour of what happened, culminating, mais naturellement, in the excesses of Bouchercon '10.

But it was the week before Bouchercon, I started my US tour. Knowing how jetlag can be, I started in NYC, where I had no events planned other than a drop to the Mysterious where, if they had any books, I'd do an unnoficial signing.

Which brings me on to another thing.

Thank you to my US readers who seem to have devoured the first print run of THE GOOD SON. Starting at the Mysterious and continuing on, it seemed no one was able to get their grubby mitts on a copy of TGS in first edition. Yes, we have sold out my friends. But let's not stop there. Let's sell out print run number 2, and maybe number 3 if we can. After all, you do want me to come back to your shores, don't you?

So when I hit Mysterious on day 2 in the US, they had been unable to get any 1sts or 2nds, but they were so damn kind to me anyway I will be heading back if I ever return to teh area (and no doubt I will, I love New York).

During my time in NYC, I divided up the days to hit different areas. Day 1 was Manhattan since I was going to meet my published for lunch. I spent the morning getting my bearings. Hitting up Grand Central where I went to the first bookshop I ever encountered in NYC, the brilliant Posmans Books. I maybe should have told 'em I was coming, but I was there as a customer more than anything. However, the lass who served me was so beautifully enthusiastic about Charlie Huston, I had to play the shill and pass over one of me cards. Apparently that quote from John Connolly convinced her more than anything the book needed to be looked at. See, folks, this is why I love bookstores; the buyers are true enthusiasts, and the best ambassadors for your books. Nothing beats good old human enthusiasm.

After Grand Central, I hit the NY Public Library where I hoped to get a few shots of the lions and that brilliant exterior. Except the front is under reconstruction. So I got a nice shot of covered scaffolding.

Much of the first day was spent in Manhattan and the Flatiron District. I went to meet my editor at St M's for lunch, but ended up making plans for dinner instead after circumstancews were a bit awry. Not my fault for once. However, this did mean I wound up having slices for lunch at Original Rays a few blocks away as the heavens opened and NYC experienced a Dundee-style downpour. The afternoon saw me abandon my plans for central park and head instead to see the inside of the Public Library. Its a stunning building inside, and its current photographic exhibition is fascinating, images of ordinary folks across the states, slices of everyday life that summed up the myth of America for me.

That evening, I met my editor (and by the way that pic of the flatiron shows you where my publishers have their offices - yes, that is the Daily Bugle building in the Spidey movies) for dinner at the wonderful Mari Vanna restaurant. I've never had Russian cuisine before, but trust me, I was deeply satisfied here with both the food and the brilliant service from our lovely waitress who seemed delighted to have a Scotsman in the house (apparently her family emigrated here a few years ago). I was hugely impressed with the Russian Beers, too (I put my life in our waitresses hands when it came to the booze - a very wise decision!). But it was the experimenting with Vodka that may have had something to do with the final end to this evening.

You see, I was spending my time in New York being sheltered by the one of the best authors you should be reading, Charlie Stella and his wonderful wife, Anne Marie. And that evening I had agreed to meet them at a certain point in the city. Unfortunately I got confused and believed our meeting point was near the Staten Island ferry. When I realised it wasn't, I got directions from a cop (in a donut shop, no less!) to what later turned out to be the wrong address anyway. Not that it mattered. Some hurried phone calls later, we agreed I should turn back for the ferry and we'd meet there. Suffice to say, Charlie didn't make any fun of me for this faux-pas at all.

Day 2 was spent almost entirely downtown. I fell in love with Battery Park, despite the touristy settings and refused to pay $20 to see that statue of Liberty (I'm a fifer and a natural cheapskate). Instead I got lost (again) searching for the Mysterious and delighted in finding the hidden parks and walking around the finanical district. Lots of walking today and just admiring the city. Also more slices for lunch. But you expected that, didn't you? The guy sitting next to me at the counter tried to educate me on American sports, specifically football. Have to say, though, its still confusing all all hell to me.

Day 3 found me finally making Central Park. Don't know how, on the last two visits to the city, I couldn't find it. But was worth the wait. I just walked in and forgot the city existed. Spent some time watching the sea lions and then just walking the park. I walked into the midst of a shoot for some (I presume) sitcom called "The Royal Pains" which sounded terrible, but it was pretty cool to have be escorted out of the way of filming.

I also located the reservoir so I could take some shots of where Marathon Man was filmed and then found myself in the real rich area of the city where I found brilliant indy bookstore, Crawford Doyle on Madison Ave. Some very nice folks in there, who seemed very excited at the idea of Dundee "like the Cake". I didn't spoil their illusions of our local culinary contributions.

Back to the park again, I found myself watching The Tin Pan Blues Band performing live. It gave a chance to sit down and relax in the suddenly wonderful sunshine as these guys plied their trade. I was impressed enough to pick up their CDs, too, and as we write I'm listening to their second album, Hounds Tooth.

The afternoon was spent in the Greenwich Village area as I got lost trying to find Partners and Crime, a bookstore I wasn't hugely aware of until recently before my arrival in NYC. But boy has that changed. These guys rock. I was there at the behest of Mr Reed Coleman and Gerald So (who sadly had to cancel his plans at at the last minute) to see the launch of the lovely SJ Rozan's latest novel. Its the rare author who can make their work come alive via reading, but SJ's got the reading art down cold, and it was great to hear her speak about the new book as well.

It was a great way to end my time in NYC, and I got a chance to speak to some great authors in attandance including soon-to-debuted Sara J Henry and the every wonderful Megan Abbot, whose novels are always a pleasure to read (in fact I really should have asked her when we can expect something new).

That evening, I managed to meet Charlie at the appointed time and place without too much hassle, and we ended my visit to NYC with some Chivas and some very good food.

But by then I was already panicking. After all, while I'd been dropping in on stores during my time in NYC, the next day would see my tour begin proper. I was about to have to start behaving, ya know, like a professional writer...

Au revoir

Russel

*the jetlag may have affected my capacity for metaphors, simile's and suchlike.

Off on the road to... America

2010-10-01T03:49:00.000-07:00

Mes amis

The passport is checked, the bag is packed and I'm raring to go. October 7 sees the tour start officially, but before then I'll be bumming annonymously(ish) around the country for a few days.

Anyway, for those going to Bouchercon, you'll be very pleased to know that that master of Irish Eye Fiction, Declan Hughes will be joining the merry band at the Robert B Parker panel. Declan's novels featuring Ed Loy are a particular favourite here at Casa McLean so we'll be honoured to have him on board.

In other news, when I come back I'll also be taking part in the Readers Day with Fife Libraries. I'll be discussing my ownTHE LOST SISTER and also Walter Mosely's DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS which I consider a very big influence in many ways on the way I write and read crime fiction.

And for those in the states wondering where I'll be on tour:

Thursday 7 October 2010 - appearing at Once Upon a Crime, Minneapolis, 7pm.

Friday 8 October, 2010 - Murder by The Book. Houston TX, 6:30pm

Saturday 9 October 2010 - The Mystery Bookstore, Los Angeles, 3pm

Monday 11 October 2010: Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Scottsdale AZ, 7pm

October 14 - 17, Bouchercon 2010, San Francisco

I should also be leaving behind some signed copies in NYC but more info on that as it arrives.

And, finally, here's some very kind words from the wondrous Zoe Sharp who just finished THE LOST SISTER:

'Russel D McLean's second novel about tortured Scottish PI J McNee is a dark, downbeat, and wholly driven piece of intense writing that keeps you gripped from the very first page and stays with you long after the last is done. Slick and cynical, it confirms an outstanding new talent in crime noir.'

Cynical? Moi? Oh, yes. But its an honour to have an author whose work you admire say such lovely things.

Anyway, mes amis, I hope to see many of you stateside soon. And until then,

au revoir

Russel

Panels, Parker and PI's...

2010-09-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Need I remind you that the These Aye Mean Streets US tour kicks off in a couple of weeks? I needn't? Well, in case you're keeping count, you might be interested to know that an extra date has been added on October 9th at 3pm, where I'll be at The Mystery Bookstore in LA. So if you find yourself in the area, come along and say hello. Don't know the store? For shame on you! Go here and see what you've been missing.

And of course, I can now reveal that I have been granted moderating duties at this year's Bouchercon. Yes, the morning after the Shamus announcement, I'll be keeping order among:

Mark Coggins
Joseph Finder
Lee Goldberg
and
Dick Lochte

as we discuss the legacy of Robert B Parker who is, of course, most famous for his fictional PI Spenser. So come along and delight in our lunatic theories, our fannish enthusiasm and our general bonhomie (chilled red wine, a-la Spenser's preference, may not neccesarily be included) at 11:30 on Saturday 16th October at the world's grandest mystery convention, taking place this year in San Fransisco.

So, mes amis, I'll see you there.

Au revoir

Russel

David Thompson

2010-09-14T16:48:00.001-07:00

One of my favourite readers – in fact, the reader to whom my short in Damn Near Dead 2 is dedicated – once wrote to David Thompson - asst manager at Murder by the Book, and head of Busted Flush Press - to ask if he could send her Ken Bruen bookmarks to commemorate the publication of Busted Flush’s publication of A Fifth of Bruen. David wrote back and, in part, asked her “if you’re in Dundee have you read Russel McLean?? Wonderful Dundee Crime Writer…” Renate – that’s her name, my favourite reader – sought me out to bring me a hard copy of the email. I was touched. David didn’t have to do that.

And yet he did.

He also didn’t have to send Renate some reading copies of books or other assorted paraphernalia. Ostensibly he was scared after reading her persona in the story. But I think I have an idea of the truth:

he was a generous man. One of the real good guys.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet him in ’06 at Madison, where he gave me a Fifth of Bruen T-Shirt as thanks for a review I’d written. Again, it was a gesture he did not need to make. I still have the shirt. I tend to wear it when writing.

I’m not sure whether I can claim as close a friendship with David as many in the crime community who had known him for years, who had shared so many grand experiences with him, but I considered him a friend, someone I wanted to spend time getting to know a little better. He always surprised me with his generosity and the fact he gave so much time to people. I still felt honoured when he replied to my emails or tweets. This was a guy so well respected in the community and yet he still took the time out to answer daft questions from the likes of myself.

We only met once in person, and we were planning to meet again at this year’s Bouchercon… and then even earlier, when he helped me organise part of my tour by getting me out to Houston. I would have gone anyway, I think, but David was so enthusiastic I wouldn’t have got away with skipping the place (And I’d never have forgiven myself either; David was pretty much the first US bookseller to get right behind THE GOOD SON when it was released in its UK edition). What I can tell you is that I admired David professionally – Busted Flush was among my favourite small presses, an imprint that kept on challenging itself to improve both its product and its approach, and from what I gathered about him as a bookseller, he was pretty much what I aspire to in my day job – and I was looking forward to seeing him again on a purely personal level; he was, simply, a likeable guy.

And he will be missed.

I don’t know the details – don’t know that many do – of what happened other than he passed away sometime on either the 13 or 14 September 2010. Aged 38. Far too young. Took me reading several online tributes before it sunk in that I really was reading about the same David Thompson. Even now there’s a strange air of unreality about the idea.

Our last email conversation, he was helping me sort out travel arrangements in the US and laughing at my failure to use Google Maps (“want me to walk you through our website and the location?”). My memories are not only of a talented bookseller and publisher, but of a guy who went out of his way for others and who seemed to enjoy his life. I was looking forward to thanking him in person for all his help and support over the last few years. It is strange and upsetting to think that I – and, I’m sure many others – will now not have that opportunity.

My thoughts go to his wife McKenna and to all of David’s family and friends. David Thompson – and I speak through my own experiences of the man – was more than just a talented bookseller, a champion of readers and writers, a consummately professional publisher… he was a good man. And I am honoured to have known him even if only for a relatively short time.

"When you goooooo, will you send back..."

2010-09-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Am I insane?

Well, we all know the answer to that question. But I ask this question as I have been recently tearing out my beard (don't worry, it'll grow back) trying to get all my ducks in a row for

THESE AYE MEAN STREETS AMERICAN TOUR 2010

Oh, yes. You read that right. I'm heading across the water to the USofA in a blatant attempt to not only increase awareness of me books, but also to see a country that has been very kind to me as a writer over these last several years.

So if you want to catch me, I'll be at the following places at the following times:

Thursday 7 October 2010 kicks off the proceedings at Once Upon a Crime in Minneapolis at 7pm where I'll be talking books, writing and why a sporran should be worn just off-center when dancing.

Friday 8 October finds me with the kids at Murder by the Book in Houston, TX at 7pm for more frolicsome fun and terrifyingly true tales from the life of a Scots crime writer and bookseller.

After a small break (to catch me breath) I'll be at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ, where I might be persuaded to explain why, last time I was in the city, I was almost set upon by a bunch of local sports fans thanks to a very slight faux-pas from my 12 year old self (before they realised I was Scottish and probably had no idea what I was saying).

And then, oh its Bouchercon, baby, in SanFran. If nothing else, I'll be at the bar when I'm not in attendance at the marevellous entertainments being set up by the Glorious Organisers.

I hope to see you there, mes amis

Au Revoir

Russel

A Crying Shamus...

2010-08-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

It was Naomi Johnson of The Drowning Machine who started it. Sent me a message on the ol' Twitter saying,

Congrats.

And I had to wonder what for.

Turns out THE GOOD SON has been nominated for a Shamus Award by those wonderful folks at the PWA.

This is a cool thing for me. A lot of good folks have won the Shamus down the years and just as many cool cats of crime have been shortlisted for the award as well. So I'm in fine company, and nowhere moreso than with my fellow nominees who are all wonderfully talented.

The results will be anounced at Bouchercon in October.

Au revoir

Russel

"Superman saved the day..."

2010-08-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Okay, I ain't the biggest fan of the Boy Scout... um, I mean The Man of Steel... but I do like this story where he winds up saving the day for a family facing foreclosure.

I wonder how much a copy of the Beano from the mid eighties would be worth now? Sadly without its original Fizzle Stick free gift which was consumed within minutes of purchase. Always used to annoy me that how they attached the free sweets with sticky tape that ripped apart the front pages of the comic.

In unrelated comics memories, my dad once tried to get me a tour of DC Thomson (publishers of Scotland's top comic book The Beano, and also the sadly missed Starblazer among many other comic books) when I was a lad who said he wanted to write comics.

He never showed me the letter that basically said "sod off, we'd never let kids near a place that creates comics" until I reached my early twenties. Even then it still stung.

Which provides me another tenuous link to say that tomorrow's post at Do Some Damage will be about rejection letters. So come along and join the fun.

Au revoir

Russel

Catching up isn't hard to do

2010-08-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Been a while since I’ve posted here. Let me say simply, its me and not you. I’ve been tied up with deadlines, day jobs and assorted disasters, so I do hope you’ll forgive me (and yes, I know I’ve been using that there twitter thing but only because its quick and painless. I like to put some thought into these blog posts, even if it more often seems like the rambling of a lunatic).

So let’s start with the obvious.

Harrogate.

Normally I blog from the festival and had every intention of doing so this year. But I forgot to even take photos, such was the madness I encountered. And madness it was. From wonderful, wonderful readers to incredibly talented and hugely accommodating authors, I met so many people that half of them I could barely remember by the end. Not their fault. My memory’s appalling.

The thing about Harrogate this year was that I was delighted to see writers who don’t always get the attention having the chance to bask in the spotlight. Charlie Williams and Ray Banks are two of my favourite writers what you ain’t reading. And the wonderful Zoe Sharp found out the news she’s been sitting on (that her Charlie Fox novels have been optioned by 20th Century Fox) was official thanks to an editor’s offhand, “Didn’t I see an email about you today?”.

It was also great to see Christopher Brookmyre do his thing opening the festival. If you go to see Chris’s current events, you may hear something about Dundee and how someone tried to “ban” him. Let me say on behalf of the city and the bookselling fraternity thereof that the incident was a one-off and believe me, Brookmyre, we want you back.

Other highlights included the sight of Stuart MacBride and Val McDermid miming and dancing the Gay Gordons during the Pub Quiz (did I mention that my rather talented team – including Zoe Sharp, her husband Andy, LC Taylor, Martin Edwards and Chris Ewan – came second? We were beaten by Uber-Agent Jane Gregory’s team, but feel rather respectable that we somehow came ahead of any team featuring criminal brain box Ali Karim) and being last in the bar two nights in a row (they closed it down on us!) and, of course, all the wonderful people at the bar. Because the bar’s where it happens, folks. A recent article by the brilliantly talented Mark Billingham states that “The hotel that hosts the festival has let it be known that the crime-writers and readers that fill the bar every night spend more in one hour than the average wedding party spends in an entire evening.” Like Billingham, I’m rather proud of this stat. Not because of the implied alcoholism, but because for all that drink no one (usually) gets boorish or out of control. It’s a cool atmosphere for the most part, even if chairs do mysteriously appear and disappear for no apparent reason.

So that was fun. And even since coming home I haven’t stopped. I am close to the end of this draft of book #3, which will got to Agent Al very soon. Its been a pain to write, but I think it will all be worthwhile and sometimes coming through the pain of a difficult project can be immensely satisfying.

Then, on Saturday night I took a break and went to see The Roots of Elvis at Perth’s Southern Fried Festival. Now, I’m not an Elvis maniac but I appreciate what he did, and this night wasn’t about capturing the King so much as reminding us of the power of his songs and how they’re still remembered as well as looking at some of the music that inspired him. Or else it was just an excuse for a big ol’ Jam from some very fine musicians. It followed the same format as last year’s Roots of Hank Williams; a bunch of artists from the festival getting together that morning for a swift rehearsal and then just jamming the old Evlis tunes for our entertainment. And that was the appeal. Despite the rumblings from some Elvis Die Hards (the truly scary kind) sitting near me who had no idea that it wasn’t just people impersonating The King (and frankly, that kind of thing I can do without – any tribute act that merely copies what has gone before always seems dead and pointless to me with very few exceptions).

Last year’s big discovery for me was The Wilders, a brilliant bluegrass style band from the US who blew everyone away on the Hank Williams night (later went to see ‘em live at At Andrews, and trust me, they’re on fire, these guys). This year the undisputed star of the show (aside from stalwart entertainer Justin Currie, formerly of Del Amitri and now an excellent solo artist, who managed to accidentally insert some choice swear words into the gospel numbers and who had his very own personal heckler somewhere to my right) was Yolanda Quartey, from Bristol based band Phantom Limb, whose blues/soul voice just blew everyone away. Her infectious energy lifted everyone else’s game up a notch and after a slightly shaky start where some artists had difficulty finding the right key, suddenly the evening lifted to another level. I love these kind of ramshackle shows where you never quite know what’s coming next, and clearly everyone on stage was having a good time, too. I don’t know what Roots they’ll be doing next year, but I’m looking forward to it immensely.

In other news?

Well, people stateside keep an eye out in October. I’ll be coming your way and doing some limited appearances up and down your fine country. Details are being ironed out and I still have a couple dates to fill (any suggestions, we here at These Aye Mean Streets’ll gladly take ‘em, especially if you’re an indie bookstore who wants a rambling Scotsman) but its looking like a fun tour so far. I’ll post the info up here as soon as it’s confirmed.

And do keep an eye out for the upcoming DAMN NEAR DEAD 2, which is due to feature some of the most villainous and terrifying old folks ever to grace a book’s pages. And just check the talent:

Denise Mina
Christa Faust
Don Winslow
Your Bearded Hero
And so many other terrifically talented types that I can’t believe I lucked into this lineup.

And for those who miss my regular ramblings, please do also keep an eye on www.dosomedamage.com where I appear every Friday. But don’t think I’m giving up here. I’ve just been very busy of late. But you all know I love yous.

Right?

Until next time mes amis

Au revoir

Russel

"What do points mean?"

2010-03-31T16:21:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

You're probably wondering what I was lying about a few weeks ago thanks to the machinations of that rapscallion Jay Stringer who got me into the whole meme business in the first place.

Let me say I had some fabby emails and cool comments. But, amazingly enough, despite those tens of entries, only one person guessed right.

Those of you who have met my dad foolishly believed he had indeed rear-ended Steven Speilberg while on holiday in the US. This is not true. But we did overtake him on the freeway (once my dad got used to the automatic drive).

Nobody believed, despite my track record for vomitting on authors and editors*, that I vomitted in the queue to see James Ellroy. But it is true I had to wait around a decade to see him after he cancelled an appearance at the Edinburgh lit festival.

I'm so sorry for McDroll, who insisted I have a fear of porcelain. I'm afraid I do not. But Guybrush Threepwood does, and like him I would love to be a mighty pirate someday.

The lovely Canadian Karin easily believed that I was an extra in Braveheart, despite my recorded antipathy towards the antipodean Gibson. Again, this was a lie, and I was betting many people would believe that the entire population of my fair land wound up as extras in that one. A friend of mine, however, was once an extra in Dr Finlay's Casebook. Which did not star Mel Gibson, but did feature Annette Crosbie who would have been a far more convincing Parker despite being a woman of advanced years. And Scottish.

Others still believed that I had only four toes on one foot (I have never lost a body part due to my idiocy, but I have broken things) and bizarrely no one believed I had won an award for erotic fiction. This last bit was my predicted future in the Bell Baxter High School Yearbook.

No, only Gallagher027 saw the truth. He knew that a man like me must have come from strange stock and that my mother almost called me Shaun until she thought that other children in the playgrounds would chant, "Shaun, Shaun, the Leprechaun." Yes, the minds of my family do work in mysterious ways.

So if Gallagher027 would like to send me his details to crimescenescotland_at_yahoo.co.uk (or by good ol' Twitter) I'll pop out a copy of the hardbacked GOOD SON.

Au revoir

Russel

*For the last time, it was related to my mushroom allergy!

...bodies in the library....

2010-03-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

I have returned from Kirkcaldy, unscathed and unharmed and delighted by the sheer joys of both those readers who braved the descending darkness to come and watch me ramble and the librarians and booksellers who helped put together this rather fine evening.

The event - part of the "Fife Heroes" season of events - was a momentous occasion: my first full length solo event outside of a launch for either book. Could I ramble for a good hour? Could I remember how to do Burns's bastard-gravel voice? Was I about to be lynched for abandoning the homeland and writing about Dundee?

Luckily the fine Kirkcaldy Librarians (who are a bit like the Charlie's Angels of literacy) were on hand to ease me through my worries with some fine coffee beforehand and a lovely glass of red wine following. They also gave me a most wonderful introduction, although I still can't help but laugh when I hear myself referred to as a "Fife Hero".

The crowd was small but dedicated, and I was so thankful to all of them for turning up. But there was a surprise in there. A woman who approached me and asked if I remembered "Sammy The Snake", which threw me for a moment before I suddenly had a strange whiff of a memory in my brain and realised I was talking to a primary school teacher who is one of those people responsible for what I am today. Although Mrs Bruce said she never imagined I'd be a crime writer* it was a delight to see her after so long and to be reminded of one of the people who had truly encouraged me in my creative efforts when I were a nipper.

But it did lead me to a moral quandary... dare I swear in front of the woman who taught me how to tell the time and used to hang her head in frustration when I couldn't grasp the patterns of the Times Tables?

In the end, I admit to mildly editing some parts of the reading. The coward's way out? No, it all went down wonderfully. This was my first chance to read from the US edition of THE GOOD SON, and later I also read a piece from THE LOST SISTER I'd never read before. A longer piece, but I think it went down quite nicely. Also, your Fife Hero got the chance to stick in a hurrah for libraries and librarians and to talk a little about how McNee has evolved and changed as a character over two books.

Anyway, here are a few images from the event:

Yes, my collar was wonky, but it didn't matter since, if we believe this image, I suddenly turned into some kind of slightly camp, nutty professor. This is probably one of the most ludicrous pictures ever taken of me, but luckily I have no ego and thus present it for your viewing pleasure.

After the event, the assembled gathered to buy books and chat about the event. What a fantastic and wonderful bunch of people they were, too.

What's in the glass, you ask? Vodka or water? Only I can say for sure.

And here is your author with one his earliest fans, the aforementioned primary school teacher, Mrs Bruce. Back in primary school, she would refer to the children as her "little ones". Judging by the rotundness of my stomach in this picture, I ain't quite so little any more.

Your beardy hero would like to thank the staff of Kirkcaldy library, the booksellers at Kirkcaldy Waterstones and the lovely, lovely people who turned up on the night. I love doing events like this, and its always worth meeting readers and talking to them about books and about the joy of reading.

Au revoir

Russel

*she figured I was far too quiet, which just goes to show that it is always the quiet kids you should watch out for

The truth? You can't handle the truth!

2010-03-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis
This came from my follow DSD contributor, Jay Stringer. Now, I'm not a big meme man, but I do like to talk absolute rubbish, so I figured why not use the meme and give away that one last spare copy of THE GOOD SON to ayone who can figure out when I'm telling the truth.
Here's the rules of the meme as laid out by Stringer:
-Tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself, and at least one outrageous truth – or – switch it around and tell six outrageous truths and one outrageous lie.

-Nominate some more “Creative Writers” who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies of their own.

-Post links to the blogs you nominate.
And here are the statements with the possible truths and the possible lies:
1) I was so excited when I had the chance to meet James Ellroy that I vomitted on the person in the queue in front of me and had to be escorted from the event. It took ten years for me to finally get the chance to see him again and this time I kept my cool.
2) I have an unnatural fear of porcelain. No, I don't know why, either, but that stuff fuckin' creeps me out.
3) Under a pseodonym, I have been nominated for erotic fiction awards.
4) I was originally to have been called Shaun. But my mum changed her mind because she figured that playground bullies might taunt, "Shaun, Shaun, the leprechaun."
5) First holiday in the US, my dad accidentally rear-ended someone on the freeway. Turned out to be Steven Speilberg.
6) I only have four toes on my left foot after an accident involving a fire door.
7) Despite my well-documented antipathy towards Mel Gibson movies, I was actually an extra in Braveheart.
So... six truths and one lie?
One truth and six lies?
And which statement is the odd one out?
Let's make it more fun for you. If you get it right, I will send you a hardbacked and signed copy of THE GOOD SON. In the event of more than one person gettig it right, there will be another draw from my glamorous assistant.
Go on... you can leave your ideas in the comments thread. Or send your guess and details to crimescenescotland_at_yahoo.co.uk with the header LIAR, LIAR, BEARD'S ON FIRE. Deadline is two weeks from today (sun 28 March).
And, no, I think most folks I'd nominate have done this one so there's no real point tagging, especially as I'm only responding so late after the orginal meme. But if you haven't done this and fancy it, feel free to consider yourself tagged.
Au revoir
Russel

Its a draw!

2010-02-08T07:56:00.001-08:00

Mes Amis

Okay, so it wasn't so much a glamorous assistant as it was my dad, but I should point that from the tens of entries (far more than I expected - so glad to know there are so many of you out there!) the lucky winners plucked from the Top Hat O' Doom are:

In first place Tania Hutchison

and

In second place Stephen D Rogers.

Their packages will be heading out in the next few days. So congrats, guys, and to everyone else, thank you so much for playing. Maybe we'll do this again, soon. And a surprising number of you resisted the urge to say that my investigator was Sam Fox.

In other news, for those of you closer to home, I will be in Kirkcaldy Central Library at 7.30om on 15 March 2010 (tickets £2.50 or £2.00 premier and superfifestyle*) where I'll be talking about my writing and anything else that comes to mind as well as taking all your questions and revealing terrible truths about my life as Fife-born writerist. ** So those in the Fife/Kirkaldy area, please come along and ensure its not just me turning up. Oh, and those lovely folks from Waterstones, Kirkaldy will also be selling copies of the books, so if you ain't bought them you can fill that Russel-shaped hole in your life on the night.

Au revoir

Russel

*no, I don't know either - I guess if you live in Fife these days, you probably will, but since I'm emmigrated to Tayside, I have no idea at all what that means.

**disclaimer - terrible truths may not be as terrible as those you can imagine. Or they may be worse.

Its Competition (and ego massage) time!

2010-01-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Yes, its been quiet round here but I've been working hard in the real world. A visit from the Christmas Distractions Goblin and the New Years Exhaustion Fairy has ensured that I am playing catch up into the new year on many things and hence have gone into stealth mode. But I have been quietly updating over at Do Some Damage and will hopefully be taking part in the new Podcast fun that the guys have been indulging in over there.

I have also been recuperating from last year which was exhausting on many levels, not least of which was this writing lark kicking up more than a couple of gears.

Of course, there has also been the US release of The Good Son. Which has been a dream come true for me; coming up on US crime as I did, getting to try and make a dent over there has been a joy and my first US editor was a joy to work with. I say was because he has (clap clap clap) recently moved onto bigger things at another publishers, but both he and the wonderful chaps and chappesses at St Martin's have made my first US publishing experience a joy.

Anyway, speaking of said publication, I thought I'd hold a wee competition for my three readers of this 'ere blog. Nothing too strenuous. The answer can be found (hint hint hint) somewhere on this very blog - - and (hint hint) you may not even have to dig into the history to find what you're looking for (ooo, look at all those categories in the right hand column, don't they mention many interesting things.)

I have two lovely prizes up for grabs. First prize is a signed copy of both THE GOOD SON (Hardback US edition) and a copy of THE LOST SISTER (paperback UK edition) signed by myself to you, you lovely, lovely person.

Second prize nets ya a copy of the hardback only, but it is signed by my good self, you lucky, lucky person. This comp is open to anyone. Anywhere and will close in one week's time.

All I ask is that you answer this question (and in the style of all those lovely Morning Magazine programmes here in the UK, I'll even make it multiple choice):

Before writing about PI J McNee, I wrote a series of short stories featuring another Scots private eye. Many of these stories appeared in Alfred Hitchcok's Mystery Magazine. What was the name of the private eye in these short stories?
a) Sam Spade
b) Sam Bryson
c) Sam Fox

Pop your answers by email to crimescenescotland_at_yahoo.co.uk clearly marked AYE MEAN STREETS COMPETITION in the subject field and we'll announce winners at some point after wednesday 27 January 2010.

Winners, by the way, will be drawn at random from all the correct answers.

Now if you're asking why you'd want to win these books, well, The Good Son has been gathering some really nice reviews including from the good people at Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, who say, in part:

"McLean has created an intensely complex, credible central character and surrounds him with a skillfully drawn supporting cast. Readers will look forward to a reprise of J. McNee"

The beautiful people at Nights and Weekends who were far, far too kind when they said:

""The Good Son delivers a two-fold punch with its intense plot and poignant depth." (check out the rest of the review here)

And Canada's finest, The Globe and Mail, who call the book:

Clever, tough, witty... a great character study with a wonderful plot and plenty of atmosphere"
(and there's some more great reviews as well as the rest of that one, here)

Those lovely folks at Crimespree magazine weight in again (the lovely Jen Jordan, fiction editor extraordinaire over that way previously said very nice things on the UK release of the novel) on the US release with this beautiful sentiment:

"the future of crime fiction is in a good hands."

And then there's Gumshoe, who say:

"A highly reccomended crime thriller... [I] hope that we haven't seen the last of haunted PI McNee."

What is especially interesting about the gumshoe review is the reviewer's wish list for how he'd like to see the character develop that comes at the end. I'll say this now, that I promise nothing and really I hope I can surprise a few readers in possible future novels...

And for those of you wondering why you'd also want a copy of The Lost Sister, check out recent reviews from the amazing and incredible folks at Crime Squad:

"this excellent second novel proves that [McLean] is no flash in the pan."

Crimesquad.com

And those beautiful and terribly smart people at Euro Crime:

"..gripping and intense... [McNee is a] refreshing change from the usual mainstream crime fiction hero."

Euro Crime

Now, if all of that isn't enough to swell me head to unnatural proportions, I don't know what is...

Until next time mes amis,

au-revoir

Russel

On the Whateverth Day of Christmas...

2009-12-20T04:49:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Let me implore you, as ever, to be kind to retailers this Christmas. Take it from one who knows: they are working their little buttocks off to try and keep things as smooth as they can. So smile at them. Thank them. And please, please don't shout at them.

In other news, I have been writing about noir for The Rap Sheet's Forgotten Books Derek Raymond Christmas Special. When they asked me for my thoughts on Raymond's writing, I was eager to please. But when they handed me my assignment I realised it was on one of the few Raymonds I haven't read. Which gave me the perfect excuse to immerse myself in the deadly British noir of WHERE THE DEAD LIVE, which is not to be confused with Will Self's novel which nicked the title even though Self had never actually read anything of Raymond's when he did the swiping.

In other news, THE GOOD SON sees a resurgence in the UK after Mary Doll* herself - Scots actress, comedienne and all around entertainer, Elaine C Smith - mentioned the book alongside the works of Stieg Laarson, Michael Connelly and Denise Mina in her favourite reads of the year column for The Glasgow Herald. Sadly The Herald's online presence is woeful, so I can't link to that. But clearly Ms Smith is a woman of taste... even if she did once advertise semi-skimmed milk**:

But its still go in the US, too, with Mystery Scene weighing in on the novel (let's skip to the end):

The Good Son moves through the Scottish and English underworld in an atmosphere of delicious gloom. A deadly face-off in a cemetery on a dark and stormy night is a fitting climax to this most noir mystery.

Mystery Scene, we love you.

Anyway, I have a day job to return to and deadlines to meet. So if I don't speak to you before, mes amis, let me say this:

Have a fantastic Christmas (or whichever holiday you choose to celebrate)
And a brilliant new year.

Au revoir, et bon noel.

Russel

*Probably the role for which she is best known; that of the wife of Rab C Nesbit in Scotland's finest and darkest sitcom.
**the devil's milk. Yes, I'm a traditionalist: if I'm drinking milk, gimme the full fat**
***Yes, go on, insert your own jokes about your tubby and bearded hero right here.

The fat crime writer squeezes into The Skinny

2009-12-02T04:36:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

I do like my dinner, so I was as surprised as anyone when I was told I had been mentioned in a magazine called Skinny.

Aha, but mes amis, I soon realised they meant The Skinny and understood that the title is a reference to a zine that gives you the lowdown, the scoop, the inside track. This grand music/culture zine that covers most of Scotland had an excellent Bookish Christmas Gift Guide in its latest issue, and guess which not-that-skinny crime writer got a lovely mention for his second novel?

place of high violence and low morals on the part of both criminals and police officers. Who knew Dundee could be so interesting?

Oh, we'll let that gentle dig at the city fly for now and not only because they go on to call the book a ...

snappily written heart thumper

before going on to say that

This is only McLean’s second novel, and he’s a young writer. The older crime writers should be looking over their shoulders at him and taking note.

You lovely folks at The Skinny, These Aye Mean Streets salute you!

(check out the whole Book Christmas Gift Guide here)

Au revoir

Russel

Now is the Winter... and well, he seems quite contented actually...*

2009-12-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Quiet round here, I know, as I do various terrible things for various terrible people, but poking my head up to let you know that the wonderful Jim Winter at January Magazine has weighed in on the upcoming (Dec 8th!) release of THE GOOD SON in the US by St Martin's Press and he has the following to say:

Not as violent or coarse as fellow authors Ken Bruen and Ray Banks, McLean nonetheless skillfully mines the same ground for a bleak and desperate literary landscape.

Oh, yes. I like that. Bleak and desolate is good, although my mum might disagree about the coarseness...

But the jewel in the crown is coming:

Whatever comes next promises to be ever bit as hopeless and violent as The Good Son. And that’s a good thing. McLean has scored in his first novel.

Oh, yes. You want to check everything Jim has to say? Clickety-click my friends.

Whaddaya mean you want more?

Oh, okay, howsabout this interview that I apparently totally failed to link to before that concerns the UK release of THE LOST SISTER?

And then check out 7 quick questions from a man named Weeb** over at Writing Raw.

Has that sated your appetite? I certainly hope so. But have no fear, mes amis, I'll be back soon.

And yes, I don't know if that's a threat or a promise either.

Au revoir

Russel

*With big ol' apologies to Bill Shakespeare. Mind you this isn't half as good as the perhaps apocryphal Ad campaign run by an outdoors shop in Edinburgh many years ago that allegedly displayed a sign outside proclaiming "Now is the discount of our winter tents".

**Which incidentally was the name of the rought draft of Johnny Cash's eventual hit that became "A Boy Named Sue".

Flashback (with GJ Moffat)

2009-11-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

After a very long time some pictures have been sent my way of the Dundee Literary Festival where, earlier this year, I appeared with the fantastic GJ Moffat, author of Daisy Chain. The event was nicely attended by an enthusiastic audience who, after our readings, got straight down to the business of questions.

The photos are courtesy of the enormously talented Ross McLean* who kindly passed on some images of the event.

Here we have the estimable Mr Moffat reading out a pre-prepared statement of intent. At this point, your beardy hero was thinking, "ulp, we were supposed to be prepared?"

Luckily, I had to hand a copy of THE GOOD SON so read out the sweary bits for all the nervous ladies in the audience. That was okay, because at lunchtime on a Friday and in front of a crowd of Dundee women (and a smattering of chaps, too), Gary had just read out the rather sweaty sex scene that opens DAISY CHAIN.

After all that sex and violence, our moderator - the charming and rather brilliant Robin Pilcher - had to go and have a lie down with a damp towel over his forehead. So we moved the podium to one side and took questions from the audience. Look closely and you can see one of their feet dangling into frame in the picture above.

After the signing was over, we signed for the lovely folks at Borders who were sponsoring the festival and chatted to fans. By this point, we were both starting to hallucinate having only grazed on sandwiches left behind by the lunchtime "Poem and a Piece" event. But according to our two adoring fans (pictured), this made for some great entertainment as the crowds took bets on who would collapse of hunger first.

Anyway, folks, that was a flashback to a grand event, and let me say, if you're in Dundee for the lit festival, they really do lay on a fine series of events.

And if you're in the mood for a Glasgow thriller with a Cobenesque styling to the action, I would also say you might want to take a peek at Mr Moffat.

Au revoir

Russel
*no relation. But we did once work together. It was very confusing on payroll having two R McLeans.

"Assured and uncompromising."

2009-11-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Rock on those lovely folks at The Big Issue, especially Doug Johnstone, for the recent (and wonderful) review of THE LOST SISTER.

Its a short 'un, but good, and to set up the context, it follows on from a review of a poetry collection:

"...Not poetic, but certainly compelling is THE LOST SISTER by Russel D McLean. Set in Dundee, its a hard-boiled and heavily stylised crime-noir tale, the followup to the author's debut. THE GOOD SON. Once more we journey with private eye McNee as he trudges through the underbelly of the City of Discovery, in an assured and uncompromising tale to whet the appetite of hardcore crime fans."

Oh, yes. I'm liking that. Especially the "assured and uncompromising" bit.

And the word "compelling," too.

Anyway, I am returning to the bactcave for a while to work on some terrible secret projects. I am behind with correspondence, so anyone expecting to hear from me... I will be with you asap!

Au revoir

Russel

"I can barely remember what I wrote in this one"

2009-10-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Not quite the same as being there, but with thanks to my Dad, a couple of clips of the launch of THE LOST SISTER now exist online. There was apparently a third clip but its been deleted by an act of God (or a wrong button pressed - only you can decide!).

Anyway, here I am about to try and read from the opening of the book when a couple of heckles and an unexpected intruder put pay to my plans:

And here I am finally getting back into order and reading the prologue of the novel.

Of course, there was far more than that going on, but as you can see I got at least one decent laugh out of the evening and that's all that counts.

Its also worth noting that THE LOST SISTER made it into the Scottish Interest Charts from Waterstones at #8 this week (as seen in this week's wondrous Glasgow Herald), one behind that master of mirth Christopher Broookmyre (SNOWBALL IN HELL is great fun!), several more behind that rapscallion Stuart MacBride (if you ain't read HALFHEAD, do it NOW! - after reading THE LOST SISTER, obviously) but frighteningly, one place ahead of Literary Genius Iain Banks (I haven't read TRANSITION yet, but its on me list!) ! Of course, with your help perhaps we can make it two weeks before I drop out of the charts altogether. So go ahead, purchase away my legions - - let us make this the Age of the Russel - free beards for all!

Right... now to go and catch up on stuff what I should have done ages ago...

Au revoir

Russel

Lost and Found

2009-10-04T04:50:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Huge, incredibly grateful thanks to all of you who showed up for the launch of THE LOST SISTER on Thursday night (and if anyone can confirm rumours that the launch was mentioned on STV the next day, please tell me). With incredibly grateful thanks to the wondrous staff at Drouthy's bar on the Perth Road for opening their vaults to our madness. The event went very well indeed and with enormous thanks to my big, bad boss Gordon Dow for introducing the whole shebang and Scotsman journalist Dave Lewis for providing insightful questions (and, apparently, eye candy for the ladies - - as if I wasn't enough, eh? Eh?)

Sales were nice and everyone enjoyed the bar afterwards. And, no, that wasn't a pint of vodka I was drinking during the interview - it was actually water. I saved the beer till later.

Anyway, here's some photos for those of you who weren't there, and if you want an unbiased view of the event (and a competition to win the book if you can guess my food allergy - the pun is in the question) go visit the wonderful Donna Moore post haste.

Let's start with me and Dave up in the pulpit...

And then the crowds in one one half of the bar (the room was a funny shape so there are more folks out of shot, many of them standing near the stairs where apparently you could only hear the "short, funny looking one with the loud voice")

And here's some of me signing, too, afterwards.

And finally - a celebratory pint: I survived!

So there we have it. A whole evening encapsulated in a few photographs. As ever, thanks to those who showed up, my agent Al Guthrie for all his efforts in getting me here, my UK publishers, Five Leaves Publications for getting the book out to the world and Dave Lewis for agreeing to do the interview.

And of course all those booksellers who made book #2 a viable proposition! You guys have a harder job than most people realise...

And now, mes amis, I'm going to go and sleep...

Au revoir

Russel

Release the beast!

2009-10-01T03:06:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

How time flies, eh? It seems less than a year ago that THE GOOD SON was unleashed upon the world and now... well, THE LOST SISTER has arrived as well. Yes, although some shops have had it in stock today is the official release date for PI J McNee's second case, and this time, well, let's say that things are going to get pretty deadly for our man McNee.

If you want more info check out this interview conducted by thriller writer Derek Gunn for the ITW.

Or this discussion of the modern UK PI with Jay Stringer and Ray "Dirty, hard and fast" Banks over at Do Some Damage.

You might also be interested to know that Library Journal has weighed in on the US release of THE GOOD SON with a lovely wee starred review that runs:

J. McNee, a police detective–turned–private investigator, is just existing in Dundee, Scotland, as he avoids the truth about his wife’s fatal car crash for which her family blames him. When a local farmer asks him to determine why his estranged brother hanged himself, McNee goes up against his former mates in the force and must come to grips with his own life. In this impressive first novel, McNee is a down-and-out failure in the mold of Ken Bruen’s sleuths, but he overcomes the case’s complexities, the lack of respect for his profession, and his own personal hang-ups to triumph in the end. Verdict With a great blurb from John Connolly, this newest addition to the Scottish noir tradition will appeal to fans of Ian Rankin and Stuart McBride as well as readers of Jim Kelly.

And yes, I did notice two tiny errors - number one, Its McNee's fiancee who died in the crash and number two, the Abdernonian rapscallion mentioned at the end is a "Mac" not a "Mc". All that aside, of course, its a bloody nice review and fills me with confidence for the stateside release of this novel.

Speaking of Stateside I am not attending this year's Bouchercon in Indy due to cashflow reasons, but have plans to attend next year's soiree in San Francisco and maybe some more interesting ideas up my sleeve as well... stay tuned!

Au revoir

Russel

They're heeeeere...

2009-09-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Its a bouncing baby book! Yes, author copies of THE LOST SISTER are here and thus, let me share with you...

Its a book in a box!

Its a book on the floor!

And, yes, I'm fairly sure these two siblings aren't going to start arguing and trying to get each other in trouble all the time.

The detial in the photos isn't fab, but close up that cover to THE LOST SISTER is very nice indeed... the view across the Tay Bridge to Dundee is nice and sinister and the blood red waters if the river itself are rather intimidating...

Au revoir

Russel

Open for business

2009-09-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Last year Russeldmclean.com opened for business. Unfortunately we were hit by a particularly malicious bunch of spammers who took over the site for their own ends. The results weren't particularly nice, and worse, were hard to get rid of. Of course, it says something about how it doesn't matter who you are to these guys when we note that Tayside Police also recently had some problems of their own. I suppose I should be thankful for small mercies. Having endured Frankie Boyle's live show last time he came to Dundee (thankfully the tickets I got were free), I go into shell shock every time I see his self-satisfied mug.

Anyway, in response to the attacks, I took down any and all links to the site until things could be sorted. But now the links are restored, and we're back up and running again with all new and improved content at www.russeldmclean.com.

Au revoir

Russel

A brief commercial break

2009-09-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Last year I wrote a short story for the yearly anthology, NEW WRITING DUNDEE, a modestly price £5 collection edited by those fine folks at Literary Dundee. The story itself was probably the pulpiest in the collection, concerning an aging hitman, a sackload of guilt and a morally ambiguous favour for a friend.

Now, it seems, the floodgates are open once more more and the the brilliantly talented editors are looking for more submissions. Quoth the submission monkeys:

New Writing Dundee

New Writing Dundee is a literary anthology featuring both new authors and invited published artists. Celebrating its fifth year, this book is a Dundee community based project with an international reputation. The last two issues have gone through two print runs and have held its own event at the Dundee Literary Festival.

For the 2010 issue we are seeking submissions from the general public. The book is open to all styles, genres, themes and nationalities. Send in your prose, poetry, essays, drama and creative non-fiction by 1 November, 2009. For more information go to http://www.literarydundee.co.uk/newwriting.htm.

Not only that, but I'm also told that the submissions for the Dundee Book Award are open again. Won this year by the lovely Chris Longmuir for her crime debut, DEAD WOOD. Quoth the prize monkeys:

Dundee International Book Prize

Submissions of a full-length unpublished novels are now being accepted for The Dundee International Book Prize. Running into its 6th year, its £10,000 cash award together with publication, make The Dundee International Book Prize highly valued by tomorrow's great new writers seeking to break into the publishing world.

The first four Dundee Book Prize winning novels have all gone on to have success. The authors have also gone on to produce further works of fiction and non-fiction. Andrew Murray Scott's book Tumulus detailed bohemian Dundee through the 60s and 70s to the present day. The winning novel in 2002, Claire-Marie Watson's The Curewife drew on the tale of Dundee's last execution of a witch - Grissel Jaffray in 1669 and the winner in 2005 was Malcolm Archibald's adventure on a whaling ship Whales for a Wizard. 2007 saw French resident Fiona Dunscombe scoop the accolade with her gritty, dark and full of life novel The Triple Point of Water .

The novel must be in English but can be of any theme or genre, and the competition is open to the general public of any nationality. For submissions guidelines please go to: www.dundeebookprize.com or contact literarydundee@gmail.com for more information.
The Dundee International Book Prize is a joint venture between the City of Discovery Campaign, the University of Dundee and Birlinn Ltd, publishers of the Polygon imprint.

The same people behind both projects also run the excellent Dundee Literary Festival who, for some reason, allowed your humble blogger to run amok this year in the company of the excellent GJ Moffat.

We now return to the usual ramblings...

Au revoir

Russel

Assorted nonsense

2009-09-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

More at DO SOME DAMAGE these last couple of weeks as I talk about my formative experiences as a writer and why I love my agent (even if does beat me about the head with a baseball bat every time I make a mistake).

I'm not abandoning this blog, as some of you have been concerned, but with other things taking up my time and the commitment to DSD being weeklug, I have been quieter than usual preparing to take over the world with THE LOST SISTER in October and the US release of THE GOOD SON in October.

Which allows to segue nicely into these very nice words from CWA Short story dagger winner (among numerous other well deserved wins within the publishing world) Sean Chercover:

"Russel D. McLean flat-out rocks the house with this outstanding debut. Taut, tough, and profoundly touching, THE GOOD SON signals the start of a big career. I loved this book, can't wait for the next one."

And now, I must go, mes amis, deflate my ego and finish book #3.

Au revoir

Russel

Pulling back the veil

2009-08-25T00:35:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

After several design changes, and some long discussions, Five Leaves Publications and your humble author present the cover for the UK edition of THE LOST SISTER.

Au revoir

Russel

Quiet... but not for long...

2009-08-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

If you've missed the last couple of weeks over on DO SOME DAMAGE, why not go over and check out my rant on swearing and what I think about Christopher Brookmyre subtly switching genres.

Be assured, of course, I'm not abandoning this place, either. But I have been holed away doing edits on THE LOST SISTER so that everything is hunky dory for release in October. Yes, October! A new cover will be available soon (oooo!) and then we'll be rocking.

In the meantime, go over to Suite 101 and see what I had to say about my mysterious writing habits. And maybe think about coming to Dundee on 24 September where I will be talking with top selling true crime writer Alexander McGregor as he prepares to unleash an updated version of the bestelling THE LAW KILLERS upon the world. Fact, fiction and everything in between will be being talked about at 7pm on 24 September at the Tower Building at the university of Dundee, and tickets can be bought from Waterstones, 35 commercial street, Dundee for the incredibly reasonable sum of £3. Call 01382 200322 (during business hours, naturally) and talk to those wonderful Waterstones booksellers for more details or to reserve tickets.

Anyway, I'm slinking back to the dungeon so I can continue my terrible experiments. Until next time, friends,

Au revoir

Russel

"Short People are just the same as you and I..."

2009-08-07T10:28:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Am I being sizeist? Or am I talking about writing petite stories? Only one to find out, and that's by popping over to my inaugural post at Do Some Damage.

And while you're there, check out my fellow Groggers* - Dave White, Jay Stringer, Scott Parker, Steve Weddle and John McFetridge, some of the baddest guys ever to wield a keyboard.

I'll be posting every Thursday - - let's see if I can keep to that schedule...

Au revoir

Russel

*If someone's lied about this being a real word...

And the winner is....

2009-07-23T17:45:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Greetings from (not so) sunny Harrogate where I seem to have developed a mutant ability to avoid the downpours that have been starting and stopping all day.

The journey here was uneventful and only eighteen minutes late. However, I am confused by York station who do not have rubbish bins anywhere. Nope, I was told by a guard just to drop my litter and someone would pick it up!

The big news of the night, of course, is that Mark Billingham won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the year. Very well done to him and all the shortlistees! Although are fourteen writers really a shortlist?

Other than that, we're talking the usual bouts of drinking (well not so much for me – taking it easy, don't'cha'know) eating (Mmmm... burritos) and general mayhem. Met thriller writer Matt Hilton earlier today in the company of man about mystery Ali Karim and Ali's family who all seem to agree that I look like Ricky Gervais. I still don't know if this is a good thing. Also present were the ever charming Declan Hughes, the ever terrifying John Rickards and the exceedingly jetlagged* Stuart MacBride.

Lots of discussions about the state of the genre including one topic which I will be talking about on a new grog** next week if all goes according to plan. But for now I am going to sleep.

Au revoir

Russel
*He just came back from Australia where he saw a lot of kangaroos.
** That's a group blog. Yes, I'm up to some shennanigans and hanging around with some very bad influences. More info as it becomes available!

"f you see me, say hello..."

2009-07-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Despite some... setbacks*... lately, I will be travelling down south to the land of England next week for the Harrogate Crime Festival. Not to appear on any panels. Just to hang around the bar** and soak up the atmosphere.

So if you see me, come and say hello. I don't bite. Despite what I'm sure some people will say in the comments.

And here's an added incentive:

I shall have several copies of THE GOOD SON, that fine debut novel what was released last year, in a bag. Now what use are they there, I hear you ask. Well, they're useful because if you come up and ask me, I shall - gratis, for free - give you one. No catch. Except its while stocks last. And there's a very small number of them because I travel light. If you like it, feel free to tell lots and lots of other people to buy copies.

And did I mention that in October, there's a sequel? Yes, THE LOST SISTER shall be released then, and frankly I'm very giddy about that prospect.

But that could all be down to the painkillers.

Au revoir

Russel

*Let's just say twisted back muscles, irritated staff at Ninewells hospital, ouchie-ouchie
**And again likely not drink because of the pain killers - - the universe seems to have been conpsiring against me the last couple of years

Rants and reviews

2009-06-29T17:06:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Watch me get righteous about writing (well, rant about my personal pet peeve which is those who talk about writing but never actually do it) when Sandra Ruttan asks me what advice I would give would be writers over at the new issue of Spinetingler. Sandra is a grand interviewer, and a lot of these questions gave me stuff to chew over. But trust me when I say I know next to nothing about how you get on in this business except for that one nugget that is so damn important, I think it bears repeating on this 'ere blog:

write.
the.
damn.
book.

You can't do anything else without doing that.

While I'm here, I'll also shout out to a grand review that appeared on the Inpress site for THE GOOD SON from some fellow called David Brimage. Its reviews like that which make this gig worthwhile. Along with the lovely folks who came up to me after my recent lit fest appearance to mention how caught up they were in the book's narrative. Knowing you've got a couple of honest to God readers who've got the book is what makes it worthwhile. Because when we write, its not for our peers or to impress the professional reviewers so much as it is to impress the readers. They are the ones that matter in the end. They are the ones shelling out the bucks for a book, and we need to remember that its their experience that counts, that ensures repeat sales. Of course, I still love adoration from my writing peers (and betters!) and you beautiful professional reviewers.... Its all good, in fact.

Anyway, in other news I just turned twenty nine. Not that I'm complaining. But its very odd because in my heart of hearts, I still feel only about twenty one. I'm not ready to behave maturely quite yet.

Au revoir

Russel

In which our bearded hero talks nonsense and drinks much wine...

2009-06-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

I woke up a little fuzzy on saturday. That's because on Friday I ate nought but a tiny round roll during the day and drank free wine and champagne in the evening. All of this thanks to the wonderful people at the Dundee Literary Festival.

I should add that my fasting during the day was not their fault. They had asked me to do a panel with Glasgow's latest thriller writer, GJ Moffatt. Despite certain people's misinterpretation the G stands for Gary and he is decidedly a bloke... or else a very strange looking lady.

Anyway, I tend to be slightly unhinged before panels, and therefore don't tend to eat much. But when Gary arrived at the festival to meet with myself and our moderator, Robin Pilcher* he too realised he hadn't eaten and insisted we raid the remains of the "Poem and a Piece" panel that had been going on over lunchtime. Which was a grand idea, even if I could only force down one measly roll.

The panel itself was fun. I had no idea what to expect, and it turned into an excellent Q&A with a very smart and learned audience. A woman outed herself as a psychiatrist, which was probably a mistake as it gave me lots of fodder for jokes the rest of the panel.

Anyway, Gary is a geat bloke and if you like your thrillers all Cobenesque and twisty you should really give Daisy Chain a shot.

The festival was a great success. The organisers - particularly the wonderful Anna Day - seem to have crafted an excellent series of events, and everyone had a smile on their faces.

It was also excellent to meet one the big brains behind the yearly anthology, the effervescent Rachel Marsh, whose absolute enthusiasm and dedication to discovering good writing is clearly one of the driving forces behind the collection and is in even more evidence in person.

In the evening, I had somehow been invited to the announcement of the Dundee Book Prize, the unveiling of the winner to take place at the event. We heard readings from the shortlistees between courses of a surprisingly tasty meal courtesy of the Apex, Dundee. Of course I was the only one there a little uncertain of dinner ettiquette and also managed to spill wine while trying to be helpful. But luckily those at my table saw the funny side of it all. Except maybe the asst manager from the dayjob who was across the other side of the table and cringing as he watched me go to work.

The prize itself had been won (it actually happens in November, but is not publicly annouced until the evening when the book itself is published) by Chris Longmuir's DEAD WOOD. Chris is from the city and perhaps more importantly she is a crime writer. Her debut novel has come close to publication so many times and I've had the pleasure of meeting her at the Harrogate Crime Festival over the last few years. It was truly a delight to see her win - and finally be able to admit it - and the book itself has been very handsomely handled by those fine folks from Polygon.

All in all a great day, and a the DLF - which last through the weekend including comic book panels on Sunday - has once again been a great success, and my hat is off to the people who took the time and energy to organise everything that kept not only the writers but also the readers exceedingly happy and satisfied.

Au revoir

Russel

*Who is one of the brains behind the short story site, ShortBread.

Lessons Learned from Crime Writists

2009-06-17T02:10:00.000-07:00

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

Covered

2009-06-16T08:29:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis
Look to the right and you'll see the tiny thumbnail image of THE LOST SISTER due from Five Leaves this October. I do not have a larger copy at the moment and there may still be some changes due, but this image appeared at the Five Leaves website a wee while ago and thus is fit for public consumption. Last I knew the quote along the bottom will come from the estimable Mr Tony Black.

So the questions remain, what does a bloodied old axe have to do with J McNee? Will that wily old bastard David Burns make a comeback? What exactly is the deal with Susan Bright anyway? And is it true that this book features a bearded psychopath?

For the answers to all these questions - and ones you never even thought of asking - you'll have to wait until october, my friends.

And as soon as we have a larger image, I'll post that one, too!

Au revoir
Russel

Speaking of Lazarus...

2009-06-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Come on... admit it... you knew he wasn't dead. Yes, two and a half years after being gunned down, Captain America is back. So, in celebration of his return, let us all sing together:

(tip o' the mask to Jon Jordan who twittered the link earlier today)
Au revoir

Russel

Like Lazarus... only not.

2009-06-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Yes, I haven't been exactly sociable of late. Mostly day job related and the fact I am really pushing to get the potential book #3 into a state where Agent Al will look it and go, "verily, it is worth pursuing, sirrah"*.

So no I'm not dead. Just vewy vewy quiet.

If you want proof I would book tickets for the Dundee Literary Festival (see the link the sidebar) on 26th June at 1:30pm. Myself and the estimable GJ Moffat will be behaving like performing seals for your pleasure and it would be wonderful if we were able to do so in front of a room of people. Because we tend to feel silly when its just us (I actually have no idea how ticket sales are going, but this is just an extra shove).

Speaking of crime writerly events. The Dundee Book Events folks are having an event with that jackanapes Stuart MacBride and the sophisticated Aline Templeton on Tuesday 16th June in the Tower Extension Lecture Theatre in Dundee. Call Waterstones Dundee on 01382 200 322 and tell 'em that rapscallion McLean sent ya. Tickets are £3 each and more info can be found at the DBE blog at dundeebookevents.blogspot.com. And yes, I did help them set it up. But only because they're lovely, lovely people.

Moving from events future to events past, I'd like to give a brief mention to the brilliant Tony Black who launched his latest novel GUTTED in Edinburgh the other week. A full review is due up on the Crime Scene Scotland reviews website along with my thoughts on Nate Flexer's The Dissasembled Man and a whole heaping of other titles.

Oh, and can I just say that Colin Bateman captures the absurduity of a bookseller's life quite wonderfully in his latest novel, Mystery Man. I haven't laughed so hard in ages, particularly at the John Grisham cameo.

Au revoir

Russel

*For we all know that is how Mr Guthrie speaks

Get Rich Cheating...

2009-05-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

The thing is... I could almost believe it was real...

(Website here: http://GetRichCheating.com , and hat tip to the flick filosopher where I noticed it first)

Au revoir

Russel

"I'd been waiting for two one-legged twins to turn up."

2009-05-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

The best detective novel ever written (and brought up recently by that bloody brilliant, smart-as-a-chap-with-two-heads SF writer China Mieville, who's been talking about crime fiction recently) is, of course, LADY DON'T FALL BACKWARDS, by Darcy Santo: and what an ending it had, too:

This brings back many memories for me; my dad is a big Hancock fan, and this was always one of his favourite episodes (mine too, as it happens).

(With hat tip to Ray Banks who pointed out Mieville's thoughts and posted the clip first)

Au revoir

Russel

"I come to bury Ceaser, not to praise him..."

2009-05-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

No need for words, just... the Shat...

(Hat tip to David Hewson)

Au revoir

Russel

Who said romance was dead?

2009-05-24T06:49:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

I do enjoy radio 4's The News Quiz, these days hosted by Sandi Toksvig, and admit a fondness for the typos and bad headlines that tend to feature between the questions.

But this week, one particularly lead-in to an article made me laugh like a drain. From The Clare People:

"A NORTH Clare resident who admitted to masturbating while following young women around Galway City may be stripped of his crown as Ireland’s Most Romantic Man."

I guess it all depends on your definition of romance. However, further investigation into the article leads to this gem of a double entendre when discussing how the accused and his girlfriend became Ireland's most romantic couple:

"The couple beat off stiff competition from dozens of other entries from the whole island of Ireland to win the prize."

'Nuff said, I believe.

Au revoir

Russel

Warning

2009-05-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

As some of you know we were in the process of setting up an official site, but the eagle eyed will notice I have removed all links. This is because the person in charge of the site has been hit by malware which also seems to have infected the site itself. Until further notice, I would ask anyone who links to russeldmclean.com to remove any links and not go near the site until everything has been cleaned up.

This blog and the crime scene scotland blog are run by me and therfore not affected.

In other news, novel #3 is progressing at a steadier pace.

Au revoir

Russel

"Trust me I've been through worse"

2009-05-05T04:26:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Been a while since I posted a movie review up here. Shame cos I do enjoy them, especially when it comes to bad, mediocre or films that make next to no sense.

So in honour of these traits, I proudly prevent my thoughts on the most elegantly titled movie in the last thirty years: X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Oh, and if you care about such things: SPOILERS AHEAD, BUB! (like it matters?)

If the film had been titled plain Wolverine, I don't think I'd have been so worried. But that X-Men: Origins tag sounds more like a computer game (and indeed, seeing the game's trailer in the cinema, I'd rather play that) and that's got to be a worrying sign.

Wolverine (let's pretend the tag never existed) starts with an homage to the comics series that inspired it. I remember reading the Wolverine Origins comic many years ago and rather enjoying all the stuff set in the 1800's with a sickly little boy discovering he had a berserker rage and bone claws. It was cheesy but handled well.

In the film, this is all relegated to a cheap five minute sequence which even includes the plot twist of Logan's dad* not actually being Logan's dad (served a purpose in the comics, but here is just superflous). Now all of this would be fine except... Logan's dad looks EXACTLY like Logan will in around one hundred years time. Now I'm no scientist, but the odds of you growing up to look like your adopted parent are.... ooo... I'd say pretty slim.

This scene isn't helped either by the fact that they got the most ridiculous kid they could to play the young Logan. Yes, he's mean to look sickly as his powers kick in (if you had bone claws growing inside you when you hit puberty, you'd feel a little poorly too) but when he goes into a "beserker" rage, its one of the funniest things you'll see in cinemas all years. The kid yells and runs like a girl towards the man who's killed his father. Well, even runs is too generous a word. He kind of flops his limbs about to achieve movement. This kid is going to be the most bad ass superpowered anti-hero ever to spring from the comics pages?

Anyway, its all over mercifully quick and then Wolverine: The Movie starts ripping off Watchmen: The Movie with a long credits sequence that shows Wolverine and his brother (did I mention that the villain Sabretooth, whose power seems to be having very long nails and leaping about in swiftly assembled CGI leaps and bounds, is Wolverine's bother? I didn't? Well you'll have to keep up) fighting in every major US conflict they can think of including a laughably brilliant swipe at Saving Private Ryan that feels more like an accidental piss-take than something that was actuall thought through.

Chalk this up as Wolverine's major problem: the script is incoherent in tone, plot and character. Seriously, its like there were two scriptwriters sealed in a room who had each read three Marvel comics as research and then decided to play a game of Consequences rather than write an actual script with, ya know, a plot and characters.

Anyway, once all the backstory is quite unnecesarily established, Wolverine and his brother wind up in some Government backed program for Mutant Mercenaries run by William Stryker, whom we last saw in X Men 2 bering played by Dundee's own Bryan Cox. Stryker doesn't hate mutants at this point so much as see them as lab rats and quite what he is doing leading this team is unclear.

Anyway his team of rag-bag mutants need to fill ten minutes screen time, so they get to show their powers on some secret mission. Only two of these guys are recognisable from comic books. One of them is the villian called The Blob, who is a big fat guy who can absorb any kind of shock. In the film, he's a super strong chap who will later on develop an eating disorder so that everyone can mock him.

The other is Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, aka The Merc With The Mouth. Now, I'm not a stickler for them sticking to comic book origins, so if they want to make Wade a mutant** and not some ordinary mercenary who signed up to be experimented on then that's cool. But I do have a major problem. One of Deadpool's major characteristics is that he never never never shuts up. He's chopping off guy's heads and making wisecracks while he does it. Its a major appeal for the character. Now if they had just a guy named Wade Wilson, I wouldn't have cared. Doesn't have to be the same character on screen.

But... and here's the BUT

Every character in the squad talks and talks incessantly about how Wade WON'T SHUT UP. To the point where later in the film, THEY STITCH HIS MOUTH SHUT. But here's my problem: Wade doesn't say anything. He makes one crack about Sabretooth's girly nails ("You got nails like a baglady") and a joke about elevator music AND THAT'S IT. The rest of the time everyone tells him to shut up EVEN WHEN HE ISN'T SAYING ANYTHING. And yes, I'm shouting, but it is an absolutely unforgiveable screen writing sin. There are many opportunities here for an actor like Ryan Reynolds to simply improv his lines and steal nearly every scene he's in. I think he could do it, too. Reynolds career has been a big waste of screen time but that's more due to his scripts I think than him. I think he was fine casting as Deadpool, but not with this script.

So anyway, these guys go on a mission. It goes out of control. Logan goes off to shack up with a schoolteacher. And years pass.

Until the team starts dying. Did I mentioned that one of the hobbits from Lord of the Rings was in the team? I didn't. Yeah, well I forgot too until he was killed ten years after the team disbanded. I think he makes the lights turn on. Something like that. Does it matter? One of Stryker's mutants seemed to have the mutant power of being able to shoot guns real good.

Irrespective and irregardless, the light bulb hobbit's death gets the ball rolling, reveals that Sabretooth is randomly killing off the old team and brings Logan back to his animal instintcs as he hunts for revenge, reams up with Stryker and is given his admantium skeleton which makes him nigh on indestructible.

After this, the movie descends into anarchy. Any pretence at plot goes out the window as everyone double and triple crosses everyone else for no good reason. The climax of the film takes place on Three Mile Island, and when Wolverine finally confronts his tormentors, for NO REASON AT ALL he just WALKS AWAY FROM THEM. They drop a bombshell on him that, if his character was consistently written, should have sent ol' Wolvie into a bloodthirsty rage. But no, he decides to take a stroll instead until someone has to actually remind him that he's there for revenge and justice and all that good stuff.

Seriously, this is a film with no internal logic at all. It has two saving graces. Liev Scrheiber, as Sabretooth, somehow manages to get across all this primal rage and anger through lines that sound like they were written for subpar Saturday morning kids TV. And Jackman is clearly committed to the character of Wolverine. Through all the script inconsistenies, he somehow creates a convincing performance that grounds the movie with some sense of watchability beyond the car crash feeling of "what the hell are they doing now?".

Afer Iron Man and Nolan's Batman movies, there was a feeling comic book movies could be internally consistent methods of storytelling, that maybe the stories and characters were finally getting respect from scriptwriters who understood that comic book storytelling is not some subpar form of entertainment designed for clueless morons. And hell, considering this movie comes from the series that helped make the comic book movie near respectable (Bryan Singers first two X Men movies, love em or hate em were the first since Burton's Bat Man to even attempt to treat film goers with respect) that's a major dissapointment.

Sadly, aside from two solid performances from Schreiber and Jackman, X Men Origins : Wolverine is a loud mess that sometimes feels as though even the effects have been scrimped on (how can Wolvie's claws look cheaper now than they did back in Singer's films?). I don't demmand much from my action movies, but internal consistency and a sense of danger would really, really have helped matters move along.

Oh, and did I mention Patrick Stewart has a cameo as a younger version of Charles Xavier? They've digitally de-aged him in a way that looks like they stuck clothes pins to the back of his skull in order to tighten the skin. I just hope he got a damn good paycheque.

Au revoir

Russel

*For those not steeped in comics lore, Wolverine's real name is Logan.
**His ability seems to be swinging around his swords really really really fast.

"I started out with nothing and I still got most of it left..."

2009-05-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Yeah, its been quiet round here of late, so let me quell your fears with some music. Presenting Seasick Steve with a song that most writers should be able to identify with:

There'll be real news soon enough, believe me.

Au revoir

Russel

"How people can read Mind if they could read Sweet & Smith beats me."

2009-04-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

It is now official: the sequel to THE GOOD SON, titled THE LOST SISTER will be published by Five Leaves Publications in the UK. I do not currently have definite dates, but will update you as things progress.

What's that I hear you cry? What's this one all about? Well, since you twisted my arm...

THE LOST SISTER finds Dundonian Private Investigator J McNee getting in over his head when a teenage girl - who happens to be local hard man David Burn's God Daughter - goes missing. Attached to the police investigation as an "observer", McNee soon finds himself following up his own leads when he is contacted by an ex-investigator who thinks he knows what happened to the girl. But can McNee trust his own instincts? And is he already too late to save Mary Furst?

On top of that, a while back I was interrogated by that dashing new master of Scots noir Tony Black for Shots Magazine, and now that interview has turned up online here. We talk Crime Scene Scotland (and its demise as a full zine), short stories, the fact that I don't remember winning a prize and of course, THE GOOD SON. On top of that we also squeeze in philosophy and the fact that Wittgenstein was a hardboiled fan at heart.

Au revoir

Russel

"Unnacustomed as I am to public speaking..."

2009-04-02T04:18:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Its been a long time since I was at university. In my last couple of years I had to regularly present ideas and potential papers to my peers to convince everyone that I was actually doing the work I sai I was. I was always nervous about it. More so than when I have to do an event, I think because I knew that there was something at stake here; I was presenting work not to interested parties, but to people who knew their stuff inside out, who wanted to be dazzled by that which they did not know, not merely entertained.

On Monday I had some of those old fears come back to me when I went to talk to a fourth year English seminar at Dundee university. Oh, sure, the wonderful Dr Aliki Varvogli - who is a true friend to crime fiction - had assured me that all would be fine, but I couldn't help remembering some of the old pressures. And when I learned they'd already had a few other guest speakers including the learned Andrew Pepper who by all acounts was witty, informed and supremely able to answer any questions thrown at him, my fears went into overdrive.

Unneccearily, it seems, because it was great fun talking to these folks, And even more reassuring that none of them dropped off to sleep as I remember doing on occasion when we used to have guest speakers. A lot of what I talked about was apparently very relevant to the course, which focussed on American crime fiction. Being that my influences are near exclusively stateside, I talked about what appealed to me in what they wrote, how it differed from the Brit crime I knew when I was coming up in the scene (and how a great deal of that has thankfully changed) and about whether I was really interested in crime fiction.

Yes, that last one was an unexpected question: "are you interested in crime? Or crime fiction?" A tough one to answer, and my answer was long and rambling, but in the end it came down to this: I'm not interested in mysteries. I'm not interested in justice restored. I don't care how someone committed a crime. I don't care if we ever know whodunnit. I am interested in how crime affects people. I am interested in what crime fiction has to say socially, pyschologically. I think it can be more than a mere distraction, that at its best it can truly say something more interesting than, "crime is bad." So no, I'm not interested in "crime fiction" as its own end, but I'm interested in fictionally how crime can be used. I think there's a distinction.

Did I answer the question? I don't know. But at least I tried to tease out what it meant.

In all, it was a grand afternoon even if my prepared stuff ran a little short as I self-edited on the day (cutting out a whole swathe about Walter Mosley as social commentator that just kind of droned on) and luckily there were a few questions from the floor. The Sopranos and The Wire came up, of course. We pondered why America does "street level" crime far better than we've ever done (my own theory has something to do with the lawlessness of the old west which, when you think about it, wasn't that long ago in historical terms) and a myriad of other topics. True crime came up, and I admitted that aside from a few exceptions (David Simon's Homicide, Carol Anne Davis's rational explorations, Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and, of course, the magnificent Joseph Wambaugh) I never had much time for it, finding accounts to very often be sensationalised or unfulfilling in the way they approached the subject matter. We also talked about location as being intrinsic to crime fiction and how the tropes of the thriller genre just don't work in some locations no matter how hard an author might want them too.

And my fears have dissipated at least a little. I wasn't there as an academic, even though my fear was they'd treat me like one (expecting me to have the answers) but as someone whose approach to crime and crime fiction came from another angle.

So with many thanks to Aliki and the students at UoD (may you all graduate in style, and watch out for the wee gnome who smacks you atop the head with a rolled up sock at the graduation ceremony) for being so welcoming and accomadating. Even the girl who turned up late (I actually never noticed until she apologised at the end of the session) and, above all, for helping me overcome my fears at doing my first solo gig as an author*.

Next up, Dundee Literary Festival... but I'll let you know more about that one as it approaches!

Au revoir

Russel

*the launch doesn't exactly count - - that was a very on-my-side audience.

Lost in Translations

2009-03-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Call me late to the party, but it seems that of late all the best films are being produced outside of the US. Coming back from Edinburgh the other day with a bit of DVD haul, I realised that the only US thing I had was the final episodes of THE SOPRANOS (after my recent indulging of THE WIRE and the complete OZ I realised I'd never seen how my favourite mob family ended). Other hauls included a French comedy (OSS117 - Cairo, Nest of Spies), a Spanish horror movie (.[REC]) and the Del Toro produced movie, The Orphanage which has a hollywood connection with the man himself but is a spanish language movie.

OSS 117 is probably the second weakest French movie I've seen (just ahead of the empty but irectorially impressive District 13). However, it is still funnier than a number of US comedies I have seen of late*. The accidental musical number is brilliant and the sheer arrogance of our French agent is a joy. I suspect, of course, that like the excellent Brice de Nice, it loses a lot in the translation.

.[REC] is what Romero's appalling Diary of the Dead wishes it could have been and what JJ Abram's great fun Cloverfield just fell short of: A lovely unsettling build up followed by a harrowing last third and the fact that it's all done from a POV camera is extremely unnerving.

Anyway, I have to finish some redrafting for book #2, so I haven't yet seen The Orphanage. But this one appeals to me a great deal; I love a good old fashioned ghost story.

Au revoir
Russel

*Steve Carrell's appalling Get Smart is number one contender at the moment for most appalling comedy I've endured recently.

Never Say Never

2009-03-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

I refuse to use twitter

Famous last words?

Maybe. After a few discussions with folks over the last few days, I'm dipping my toe in the water. I'm still cynical. But for keeping up with news and doing brief updates, it might prove useful. We shall see.

Its a grand experiment and if you want to stalk... uh... follow me, I think the address www.twitter.com/russeldmclean

Of course, I'm sensing another timesuck. But since Bebo went the way of the Dodo and Facebook became nigh-on unuseable, I might as well give it a shot.

Au revoir

Russel

"You don't pull down London because its got a red light district"

2009-03-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

No comment, but here's Stephen Fry on the internet:

This is an early thing I said about the internet at the time things like AOL were still huge. I said it's Milton Keynes, that's the problem with it. It's got all these nice, safe cycle paths and child-friendly parks and all the rest of it.

But the internet is a city and, like any great city, it has monumental libraries and theatres and museums and places in which you can learn and pick up information and there are facilities for you that are astounding - specialised museums, not just general ones.

But there are also slums and there are red light districts and there are really sleazy areas where you wouldn't want your children wandering alone.

And you say, "But how do I know which shops are selling good gear in the city and how do I know which are bad? How do I know which streets are safe and how do I know which aren't?" Well you find out.

What you don't need is a huge authority or a series of identity cards and police escorts to take you round the city because you can't be trusted to do it yourself or for your children to do it.

And I think people must understand that about the internet - it is a new city, it's a virtual city and there will be parts of it of course that they dislike, but you don't pull down London because it's got a red light district.

Right on, Mr Fry. Right on. BBC technology's chat with Fry covers Twitter (which I refuse to take part in), the web vs books and all kinds of fun things.

Au revoir

Russel

"How could THEY cut the power? They're animals, man!"

2009-03-07T12:00:00.001-08:00

Mes Amis

Today in Glasgow for, after a sixteen year wait, ALIEN WARS. Yes, being a rather large fan of both ALIEN and ALIENS (and even liking moments of ALIEN 3) I was pretty damn excited to get down to this interactive "tour" of a crashed spaceship in Glasgow. Thank God for the Marines who were present, or I'd never have made it out alive once the Xenomorphs on board the ship escaped.

I think I would say the experience was fun, if a little short-lived and probably for those who know the movies and are prepared to buy in to the whole experience. Yes, I did scream like a (foul mouthed) little girl when I thought I saw something jump out from the wall near the start of the tour and gave a more than little scream when bumping into one of my fellow tour mates, and by the end I think some of our group's cynicism was gone and they were giving in to the experience. Being left to wait underneath a grating in the ceiling (and being the only person under said grate) was a little unnerving too for anyone who has seen the movies. All in all, I'd say some brilliant moments but just a little too short and a few more minutes would have really built up the intensity beautifully (just as I was digging it, it was all over). There was at least one very good trick in an elevator shaft and excellent moments with the lighting which, yes, did make me yelp. There were some elements I know were present sixteen years earlier that seem to have been removed from the experience that would just have added some more depth to the whole thing, but for a quick scare and a good laugh it was all very well done. If only there was some way to cut down the abominable waiting times - - maybe a wee bit more decoration, music, video and so forth to put you in the mood before you actually head underground?

Anyway, I'm glad I did it in the end, just to say I experienced it and, you know, I wouldn't say no if I was back there again especially if they do make it just a little bit different for every party who goes into the alien spaceship underneath Glasgow's arches.

Au revoir

Cover Stories

2009-03-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Since I've been given permission to post it, here's the cover for Thomas Dunne/St Martin's edition of THE GOOD SON that will be hitting America's shores later this year:

Nice, eh?

Au revoir

Russel

Those without whom

2009-03-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

One of the interesting things about not just being a published writer, but working in a bookstore, os that often you are in very direct contact with readers. Sometimes they know it, but most times they don't. Even when you are standing in front of an embarrasingly big display card with your picture and lots and lots of lovely review quotes written in mile high letters.

Occasionally this can be humbling, but luckily - a few grumbles about swear words aside - people seem to talk very positively about the book. Today I had two rather wonderful encounters. For one of these I was on the phone while my colleague sold one of my books to a customer. She said, "Oh, the author works here, would you like him to sign it?"

The customer seemed enthusiastic and said, "I never knew this one existed. But I was sitting beside someone on the plane coming up from London today and they told me that I had to seek out this one and buy it!" Gratifying for sure to know that people are telling random strangers they meet on planes to buy this book.

Another was a very sweet girl who was buying a selection of other books and seemed on the verge of asking me another question but couldn't quite until she blurted out, "See the book that was over there? Did you write it?" This kind of question can be a minefield, but I said, yes, and thank God she told me in very nice terms how much she enjoyed the book. With genuine enthusiasm. And seeing the novels she was buying, I was in very nice company, too.

Here's my point: I love nice reviews, and I enjoy hearing what other authors think of the novel. But more, what really gets me going, is meeting the book-buying public and hearing them talk about the book. Knowing that someone who has no idea who the hell I am and no pre-concieved ideas about what kind of thing I would write has picked up the book, read it and got a kick out of it. So I'd like to thank all the readers out there. You guys are the reason any of us do this. Its not to impress our peers or to live out some fantasy artist's life, but its to connect with readers and entertain them. Without readers, there would be no need for writers.

So thank you. To all of you who have bought the book. Who have read it. Who have got something out of it. And for those of you who I hope will buy, read it and hopefully get something out of it!

Au revoir

Russel

The Horrible Truth

2009-03-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Its funny how people think of writers. All those press reports of how much JK Rowling or Stephen King earn really seem to set folks' imaginations flying. But the sad fact of the matter is that meeting a real writer can be a tremendously upsetting moment. Witness a friend of mine talking to a ten year old recently:

Kid (pointing out THE GOOD SON): "My dad says you know the guy who wrote this book!"

Friend: "Yes, yes I do."

Kid: "Wow, that must be so exciting!"

Friend: "I suppose so."

Kid: "Is he rich?"

Friend (thinking about all the drink I owe them): "Um..."

Kid: "Does he live in a mansion?"

Friend: "No."

Kid: "A big house?"

Friend: "No. He lives in a flat."

Kid: "Bigger than ours?"

Friend (thinking, well don't admit he rents): No."

Kid (crestfallen): "Oh. Well... is he tall?"

Friend: "No."

Kid: "I bet he does loads of interesting things every day."

Friend: (mumbles something because they can't admit that your writing hero spends his day in retail before going home and sitting around in a tatty dressing down swearing at a computer screen)

Kid: "What does he look like?"

Friend: (shows kid a picture of your author doing something very silly as its the only pic they have on their phone)

Kid: "Oh."

Friend: "Were you expecting him to look like James Bond?"

Kid: "Yes."

Friend: (tries not to laugh uproariously).

The thing is, this makes me laugh for a lot of reasons. Not least because recently a lot of people have been very confused by the disconnect between the characters I write about and me as a person. I'm a fairly mild mannered unreconstructed, beardy geek with a strange sense of humour. I'm not a hard man. Or an investigator. I don't know if I'd want to be any of these things.

But that ten year old has my number: I do want to be a very rich, very handsome and very tall man who does twenty exciting things before breakfast.

But for now, I'll settle for drinking two cups of coffee.

Au revoir

Russel

The Horrible Truth

2009-03-03T12:20:00.001-08:00

"She's been married so many times she's got rice marks all over her face..."

2009-02-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Yes, this saturday, I'll be sleeping till the crack of noon, spend midnight howling at the moon and I'll be going out when I wanna and coming home when I please.

Aye, its bloody Valentines, isn't it... but I'm better of without a wife.

Was this just an excuse to post a Tom Waits vid? Probably.

Au revoir

Russel

"Across the rainbow bridge of Asgard..."

2009-02-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Only in Edinburgh could a man scare off a burglar by coming home on New Year's Eve dressed as The Mighty Thor.

Check out the full story here at The Scotsman.

And yes, I am still trying to keep a low profile and get my writing on, but when you hear about a story like this... you kind of have to share it with the world.

I wonder if the burglar heard the following, terrifying theme playing in his head as he jumped out of the window to escape the wrath of Thor and his mighty hammer, Mjolnir...

Au revoir

Russel

Dundee Philosophers and Sons of Spade...

2009-02-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Briefly coming up for air beneath the incredibly tight revision schedule that means I look as though I've become a shut-in to point you in the direction of

a) The extremely erudite and clearly well-read Patrick Shawn Bagely, author of some damn fine short fiction, who not only seemed to enjoy THE GOOD SON, but also went to the trouble of posting some Deep Thoughts from Tough Guys on his blog, to-wit, David Burns's assertion that our allegedly white knight PI protagonist might have some less than pure motivations...

and

b) The wonderful Jochem Van Der Steen's Q&A with yours truly over on Sons of Spade.

Back to the paper-pile!

Au revoir

Russel

Donald Duck: Legal Eagle... well, duck.

2009-01-30T15:21:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

I love the idea that because a cartoonist came up with the idea for a quickie gag in a cartoon short, a scientist couldn't gain patent on an idea... it kind of sums up the weirdness of the world.

Au revoir

Russel

Off on the road to St Andrews

2009-01-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Yes, the other day I was in sunny St Andrews for a brief stock signing at the local Waterstones - - its nice to get to pastures new every once in a while and while St Andrews no longer seems to have a music shop, it does have some grand second hand shops including one where I picked up some old Perry Mason novels and the how-can-I-resist Four Square Edition of Tarzan and the Ant Men, wherein our hero is taken prisoner by a tribe of people who are a mere eighteen inches high!

Anyway, it was a bizarre experience being the author sitting at the front of the store, but shout outs must go to Julie and the team for making me feel welcome indeed. And to the people who took the time out to have a chat with the author and even buy the book!

Reactions are interesting so far. Being on the front lines means you often get people's unvarnished opinions as "why would an author work in a bookshop?" Because, of course, we're all richer than God.

Anyway, people have been very very kind about the book with the only complaints so far coming from those who believe "bad language has no place in literature." Or that crime fiction should only be "like Agatha Christie". Fair enough. Its not that kind of book, and it assumes that the reader accepts that people don't always speak properly or use language in the "proper sense". As Billy Connolly says, swearing is a language all of its own. There is no English equivalent for "fuck off".

And I'm hardly in the same league as, let's say, Irvine Welsh.

Anyway, I'm not going to get in a rant about swearing. Mark Billingham does this beautifully enough in his intro to Jen Jordan's brilliant collection* EXPLETIVE DELETED.

But I'm happy with the reaction to the book so far, and I'd just like to thank all those people who have taken the time to write to me or the publishers, or even track down where I work to talk to me about the novel. Seriously, folks, its appreciated.

Au revoir

Russel

*Yes, I'm in it, so yes, this is a plug, but seriously, my one aside, there are some excellent stories in this one fingered salute to short crime fiction, and the sequel, UNCAGED, is probably going to be even better.

"You bloody fool... you should never mix your drinks!"

2009-01-25T16:08:00.001-08:00

Mes Amis

Withnail and I changed my life. Seriously. I was taken to see it when I was seventeen by my dad, who said, "You're going to uni: this will be your life from now on."

Knowing that he reads this blog, I can't say with any honesty how accurate he was.

But Withnail and I remains one of my favourite movies,* and so it was with intgrigue that I saw the Cottage where Withnail and "I" end up staying is currently up for sale.

Intriguingly, the pub where they wind up going is referred to on screen as the crow and crown but is referred to in my edition of the script The Crow and C**t.**

Of course, the following clip has nothing to do with that, but is one of my favourite moments from the film (followed closely by Withnails "imagine getting into a fight with the fucker" and the lads' attempts to sober up at a respectable cafe after getting arseholed on the money Uncle Monty gives them for wellys).

Au revoir

Russel

*I actually own a coat very similar to Withnails
**starred out for the more sensitive readers, who can stay with me up to "fuck" but pass out beyond

Do Androids Dream...?

2009-01-22T12:20:00.001-08:00

Mes Amis

Having recently re-read a couple of Philip K Dick novels, I was thinking about the Android version of PKD they made a few years back... something you'd imagine might be something of a nightmare for the author himself considering how his novels dealt with replicants and simulacra on many occasions.

Anyway, thinking about it led to some googling and led to this footage of the prototype android in action. All things considered, even if it gets many things wrong, its an amazing achievement.

Au revoir

Russel

"I reckon you only realise the difference when you get there"

2009-01-07T14:37:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Yes, I know something went weird in the formatting of the last post - what ya get for cutting and pasting out of word.

Anyway, in other news, the delightful Declan Burke has got out the rubber hose and threatened me with it over at Crime Always Pays, which is one of the best blogs on both Irish and non Irish fiction going.

So what are you waiting for? Go check the rapid fire Q&A with the impossibly handsome scot right now!

Au revoir

Russel

The Randomiser Presents...

2009-01-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Sandra Ruttan tagged me, so it gives me an excuse to make a long winded post with:

16 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT YOUR DISTINGUISHED HOST

1) My old passport photo – taken when I was about 17 – unfortunately makes me look more than a little like Four Weddings era Hugh Grant. In fact when I was that age I had the hair, the glasses and the nervous stutter… it wasn’t a good time.

2) I have a fairly irrational dislike of clowns. Yet I once dated a girl whose place was filled with them (I mean like pictures and models; not real life clowns, that would have been too much).

3) When I was younger, a friend tried to teach me to play golf and wound up breaking my nose by swinging a golf club into it (he told me to “look closely” so I did with no idea he was actually going to swing the damn thing).

4) I reset my nose again aged twenty-one when I tried sneaking out of a girlfriend’s flat to get to an early lecture and managed to fall face first into her stand-up vacuum cleaner.

5) I played the Cowardly Lion in a stage production of The Wizard of Oz and got my roar up to around a minute without taking a breath. Yeah, I had talent when I was younger; who knew?

6) My mother believes that I deliberately made the actors in a production of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting single her out in the audience as “a tearoom hag” followed up with the immortal line, “I’d rather put it between a couple of B&Q sanding blocks, doll”. This is not true. I was watching from the stage crew gallery and cringing when I realised who they were pointing at.

7) I spent much of Madison Bouchercon entertaining Jim Winter with the “You’re a shite… for shore eyesh…” Sean Connery joke. The best bit is I probably sound nothing like Shir Shean.

8) I was stopped and searched by the police aged 16 when one of my friends was spotted on CCTV taking me hostage in the street with a cigarette lighter shaped like a gun. The police cars rolled up and searched all of us. I was, of course, bursting to get to the nearest toilet while all this was happening and they wouldn’t let me go. Luckily it didn’t get any more embarrassing and when the misunderstanding was cleared I dashed fast into the nearest McDonalds.

9) Once on a date, I was pulled over by the police for blinding other cars with my fog lights. I’d hit the wrong button, meaning to turn the heating on in the car because my date was cold. It was all rather embarrassing. Surprisingly, she did actually agree to go out with me again.

10) One of my ancestors (well, I think he was a great, great, great uncle; something like that) went to Hollywood to act and play golf. He wrote a book about how to be an actor and I’m incredibly proud that Mr Hugh McDermott he was in a B-Movie called Devil Girls From Mars.

11) I fooled my friend (now with a doctorate in History) into believing that the deposed head of the Russian Duma (parliament) ran off to Hollywood and wrote the screenplay to Gone With The Wind. My friend almost put this in his sixth year studies History dissertation.

12) Like James Oswald, I am allergic to mushrooms. Generally they make me do an impression of Linda Blair in The Exorcist.

13) This has passed into mostly public knowledge, but yes, I did manage to puke on two people within about an hour of arriving at my first Bouchercon. One of them was Sean Chercover, and no one’s entirely sure who the second one was. I still maintain it was the mushrooms I ate on the plane.

14) The first time I attended the Harrogate International Crime Festival, I had to stay on a caravan site some twenty minutes out of the city.

15) At Left Coast Crime in Bristol, ’06, I wound up wearing a shirt that was pretty much the same fabric as the sofas in the hotel lobby so that for much of the con – and this according to Kevin Wignall – I appeared to people as a floating head.

16) A friend’s wife, upon seeing me for the first time, believed that I was a vehement Big Issue Salesman who had cornered her husband. I should have taken this as a hint to smarten up my appearance. But I’m too lazy for that.

I’m supposed to tag 16 people, but Sandra pretty much tagged the 16 I would have and besides, I’m sure some people have actual work to do!

Au revoir

Russel

"...it does mean I no longer have a social life..."

2008-12-26T12:38:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

Here's hoping you had a wonderful Christmas. I know I did; back home in the middle of nowhere, stuffing myself on dead bird and roast potato between the chocolate binges and the rather nice wines that kept refilling whenever me dad passed by.

Anyway, while all of those was happening, I forgot to update you all on a new Interview what I done with the incisive David Lewis that appeared over at Allan Guthrie's Noir Originals. While you're there, delve into the Guthrie's treasure trove of noir goodness that he maintains there. The site's been given a facelift recently and looks absolutely brilliant.

Anyway, back to the remains of the Christmas food and maybe some rest as well.

Au revoir

Russel

"an ex-cop with demons in his past, enemies in the police and clients whom he can't trust."

2008-12-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

The discerning Mat Coward casts his critical eye over The Good Son at The Morning Star.

Want to know what he has to say? Then check it out here along with novels by PJ Brooke and Brian Freeman.

Au revoir

Russel

"Oh, this is like a school essay isn't it? This is the script?"

2008-11-23T10:37:00.001-08:00

Mes Amis

Its not wonder I grew up as strange as I did. Back on 1980's saturday morning kids telly, Gaz Top was telling the 7 year old me to go out and read Alan Moore's comics, very specifically Watchmen and Swamp Thing...

Although he does admit Swamp Thing is "a bit gory, per'aps..."

Au revoir

Russel

"...I'll exploit anything if it gets a response."

2008-11-19T06:43:00.001-08:00

Mes Amis

Head on over to Pulp Pusher where the tough-as-nails Damien Seaman grills me on why I won't vote SNP, why I appear to have a problem with cockney accents (and worse, perverted hybrid ones*), the re-imagining of the PI genre and why I exploit any old cliche when the plot stops moving.

Au revoir

Russel

Launch Date

2008-11-19T04:18:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

For those who couldn't be there, here are a few snaps (the photographer apologises for the blurriness; too much wine, apparently - - although yer actual author only got one half plastic-tumbler of the stuff) of the launch of THE GOOD SON at Waterstones in Dundee. Let me start by saying I expected only half the crowd that turned up, so thank you so much to everyone who
was there.

In picture number one, we can see Al Guthrie - award winning author, Agent supreme - giving his wondrous introduction - - and getting so worked up that his face turned into a strange, melty blur.

In Picture number two, we see that I managed to follow on from Guthrie's intro by standing up and shaking my hand in mid air so vigorously that I rearranged all the atoms in the room and created some new guests out of thin air.

After this, the crowds swamped yer actual author boy to tell him precisely what they thought of that all the naughty language that he used in his reading.

Yer true fact: someone asked me to write down swear words in lieu of an actual dedication.

In this picture, we see me being asked to score out all the swear words for delicate readers.

This took up much of the night and gave me writer's cramp.

Finally, we see the effect that signing so many books has on poor wee author boy. He just snaps and stays sitting like that in the shop until his next shift begins in the morning and once more he is transformed into bookseller lad.

Seriously, it was a great night and a tremendous success. My thanks to everyone who showed up, to Kerry Shearer for taking the photos and to Agent Al, Ross Bradshaw and Gordon Dow for helping get this launch off the ground. By all accounts it was a success and a fun time was had by all. Even author boy.

Au revoir

Russel

"a willingness to confront societal violence..."

2008-11-11T04:19:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

The wonderful Carol Anne Davis (author of some of the best true crime books going as well as excellent psycho-noir novels) has just reveied THE GOOD SON over at Tangled Web. Now, I can't work out how to link direct to the review, but dig around the reviews, you'll find it.

Or check this excerpt here:

With its appreciation of life’s small pleasures, combined with a willingness to confront societal violence, The Good Son reminded me of early Martyn Waites novels. Evocatively describing the Dundee landscape, it’s a highly readable piece of noir.

I love Martyn's early (and later!) novels - - so this is a big compliment to me. And its nice to know people are enjoying the book.

Au revoir

Russel

2008-11-11T01:44:00.000-08:00

Mes Amis

You only get to launch your debut novel once every so often.

Or words to that effect.

With enormous - huge, gigantic - thanks to everyone who turned up to the launch last night and drunk us out of The Good Son Special Reserve. We were expecting a crowd half the size, but it was wonderful to see so many of you! Special thanks must go to those who travelled from England to watch a beardy Scotsman blabber on for half an hour! With apologies, too, to those who had questions. Although as one tired bookseller put it, "with questions, we'd have been there till opening tomorrow!". So also a big thank you to all my colleagues who were on duty last night.

It was a fantastic evening. From the surprise of seeing wine labelled with my book cover to the joy of Allan Guthrie's speech (revealing to the world how I got John Connolly's blurb by trying to stab him with a fork in Madison) to the sheer wonderment of having a queue of people wanting the book signed, I had a blast.

Although I must apologise to one or two people whom I know and then promptly forgot their names when it came to signing the books. What can I say, I was very confused and hyper by that point.

I believe there will be pictures soon from various sources, but in the meantime enjoy me grinning like a psychopath in this article from The Courier.

Au revoir

Russel

I'd like to thank the academy...

2008-11-09T13:00:00.001-08:00

Mes Amis

Tomorrow (Monday 10th November) is the official launch of THE GOOD SON at Waterstones, 35 Commercial Street Dundee at 7:30pm. Its a free event, so if you haven't already decided to come please do.

Me, I'm currently getting my groove on for a bit of reading, a bit of chat and then after that a bit of wobbly signing as I down thirty glasses of wine to calm my nerves.

Au revoir

Russel

For Mme L

2008-11-05T08:28:00.001-08:00

Mes Amis

I am not indulging my ego, but I need to post some pics of myself here for nefarious purposes (and for a journalist having trouble with attachments). Doesn't the talented Kerry Shearer take wonderful pictures?

Au revoir

Russel

Location, location, location

2008-10-26T15:13:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Its strange to read THE GOOD SON again, to see it as a finished product. I've been searching for segments to perform for the first public reading of the work, and while there are moments I'm proud of and other moments I'm not, what strikes me most is how I look at the city of Dundee.

The way it changes.

Those parts ofthe city I include in the book which reflect reality tend to be those that have some kind of meaning for me. Places that truly exist are places I know, places that struck me in some fashion. And to read about them fictionally makes me realise how rapidly the city is changing.

Since publishing the book, I have to admit I realise that it is time we said RIP to:

Mickey Coyles: one of the most relaxed pubs, with some of the best steak pies in the city (the lease is currently up for sale and the doors are shut)

The old Washington Cafe: described in the book as, "small, with green vinyl-covered pews and plastic tables. It shouldn't have survived past 1950 and as such was homely and welcoming. Like a time capsule. It was comforting to think that among all the changes that had occurred in the city centre, some places just kept on going." Now, of course, the cafe has undergone a facelift. For two years I lived across from the Washington and loved the vinyl pews and the booths and the old atmosphere. Now its been redone with rounded tables and chairs and just... its not the same to me.

The car park across from the PI, J. McNee's offices on Courthouse Square has become student accomodation.

And all of these changes in the space of a few months. Its one of the reasons I wanted to write about Dundee; this is a city in constant flux. With the incoming of new money from medical research and, of course, the computing industry, certain aspects of life here are changing. Mostly for the better, I think. The centre is changing. The riverfront is undergoing a facelift.

But its a pisser if you're trying to write a novel that captures the city in a moment. Not that I care, because change and growth make for good fiction. And if the city is changing along with the characters in the novel... well, that's got to be a good thing.

Au revoir

Russel

Newfangled technical wizardry and old fangled cursed masks

2008-10-25T18:19:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Although not quite complete, russeldmclean.com is open for public viewing. With some tweaks and additions to take place over the coming months (including moving this blog across), the site should become fairly comprehensive. At the moment, what we have is some info on the book (ie the price, is the isbn, the back cover blurb), those lovely quotes and a slightly sarcastic bio. Any comments, ideas, suggestions, abuse, can be directed to me at crimescenescotland_at_yahoo.co.uk for now. With thanks to Mike Parry for his technical wizardry.

And it is true, I do live with a cursed mask. Its been in the place for three previous owners and no one has yet removed it from the wall. I've read enough King novels to know not to try.

Au revoir

Russel

They live!

2008-10-17T15:44:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Yes, yes, yes... shot in crappy camera-phone-a-vision on my friend Tim's phone, but they're here... I have actual live and real copies of THE GOOD SON in my house...

Check it in the box:

And spread out on the floor:

I have, of course, spent the day flipping through copies without actually reading a damn word. In fact, I'm frightened to read any portion of it.

You, my friends, should not be so frightened. In fact you should head immediately to your local book emporium and order it. November the 1st, my people, the day of reckoning...

Until next time...

Au revoir

Russel

"...that's the kind of revelation that knocks you flat on your ass"

2008-10-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Inspired - at least in part - by a conversation and misunderstanding at this year's Harrogate Crime Festival, the noir short, MADAME SIN'S GIRL has found its way onto the Pulp Pusher website. Pulp Pusher is the premiere Scottish-based noir fiction website these days, and The Pusher and his crew are doing a bang up job over there of keeping the noir flame alive.

Go, check it out.

And then devour their other beautifully dark and twisted offerings.

Tell The Pusher that McLean sent ya.

Au revoir

Russel

For the record

2008-10-15T10:56:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

This is me:

And this is Loren Estelman*:

Not so easy to confuse, right? And if you do, remember that one of us smells of haggis. I'll not say which one, I'm sure you can work it out.

Au revoir

Russel

*At least... I THINK that's that right way round...

Its oh so nice to go travellin'...

2008-10-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Finally, I am back on Scottish soil. And utterly exhuasted.

Highlights of the US visit, '08 include:

Meeting Generalissimo Stella (now a Laird) and Anne Marie - - two more incredible people you couldn't hope to meet.

Having Otto Penzler mistake me (somehow) for Loren D Estleman.

Being attacked by 1) a comic book thrown in my direction by Jon Jordan and 2) Duty Free cigarettes and a handbag falling from the overhead luggage compartments.

Seeing Pat Lambe get blasted on the best Whisky he ever tasted.

Discovering (with thanks to MacBride) the deep fried Pickles from Hooters.

Meeting my US editor face to face.

Speaking of my US publishers, they operate out of the Daily Bugle Building - - how cool is that?

Three brilliantly fun panels with sparkling and witty co-panellists.

Meeting Sean Chercover shortly after BIG CITY, BAD BLOOD won its award! This guy is a writer who deserves success.

Making the world's most expensive U-Turn on the way to pick up Angie "In For Questioning" Johnson-Schmit at the airport.

Walking Baltimore's Inner Harbour at night and seeing the famous Domino's Sugars sign.

Lowlights were few and far between and mostly included waving at people I'd love to have had longer conversations with.

Anyway, I'm far too tired to even make coherent sense so I shall say

goodnight

and

Au revoir

Russel

The fly is dead, long live the fly!

2008-09-24T02:21:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

A week or so ago, you might remember* I had a small problem. With a fly.

A bastard fly.

A bastard fly buzzing around and landing on my eyeball whilst I was trying to work on a rather important project.

Well, it seems that someone has taken revenge on the fly community for me. Cheers to Brian Lindenmuth for informing me of the solidarity between crime and horror writers, towit:

"There's been a fly annoying the hell out of me at the computer for the past two days. Finally, he rested right on my keyboard, so I hit him with the swatter. Somehow, this only pushed it underneath the keys! Now, it's buzzing like crazy and one push will kill it. The funny thing is, it's right under the "Delete" and "End" keys."

That'll show 'im.

My own fly problems have diminished since then. Maybe the fly community took this as a warning. I certainly hope so. Those flies don't watch it, they'll have the whole genre writing community after them. Armed not just with swatters and spray, but keyboards, too.

Au revoir

Russel

*unless you've never been to the blog before in which case you might just want to go back into the archives here and catch up with the exploits of our hero.**
**Again, if you've never been the blog before, you'll want to know I do occasionally use footnotes.***
***And sometimes footnotes within footnotes.****
****But this is only to annoy a very talented PI writer called Dave White who hates footnotes but still comes to this blog on occasion anyway.*****
*****And if I suspect he might, I try to put in as many pointless footnotes as I can. If you want to know more about Dave, go here

More Me (international edition)

2008-09-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Ripped from Publisher's Marketplace:

Russel McLean's THE GOOD SON and LOST SISTER, the first two novels in a Scottish-set crime series in the vein of Ted Lewis's GET CARTER, to John Schoenfelder at Thomas Dunne Books, in a nice deal, by Allan Guthrie of Jenny Brown Associates (NA).

I am absolutely ecstatic about this news. Even more so about the GET CARTER* comparison, which just tickles me no end.

In a noirish way, of course.

Au revoir

Russel

*Technically speaking, I think the title is JACK'S RETURN HOME, but let's not split hairs here.

Reasons to hate outlining...

2008-09-14T10:44:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

I might explain why later, but I am in the stages of currently outlining something. Its a fairly substantial project and it needs to be in fast. Of course, right now I am taking a back and following the advice of the wee cartoon in the post below - - organising my thoughts before I get my stuff done. Later I might do the dishes, cook dinner etc...

Anyway, truly I hate outlines - find they suck all of the life out of something. I occasionaly write plot guides that say, "move from this scene to that scene to that scene" but have no hints at motivation or connection. This allows me to improvise in writing, find creative paths to connect stuff.

But anyway, the point is... I need to do this. So its time to suck it up and do the outline. And ensure it makes sense to... other people.

And to top it all, there's a huge, bloated fly buzzing round the flat. Who likes trying to land on my eyeball.

Bastard.

Au revoir

Russel

I knew I had to post something on my blog before I could get my stuff done...

2008-09-14T02:12:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

'Nuff said:

Au revoir

Russel

What I hate about writing outlines...

2008-09-12T01:42:00.001-07:00

Mes Amis

Writing an outline for a novel or a story is tough going. Story beats aren't so bad, but when the novel relies on emotion for its affect, its tough to communicate that in a synopsis.

However, I shall persevere.

In the meantime, check out this article on French fiction and UK audiences' reaction to works in translation...

Fiction in translation is not an easy sell to us Brits, and French fiction is perhaps the hardest sell of all.

Au revoir

Russel

A Year on the Killing Streets and some blatant promotion (both quite unconnected)

2008-09-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Have I ever told you how much I love THE WIRE?

No? how about HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE KILLING STREETS?

No? Then let me tell you this... much as I loved the Televised version, the original HOMICIDE: A YEAR ON THE KILLING STREETS is one of the best damn books I've read in years. I'll try and get a review on the next CSS update but... damn... it is just mindblowing. One of the very few truly brilliant true crime books I've ever read. Makes me think of Wambaugh, but gets even deeper than that into the world of the homicide detective. Just... stunning.

Yes, that update will be coming soon. With - get this - a guest review, too (Yeah, we like guest reviews - send 'em to us if you got 'em and long as we ain't covered the book, we'll think about posting 'em).

In other updates:

add the truly masterful Tony Black
and
the disturbing genius that is Martyn Waites

to my list of blurbers (check out the side quotes).

Seriously, I ain't paying these people. Believe me, I couldn't even if I wanted to.

And its back to the batcave... the second novel is still giving me gyp...

Au revoir

Russel

Panel Beating

2008-08-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

Mes Amis

Bouchercon, '08

You don't want to miss it.

You want reasons? Yeah, well check out the panel listings right here and you'll see plenty of reasons to attend.

In fact, here's two right here. Why are these ones important? Well, they do feature your badgeresque hero in all his glory. But even more importantly, check the people he's sitting alongside:

Thursday 8:30am - 9:30am: THE DOT GETS THE COM (Prince) e-zines-the new anthologies Sean Doolittle(M), J. T. Ellison, Adam McFarlane, Russel McLean, Bryon Quertermous, Stephen D. Rogers

And

Friday 4:30pm -5:30pm: A SINGER MUST DIE (Leonard Cohen) Books that have a lasting impact. Jennifer Jordan(M), John Connolly, Christa Faust, Russel McLean, Nathan Singer, Martyn Waites

And yeah, you saw that right, all panels are named after singers and their songs. Which is a very, very cool idea.

Au revoir

Russel