Finland, Germany, Spain and the U.S.A are just some of the countries that are lending us their best, brightest and most exciting crime writers – for one exciting weekend in September, Stirling will be their home from home. And crime writing fans will be flocking to find out the story behind their fantastic writing.
And they’ll leave with a stack of new authors to enjoy, or a signed copy to evangelically recommend to friends. Any passionate reader knows that feeling. It’s a great feeling.
Parker Bilal is one of the most interesting writers we’re having the pleasure of welcoming this year. Not only is he writing under a pseudonym (he is Jamal Mahjoub, a literary fiction author of many novels), but his crime novels explore the complex political and social situations faced by modern day Egypt, which is of interest to anyone who has watched recent events unfold in Cairo.
“Makana’s sharp and sometimes melancholy observations bring both Cairo and Siwa to life, and Bilal handles grotesque crimes delicately, favoring characterization and culture over blood and gore. This third Makana installment is a literary gem and a good match with Zoe Ferraris novels and Shashi Tharoor’s Riot.” – Review, The Ghost Runner, Booklist
Kati Hiekkapelto is one of Finland’s most promising new writing talents and we’re privileged to be welcoming her to Bloody Scotland to talk about her amazing novel The Hummingbird, which explores issues of immigrants, nationality, identity and place as her female detective protagonist experiences the darker side of prejudice. Kati is able to join us thanks to the support of FILI (Finnish Literature Exchange) and she will be in discussion with Scotland’s own Craig Robertson and Malcom MacKay.
‘If you’re a fan of Swedish crime queen Camilla Läckberg, you’ll love Hiekkapelto’ Review, The Hummingbird, Kaleva (Finnish newspaper)
Nele Neuhaus is a wonderful German crime writer whose compulsive and unputdownable novels have already won her legions of ravenous readers in her native language of German – and now with the translation of her tense thriller, Snow White Must Die anglophone readers are now able to enjoy her books for the first time.
‘Neuhaus is HUGE in Germany: her novels are eagerly awaited by a loyal readership eager to lap up her latest tale. There is almost something of a Sherlock Holmes story about this one.’ Review, Snow White Must Die, Richard Madeley, Richard and Judy Book Club
Megan Abbott is one of the most lauded authors of her generation – hailing from the USA, she’s appearing with Scotland’s own treasure, Louise Welsh, to discuss epidemics and illness in crime fiction – a strong theme in both of their latest offerings.
‘Megan Abbott is, in my opinion, the best writer of contemporary thrillers working today. …this seventh novel is more expansive, more thoughtful, more ambitious and psychologically deeper than anything she’s written before, and that’s saying something.’ Review, The Fever, The Independent
Discover these fantastic authors and more at Bloody Scotland.
Ticket offer: Buy tickets for Parker Bilal, 2 for the price of 1, using the code JAMAL1 at the checkout. Offer runs until 31st July.
Nele Neuhaus and Danielle Ramsay // 11.45AM–12.45PM // MCLAREN SUITE, STIRLING HIGHLAND HOTEL
Louise Welsh and Megan Abbott – You Give Me Fever // 2.30–3.30PM // ALBERT HALLS
Parker Bilal // 5.30–6.30PM // ACADEMY SUITE, STIRLING HIGHLAND HOTEL