#Review of Bloody Scotland Panel – Mark Billingham with Richard Osman @BloodyScotland @VikingBooks @richardosman #RichardOsman #MarkBillingham #BloodyScotland

Richard Osman and Mark Billingham is a must on anyone’s review list, I think and so are their books. They both give a highly entertaining, fascinating, warm and friendly talk. Mark Billingham asked excellent questions, which Richard Osman had interesting answers to. The banter between them was fun. I could easily listen to them for longer than the allocated hour. The first time I saw these authors was just before the Thursday Murder Club was published. It was a real treat to see them return to Bloody Scotland.

We Chase Shadows, the second in The We Solve Murders series is a compelling, fascinating 5 star read.

Richard Osman is smart and has thought about longevity in his writing career. Being influenced by his first ever crime fiction read – The Famous Five by Enid Blyton and later, Agatha Christie, he set out to plan The Thursday Murder Club series. He also always wanted a detective agency, so started his new series, We Solve Murders and has just published the second, We Chase Shadows. He plans to write both series alternate years. The calibre of his writing, has landed him spectacularly the top spot in authorship. He is the bestselling author of the decade! It’s a great, well-deserved achievement.

He talked about We Chase Shadows and how it’s always about the character. You have Steve who likes his cat, the pub and living the quiet life in the Newforest. He also doesn’t know how to dress for the heat, so Osman takes him to hot destinations with funny results. There’s Amy, who’s a bodyguard and more the globetrotter. Interestingly, he talked about being inspired by a Jackie Collins documentary with the lifestyle and destinations. It is, however about humans and he certainly keeps it grounded.

The series does, as you’d expect, have a different voice to The Thursday Murder Club and differences in the way they interact. Both series are excellent reads.

Richard Osman is astute, observant. He talked about how there are influences around families and culture and X and Y are against each other and how that is divisive. He doesn’t see it like that. He talked about the world we actually live in, where there are communities coming together and where friends can disagree and yet love each other anyway. I felt this was particularly important for people to hear from him and it carried so much warmth.

Rather thought-provokingly, he also talked about the male relationships in his book and how they care about each other, but it’s never said, it’s always something else, such as directions and this is something you see between Steve and Tony. It’s also about what you reveal and what you keep back and that’s interesting when it comes to writing too, so can’t wait to see what he has next in store for readers.

On his characters, he talked about getting to know them organically, like friends, some you know instantly and others, it’s in stages and some characters even come as a surprise to him.

He likes to add interesting characters and twists and turns and lots happening into his short, perfectly formed chapters.

With great insight, he mentioned social media and talked about how many followers you have does not matter. If folk don’t want to buy your book, they won’t and if they do, they do. It’s about the quality of the writing. There are some authors who have loads of followers, but not many book sales and some not even on social media and have lots of book sales.

He has other sound advice not to write for the market, but to write what you want to write about, what interests you and the market may catch up.

He mentioned his TV work and the 100 episodes a year of House of Games and how he didn’t want the team to break and that they are happy his replacement is Michael Sheen.
He also talked about doing less tv and writing more.

He’s doing things differently from The Thursday Murder Club film for We Solve Murders. It’s going to be a series on Netflix, but this time he will be a bit more involved.

We Chase Shadows is available in bookshops and libraries now.

Excitingly, the next The Thursday Murder Club will be published around Sept 2027.

BLOODY SCOTLAND REVEALS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THE SAME AUTHOR HAS WON THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE AND THE McILVANNEY PRIZE

BLOODY SCOTLAND REVEALS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THE SAME AUTHOR HAS WON THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE AND THE McILVANNEY PRIZE

sponsored by the Glencairn Glass

It has been a year of firsts. The first year Bloody Scotland had an all-woman shortlist for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. The first year four of those women made it onto the longlist for the McIlvanney Prize and now – for the first time ever – the same author has won both The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and the McIlvanney Prize. Congratulations to Frances Crawford whose novel A Bad, Bad Place (Transworld) has swept the boards at Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival this year, only two months after picking up the McDermid debut prize at Harrogate.Guest programmer, Denise Mina, has long been vocal about the lack of women in the prize landscape and is thrilled by the result. She said:‘Frances Crawford’s ‘A Bad Bad Place’ is a novel of profound depth and scope. Insightful, harrowing and very funny, it deals with the reality of violent crime and its impact on many victims. This is a spectacular debut from a wonderful new voice. She is the very first double winner and it could not be more deserved.’Bloody Scotland co-founder, author and chair of the Debut Prize judges, Alex Gray, said:‘A Bad, Bad Place captured my heart from the first mention of Janey’s dog, Sid Vicious. From then on the Glasgow patter and the different characters wound around me like a familiar … though not so comfy… blanket. Beautifully written, thoughtfully perceived from a child’s perspective, this is one novel that will remain with me for a long time to come.’McIlvanney Prize judge, author and broadcaster, Sally Magnusson, said:

‘This is a novel full of Glasgow wit and deep humanity. Unpacking a harrowing crime through the impressions of a grandmother and a child is gloriously original. The world we encounter through their eyes is scary, unfair, misogynistic, tragic – and wonderfully funny. The cost of murder is movingly evoked in a way that stays with you long after the book is closed.’Kirsty Nicholson, Marketing Director at Glencairn – sponsors of The Bloody Scotland Debut and McIlvanney Prizes with The Glencairn Glass, the official glass for whisky, said:‘This has been a truly remarkable year of firsts for Bloody Scotland and we are delighted to celebrate Frances Crawford’s extraordinary achievement. Winning both the Debut and McIlvanney Prizes is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to her exceptional storytelling talent. It is particularly wonderful to see Frances’ journey come full circle, having won our Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition in 2023. A huge congratulations on this well-deserved success – we cannot wait to see what comes next!’The presentation of both prizes took place in the Church of the Holy Rude on Friday 18 September before a grand procession led by guest programmer Denise Mina to her event with Lee Child at The Albert Halls.Frances Crawford started writing late in life. She secured a scholarship to study Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow and credits her tutor, Canongate author Louise Welsh, with encouraging her to take her short story and develop it into a novel. She graduated aged 60 with MLitt (Distinction). The short story won the Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story competition in 2023. Following a ten-way auction Transworld editor, Finn Cotton, acquired rights from agents Oli Munson and Euan Thorneycroft at A M Heath. At Bloody Scotland 2025 an informal proof signing drew larger crowds than some of the event signings. A Bad, Bad Place was published to great acclaim in February 2026 and will be published in paperback on 31 December. Bloody Scotland is delighted to celebrate an extraordinary new talent representing Scottish crime writing on the world stage.

Upcoming Bloody Scotland Crime Book Festival Panels featuring Tim Sullivan and Richard Osman written by Lou #BloodyScotland #TimSullivan #RichardOsman #VikingBooksUK #HeadofZeus

Article written by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

Today, I am pleased to join the blog tour for Bloody Scotland talking about a couple of panels you can see, focusing on a couple of authors in-particular who I recommend.

Excitedly, there are many crime writing authors arriving to Stirling’s famous Crime Festival that is Bloody Scotland. I am so pleased to share with you something about Richard Osman and Tim Sullivan on this blog tour. They are on separate panels, one more known than the other both writing highly original books.

Tim Sullivan is on a panel: Dangers on a Train: Ilona Bannister, Tim Sullivan, CM Ewan – Friday 13:30pm – 18th September

I have been privileged to read and review a few of his DS George Cross books over the years. DS Cross is on the neurodivergent/autistic spectrum and Tim Sullivan’s writing is strong and sharply observed. He captures the traits of someone functioning very accurately and writes so you know in no uncertain terms of DS Cross’s personality and mannerisms. There is an authentic feel.
Delve further into the books and he has created a twisty world of crime that is compelling and twisty.

Hop aboard, you’re in for a fascinating ride!

The Dentist, The Cyclist, The Patient, The Politician, The Monk, The Teacher, The Bookseller, The Tailor are his books in-order to date.

I have had the privilege of reviewing some of the books. As you hurtle down the track full of murder, here are some links to some books for Tim Sullivan.

Discover him on the Dangers on A Train panel: https://bloodyscotland.com/booking

Here are a few books I have been privileged to review:

The Patient and The Politician Monk

The Teacher The Bookseller

Richard Osman with Mark Billingham – Friday 18th September
20:15 – Albert Halls

Richard Osman, what a career this man has managed to carve out for himself. He certainly cannot be put in a box as it were with his talents spanning from TV like Pointless, House of Games and being on panels such as Would I Lie To You to book series, The Thursday Murder Club and We Solve Murders. To date 17 million of his books have been sold worldwide and translated into 40 languages.

The second in the newest series has just been published, We Chase Shadows. It’s cleverly written with a darker tinge than the first and more in-depth characterisation. There are also topical subjects covered and nice nods to his predecessors. You also get to travel with the crime solving trio to Italy, to Palm Springs and to Barcelona in pursuit of a killer from the comfort of the page.

His books to date from both series are:

We Solve Murders, We Chase Shadows, The Thursday Murder Club, The Man Who Died Twice The Bullet That Missed, The Last Devil To Die, The Impossible Fortune

The two give a fascinating and entertaining talk when they are together. I was privileged to see them together at Bloody Scotland just before The Thursday Murder Club was published in 2019. Going by previous experience, his talks are as immersive and as compelling as the books when he and successful author, Mark Billingham, A Bloody Scotland favourite, get together. They make the perfect duo. You can tell they’re friends and see the warm respect they have for each other.

https://bloodyscotland.com/booking

Here are some book reviews for Richard Osman:

We Chase Shadows 2019 Bloody Scotland Talk Write Up

The Thursday Murder The Man Who Died Twice

The Impossible Fortune

Follow the rest of the Bloody Scotland Influencers on the blog tour to find out about more panels and more authors coming to Stirling here:

#Review of We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman #bookreview by Lou part of #WeSolveMurders series #WeChaseShadows #RichardOsman #vikingbooks

We Chase Shadows
By Richard Osman

review by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages

Richard Osman has expertly written another twisty book that holds nothing back and creates an atmosphere of dark intrigue among the cosy and humour of the plot in this second in the We Solve Murders mystery series.
Thanks to Viking for an advanced copy of the book and to them and Richard Osman for the postcards and pin badge of which neither has influenced my review, but I do like them.

This series started with the much acclaimed, brilliant, We Solve Murders. Now comes the much anticipated We Chase Shadows. The idea of alternating the much loved The Thursday Murder Club with this series is a stroke of genius. It keeps everything fresh and shows off Richard Osman’s writing styles even more.

It’s a joy to return to Rosie, Amy and Steve and their relational dynamics. Steve, a retired police officer with a lovable cat. He has daugher-in-law Amy who likes to take down criminals and sees that better and easier than dealing with her personal life. Then there’s bestselling author Rosie. Together, they take on a case with a rather secretive client who has reasons for avoiding bringing in the police, which is why We Solve Murders is contacted about a killer.

The case takes the team out of their HQ to travelling between Italy and Palm Springs, via Barcelona and Steve’s pub. The scenery is picturesque as the backdrop to a murder mystery that becomes twisty and has many suspects attached to it. There are interesting parts about the fake vitamin and medication markets along the way.

Now the character’s are established, it’s interesting to see their development and how they relate to each other and about their lives and how they interact with the work they do. They’re a fascinating bunch. Amy has an interesting backstory that emerges more and its quite insightful as you get to know more about her personality and life.
Rosie finds herself on TV and Graham Norton has been very well observed and is written perfectly.
There’s more mentioned in the world of showbiz that is timely in talks about a cancellation as something surfaces with a more fictional character.

There’s an interesting comparison study on Sherlock Holmes, Poirot and Leopold. There’s a nice mention of The Bill too. It’s a nice nod to the people and characters who came before, Richard Osman’s bookish writing and his characters.

Richard Osman’s writing captivates and he captures all the bits that make us human very well and from the most unlikable to the likable makes them interesting and with depth.

He has added into the mix of intrigue, a dry wit, which is written in a natural tone.

This series is brewing rather nicely and grips very well.

We Chase Shadows is highly intriguing as well as got enthralling main characters coupled with an entertaining compelling plot. Hopefully there will be more to come…

Blurb

At sunrise, high in the Italian hills, a body is found on the steps of a beautiful private villa. On the body is a threatening note, signed by a mystery man.

Back at We Solve Murders HQ, Amy, Rosie and Steve leap at the chance to take on their first proper case. So what if their new client seems to have his own reasons for avoiding the police? All they need to do is uncover who left the note, and then find them. Simple.

But once they start digging, the suspects keep piling up: there’s Sweden’s most-wanted criminal, a canny ex-wife and a fierce business rival – yet the murderer keeps evading them. And as the trio chase a villain through the shadows, danger travels closer to home . . .

Between Italy and Palm Springs, via Barcelona and Steve’s village pub, can the team catch an elusive killer who knows EXACTLY where to hide?

#Review of Einaudi’s Piano by Candlelight – Spirited Away Played by Pianist Matthew Leigh Shiel #CandlelightConcert #MatthewLeighShiel #StVincentsChapel #Edinburgh

Einaudi’s Piano by Candlelight – Spirited Away
Played by Pianist Matthew Leigh Shiel

Review by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

Candlelight Concerts are growing bigger each year and The Chapel at St Vincent’s was packed. This concert – Spirited Away was a beautiful immersion of piano music for the senses.
Beyond a single piano in the beautiful chapel were candles and above was a screen with Japanese calligraphy and Zen symbols being drawn throughout the evening. The digital projections are by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Yitong Shen.

Matthew Sheil introduced each piece with a bit of background to what was going to be heard, which was interesting. There were pieces from Debussy, the French film, Amelie, pieces composed by Phillip Glass and more… There were tales from myths like sunken cities and modern day life, such as one asking, why do we rush so much? Each was connected with the music and what the composer had intended.
Matthew Sheil brought them to life, ensuring their emotive qualities were present, sometimes capturing the storms of seas to the nuances of life and calmness. He plays with passion and a light touch to one of deep strength. Each piece has a quality that goes between a Zen like meditation, provoking inner peace to rousing. The chosen pieces of music provokes something very primal, human and emotive.
By the end, rather sweetly, he sends you to be Spirited Away, with a lullaby.

Updated Interview with Stan Zimmerman of Gilmore Girls fame on Transferring Right Before I go to Soho Theatre #RightBeforeIGo #suicideprevention #GilmoreGirls #goldengirls #wellbeing #theatre #play #SohoTheatre

Interview with Stan Zimmerman
on Right before I go

interview by Louise Cannon

Right Before I Go has a Soho Theatre transfer from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a hope that it will extend to other places. In this updated interview, we chat about what effect the play had on Edinburgh audiences, certain changes and certain aspects that will remain and about the play, a special talkback with a professional present and more…

I am humbled to have the opportunity to do this interview with Stan Zimmerman, writer of Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls and on a much talked about and very important subject matter. Right Before I Go is a suicide prevention play. Do read on, he is very serious about this and has answered questions informatively, sensitively and it’s interesting. It is also worth noting his show comes with support and from what I’ve read, it sounds a very well thought out and responsibly put together show for audiences.

Let’s warmly welcome, Stan Zimmerman to Bookmarks and Stages.
pics are Stan Zimmerman (writer and actor) Check them out and then let’s begin the interview.

How does it feel knowing you are able to transfer your show, a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to Soho Theatre?

Overjoyed! I thought being invited by Pleasance Theatre to bring my play, RIGHT BEFORE I GO, to Edinburgh Fringe was a monumental moment on my life’s bucket list. But being able to perform it in London, especially during September, which is World Suicide Prevention Month, is really a dream come true. A dream I don’t want to wake up from. My mother, who passed five years ago, was obsessed with the UK, even living in Bridport for a few months when she was my age. So, I’ll be holding her very close to my heart during our limited run on Dean Street.

Would you change anything or certain aspects you feel you would definitely keep the same from your Edinburgh show as you transfer it?

I edited the script for the UK, when we did an Industry Only reading of it last March. And of course, I had to tighten the script for Fringe, which only allows for an hour running time. My director, the fabulous Abigail Morris, seems pretty happy with this version, so we’ll probably bring this draft to Soho. Maybe a few minor tweaks.

What effect did it have on people in Edinburgh?

I got to connect with so many people, from all over the world, during our post show Talk Backs and in the lobby after. It was clear to me that this is a global epidemic that needs our collective attention. Immediately. Audiences were grateful that there is now a theatrical piece that addresses the shame and silence around this topic.

Are you planning to try to tour to more places in the UK?

I obviously would love a longer run of this play on the West End, but our immediate goal is to plan a school tour in the UK next year (mid-April to mid-May 2027). Reaching students at that age, could save so many lives. Not to mention stop the bullying that made me feel so isolated and not wanting to go on when I was that age. If anyone wants to help with this endeavor, please contact me via my website: stan@zimmermanstan.com Together, we can break the silence.

Stan, you are bringing your show Right Before You Go, a suicide prevention play, driven by the suicide of your real life friend, to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Who or what inspired you to bring the play from NYC to Edinburgh?

“Having one of my plays performed at the famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival has always been on my bucket list. But it felt like a far off dream. It only became reality after our very successful UK industry reading of it this past March at the Soho Theatre. I was honored to share the stage with a stellar cast including Vanessa Williams, Matt Henry, Iz Hesketh and Olly Alexander. The Pleasance Theatre came to that reading and invited me to Fringe for the entire month. We’re hoping to bring the play back to London after Fringe in September, which is World Suicide Prevention Awarness Month.”

In the UK, suicide is starting to gain awareness. Why do you feel it is so important to talk about suicide on stage and in the hope of preventing it.

“Theatre can be a powerful tool. I know firsthand. Finding my tribe on stage saved my life. I want to end the shame surrounding the subject of suicide and talking about it, in this forum is a start. Especially with young people, which is why we’re in discussion tour this play in schools throughout the UK in Spring 2027.”

You use real suicide notes of celebrities, veterans, bullied teens, those identifying as LGBTQ+ and those who have experienced mental health issues.

How did you go about getting permission to use letters that are so raw and sensitive?

“All of these notes are in the public domain. They’ve been posted, broadcast or released by family members. Usually with the intent of saving other individuals from suffering in silence. Something I learned when first creating this play, was that newspapers used to regularly publish suicide notes.

Right Before I Go is followed by a talkback with a mental health professional.

For those going to the performance, how does that work in practice?

“I made it part of the agreement when licensing my play from TRWshowsUK, that you must do a Talk Back after the show with a local mental health professional. I often find that part of the show, is the most gripping. After I’ve been so open and honest in the play, audience members sometimes reveal feelings and stories that they’ve kept hidden for years. Even decades.”

What do you hope the play will achieve by the time people are leaving the auditorium?

“I already know that this play has saved lives since we debuted at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2015. Being in Edinburgh, i hope the piece is introduced to the global theatre community. The high suicide rate knows no boudaries of countries. This subject must be addressed through a worldwide lens. On a personal level, I hope that audiences leave the theatre and check in with their friends to see if they’re doing okay.”

How do you and others in the star-studded cast look after own wellbeing after rehearsals and performing in-front of audiences, in-particular after this play which carries such a necessary, important but emotional topic.

“I get asked that question a lot during our Talk Backs, because it’s obviously still so emotional for me to talk about losing my friend to suicide in the play. But it’s also extremely empowering to know that using my craft can make a difference in other people’s lives. Of course, I’ve only done the play two days in a row in the past. I’ll be performing in twenty-four shows in Edinburgh. So if you see me staggering through town, buy me a pint!”

Money will be raised for SL24: Unlocke the Light Foundation, based in Delaware. Can you tell us more about this non-profit organisation?

SL24: UnLocke the Light Foundation is a Delaware-based nonprofit organization with a threefold mission: to educate, assist, and support young people on their mental health journey. For more information on their educational and Peer24 Support programs, please visit www.unlockethelight.com. I had the privilege of meeting Chris Locke during a mini-East Coast US tour starring Virginia Madsen and some “Gilmore Girls” cast members. He lost his son to suicide and created this amazing organization. He said he plans to come to Edinburgh and is a very eloquent speaker on this subject.”

Tickets can be purchased and further synopsis looked at on the official website for the Soho Theatre run can be found here: https://sohotheatre.com/events/right-before-i-go/