Featuring Sir Ian Rankin, James MacPherson and Gray O’Brien
review by Louise Cannon Bookmarks and Stages
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Three incarnations of Rebus presented themselves on stage in an outstanding, fascinating talk about that famous detective, created by Sir Ian Rankin. In the mix, James Macpherson created the audio version and Gray O’Brian played Rebus on stage in A Game Called Malice.
There were many insights, I certainly hadn’t really considered before, such as the grey, sometimes controversial themes of football teams were brought up in a humorous manner, as to whether Rebus is a supporter of Hibs or Hearts, both highly rival teams. Ian Rankin also talked about prisons and colour coded clothing systems when they are out and about. Possibly only something you would know if you work in the service or an author doing research.
Each author talked about how they bring Rebus to screen, picture him, act him, play a little around with scripts, bringing something earlier than perhaps later, to hit a better landing of a line or a joke. When it comes to stage, how something can be tweaked at the last minute, in this case by Ian Rankin. It gave deep insight into what an audience doesn’t see, so isn’t usually privy to how everything builds and comes together. There were fascinating insights how Gray O’Brien takes a character onto the stage and how James Macpherson creates audio versions of the book. You could tell they care about who they play and, testament to them, however they bring Rebus to life off the page, with their own interpretations of the character, they bring something believable that’s compelling to watch or listen to, that still rings true to Ian Rankin’s creation. All three seem a powerhouse in the way they keep Rebus alive in so many formats.
What is also very insightful and perhaps a little reflective, adding even more depth of interest is how each actor brings something different to Rebus and how Ian Rankin is still interested and still learning about his creation by watching and listening to how people play him.
A Puzzle of Rebuses panel was compelling, fascinating and humorous. It was genius in bringing 3 different incarnations of Rebus and see how they can also all work together.
Life On The Edge Talk featuring William Shaw, Chris Chibnall. GD Wright
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
All three authors aren’t strangers to crime in seemingly serene, scenic places on coasts, coffee shops and communities of people who know each other well. They then twist it up a bit and delve into the psyche of a place and create a believable crime scene. They talked about the importance of making the reader believe that a crime could take place in an area and making it authentic.
William Shaw is known for book series, DS Alex Cupidi and more… GD Wright is known for After the Storm and Into the Fire Chris Chibnall is known for Broadchurch, Dr. Who and more…
The scenery plays a big character in each of the authors books, in the main, the characters change from book to book, but the constant is the scenery, that sense of place within each of them. What was interesting was how they write in places they know rather well and how they handle writing somewhere so close to home. They talked about Life and Death on the Edge. It’s a clever title. It perhaps isn’t what you think it means, it’s about being at the edge of something and you can’t go anywhere, you’re hemmed in. The authors are very good at allowing audience members minds paint a picture that also carries the talk along in fascinating directions, as you envisage the imagery of their books. In most cases, even after many books, they write what they know, with the additions of researching certain topics, such as how to get deer antlers. It sounds rather involved.
They each have their own writing techniques with no real planning, sometimes visualising characters and hearing their voices and in-terms of Chris Chibnall, he was interesting in explaining the differences between writing for screen and for the written page.
The panel was jovial and sounded in good spirits as they brought tales of crime, how they researched it, rather astonishingly, what was researched. Some internet histories are going to look rather interesting in themselves. They also brought humour and frequently had the audience in peels of laughter. The authors had imparted that they only met that day, but they came across as very natural and succinct, in a sense, in-tune with each other, making for a very cohesive, highly entertaining talk. It was the type of talk that was very easy to just settle into as time whisked away at a fast pace. It leaves you wanting more…
William Shaw’s Red Shore is a thriller with an emotional punch as a detective searches for the truth about his sister’s drowning off the Devon coast.
Death at the White Hart is the stunning debut from Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall as death and whispers create tension in a picturesque Dorset village.
A heroic act is the unwitting spark for a tight-knit small town to be ripped apart in GD Wright’s emotional rollercoaster Into the Fire.
The programme is full of authors who are new and established with great stories to tell. With guest programmer, Sir Ian Rankin at the helm, expect lots of fabulous interviews and guests. I have seen a number of these authors before and they’re brilliant. For the blog tour, I have chosen 4, instead of the required 2 to spotlight and
a few to mention, since we are now on Day 1 of this fabulous festival that takes intrepid readers to Stirling, Scotland, between The Golden Lion Hotel, Holy Trinity Church and Albert Halls as its all within walking distance venues. Based on who I have been reading and seen before. I have also included some books that are already on my read to review list. I will have the pleasure of reviewing panels from Friday evening after my day job, which is entirely different from blogging, until and including Sunday morning.
I recommend the following panels:
Life and Death on the Edge: William Shaw, Chris Chibnall, GD Wright Holy Trinity Church – Friday 12th Sept 20:30 – 21:30
This sounds an intriguing panel that takes you to the darkest parts of the usually serene, picturesque locations of the Devon Coast and a Dorset Village. I have seen and read William Shaw’s books before. The last talk I saw was fascinating as he (and his books) take you on a compelling twisty journey of life and death. The last time I saw William Shaw speak, you could hear a pin drop in the room. Everyone sat up and took notice. The last book I read of his was Dead Rich, which I read in as little as two sittings. Two because I had to sleep so I could be work ready in the morning. The style and calibre of writing is high. I haven’t read nor heard the other two on the panel speak, but they are will also have a fascinating tale to tell too. Chris Chibnall is best known for creating the tense, hugely popular tv series, Broadchurch, so has form when weaving secrets into picturesque, usually quiet places and turning them upside down. Death at the White Hart is his debut novel. GD. Wright promises an emotional rollercoaster in Into The Fire. This is a panel not to be missed!
Sir Ian Rankin Presents The Reverend Richard Coles Saturday 13th September – 14:30 – The Albert Halls
Firstly, Sir Ian Rankin can be totally relied upon to ask some excellent questions and dig deep between the lines. He also, from hearing him speak before, listens well to his guests and is natural in the conversation he drives forwards. He’s a stalwart at book festivals, especially Bloody Scotland and his guests are all in safe hands, even with his murderous intent on a page. The Reverend Richard Coles, I heard speak just this year (2025) at the Edinburgh Book Festival. He is fascinating as he takes you into his world where church and murder collide. He has a new book that’s been recently published, in his now established series that began with Murder Before Evensong, called Death on Location. The Reverend Richard Coles brings insight and lots of humour to his talks, which makes them highly entertaining.
The Psychology of Villains Golden Lion Hotel – Saturday 17:30 – 18:30
The Psychology of Villains: Craig Robertson, Alex North, Prof Graham Pike & Prof Zoe Walkington
This is a panel for those who like to explore the psychology of the villains in books. I’ve read some books and seen talks by Craig Robertson and they are deep, considered, intelligent and cover the dark topics. This panel sounds another dark path for readers to take, but it will be entertaining. The other authors sound fascinating and one has a Netflix adaptation of his book to his name. Check out here to find out more details: The Psychology of Villains
A Particularly Nasty Case – Adam Kay The Albert Halls – Sunday 14th Sept 13:30-14:30
Adam Kay, I first saw him at the Edinburgh Book Festival, 2025. He is known for This Is Going To Hurt. Now he’s got a debut novel, that enters into the medical world, but mixes it with fiction. I am currently reading and enjoying this book and will review when finished. His talk is fascinating, he tells it how it is within the NHS in parts and mental health. He makes some greatly valid points when imparting on his experience and of that of his ante-hero character. He is also very funny, making his talk highly entertaining. He makes you warm to him and you can’t but help listen hard about all that he has to say. To find out more about this Adam Kay’s interesting talk, discover it here: Adam Kay
I also recommend Lin Anderson’s panel Setting The Crime Scene. Her Rhona MacLeod books are twisty with a forensic focus. Mark Billingham is exceedingly entertaining to listen to. He’s in conversation with Laura Lippman Ambrose Parry’s panel digs deep, mixing history with crime in Female Leads, History Follows.
Books I have, at the time of writing this blog post that I am reading between now and near future from people who are on this panel are:
The Art of the Lie by Laura-Shepherd Robinson – History and Her Story panel Quite Ugly One Evening by Chris Brookmyre – as Ambrose Parry at Bloody Scotland for a different book – his panel is: Female Leads, History Follows A Particularly Nasty Case by Adam Kay (see link above).
The Man On The Endless Stair is featuring on the Bloody Scotland book tour, organised by Love Books Tours. This crime festival runs in the historical small city of Stirling from Friday 12th Sept to and including, Sunday 14th Sept. Bloody Scotland Crime Book Festival and the new book, The Man On The Endless Stair are where the literary world meets murder, in different ways… I highly recommend this for something quite original for this genre. Check out my review and then the blurb below…
Review
Eerie and in some ways, quite cinematic in what you, as the reader can see through your mind’s eye from the rich descriptions in scenery to the characterisations. What unfolds. deeply immerses you into the book.
Malcolm Furnival is an intriguing character. He’s gone to one of the secluded islands that make up the Hebrides in Scotland and becomes quite deliberately, isolated it seems and he senses something bad will happen to him… He’s also in some ways been not quiet himself either, but what transpires is something quite shocking…
In part, the book makes some deep, philosophical points about the human condition and the nature of time, which is quite cerebral, in a good way. This isn’t to be mistaken that this is a heavy going book, it really isn’t, it does however, make some intelligently thought through points that are thought-provoking. These link beautifully into the lighter, imaginative parts of the story that create this very compelling story of crime and the mysterious workings of time itself.
For a debut novel, it’s complexity in thought and concept seems rather accomplished in this debut novel. It’s one to look out for.
Blurb
When troubled but talented young author Euan meets decorated novelist Malcolm Furnivall, he feels his luck has finally changed. Malcolm takes Euan as a protégé, vouching for him in the rarefied literary scene in the 1950s. But lately, Malcolm has not been himself. Consumed by his work, he cuts an increasingly isolated figure and has become convinced that something terrible will befall him. He summons his loved ones to his secluded island in the Hebrides and – to everyone’s surprise – entrusts Euan with the task of completing his masterpiece.
Malcolm’s suspicions soon prove well-founded; he is discovered brutally murdered in his study, and his invaluable unfinished novel has vanished. Cut off from the mainland, with the killer on the loose and the island’s inhabitants circling, Euan feels both his mentor’s legacy and his only chance at greatness slipping away. He must venture deep into Malcolm’s labyrinthine mansion to find the manuscript before it falls into the wrong hands.
But what he doesn’t yet know is that the closer he comes to solving the mystery, the tighter he will bind himself to a fate sealed in time . . .
BLOODY SCOTLAND REVEALS THE LONGLIST FOR THE 2025 McILVANNEY PRIZE sponsored by The Glencairn Glass
Winner to be presented on Friday 12 September 2025 on the opening night of the festival
Bloody Scotland reveals the longlist for the 2025 McIlvanney Prize. The winner will be announced in the ballroom of The Golden Lion Hotel on the opening night of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival and lead a ‘Day of the Deid’ procession to the Albert Halls. This year the prize will be judged by BBC Radio Scotland presenter, Nicola Meighan; Journalist, Arusa Qureshi and Crime Blogger, Gordon McGhie.
The 2025 longlist – selected by an Academy composed of booksellers, librarians, bloggers and broadcasters – is today revealed to be:
WHISPERS OF THE DEAD by Lin Anderson (Macmillan) THE MIDNIGHT KING by Tariq Ashkanani (Viper) THE DYING LIGHT by Daniel Aubrey (HarperNorth) CARNIVAL OF LIES by D V Bishop (Macmillan) UNSOUND by Heather Critchlow (Canelo) THE MOON’S MORE FEEBLE FIRE by Allan Gaw (Polygon) THE GOOD FATHER by Liam McIlvanney (Bonnier) PAPERBOY by Callum McSorley (Pushkin Press) THE GOOD LIAR by Denise Mina (Vintage) GUNNER by Alan Parks (John Murray) DEATH OF SHAME by Ambrose Parry (Canongate) MIDNIGHT AND BLUE by Ian Rankin (Orion) A THIEF’S BLOOD by Douglas Skelton (Canelo)
The list features five authors who got their first big break when they were shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. Callum McSorley was shortlisted for the Debut in 2023 when he went on to win the main McIlvanney Prize. Tariq Ashkanani and Allan Gaw have both won the Debut Prize – in 2022 and 2024 respectively. Heather Critchlow and Daniel Aubrey have also both come through the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize pathway, Heather was shortlisted for the Debut Prize in 2023 and Daniel in 2024.
D V Bishop, who originally won Pitch Perfect at Bloody Scotland in 2018, is one of only two authors who appears on the long list for the second year in a row. Douglas Skelton – who has now been longlisted for the prize six times – also appeared on the longlist last year.
Festival Director Bob McDevitt said:
“Supporting new writers is at the heart of Bloody Scotland and it is great to see so many authors graduating from the debut shortlist to the main prize and slugging it out with more established names. I’m glad I don’t have to pick a winner from this excellent crop of crime novels!“
Last year’s winner, Chris Brookmyre, has a presence as 50% of Ambrose Parry with his wife, former consultant anaesthetist Marisa Haetzman and Guest Programmer, Sir Ian Rankin, is on the list with his latest Sunday Times bestseller, Midnight and Blue.
The McIlvanney longlist and the Bloody Scotland shortlist will be promoted in bookshops throughout Scotland in the period between the announcement and the presentation at 6pm on Friday 12 September. The winners will both be interviewed on stage in the ballroom of The Golden Lion by BBC presenter, Bryan Burnett.
Kirsty Nicholson, Glencairn Crystal’s Design and Marketing Manager, said:
“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the McIlvanney Prize with the Glencairn Glass – the official glass for whisky. It’s fantastic to see so many wonderful authors on this year’s long list. We’d like to raise a glass and say a big congratulations and good luck to all the talented authors who have made it through.”
The Good Father, at time of writing this review has been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize (William McIlvanney that is) at Bloody Scotland. Having just read it, I can see, with such strong writing, why it’s on such a prestigious list. Readers of crime/psychological thrillers are in for a treat. Check out the blurb below and then my review to discover more…
Blurb
‘Heart-stopping and heart-rending, this is Liam McIlvanney’s best novel yet’ VAL MCDERMID
WHEN A CHILD DISAPPEARS, NO SECRET IS SAFE . . .
Gordon and Sarah Rutherford are normal, happy people with rich, fulfilling lives. They have a son they adore, a house on the beach and a safe, friendly community in a picture-postcard town.
Until, one day, Bonnie the Labrador comes in from the beach alone. Their son, Rory, has gone – the only trace left behind is a single black sandal.
Their lives don’t fall apart immediately. While there’s still hope, they dig deep and try to carry on.
But as desperation mounts, arms around shoulders become fingers pointed – at friends, family, strangers, each other. Without any answers, only questions remain. Who can they trust? How far will they go to find out what happened to Rory?
And the deadliest question of all: what could be worse than your child disappearing?
When the truth begins to emerge, they find themselves in a world they could barely have imagined.
‘Beautifully written, this is easily one of the finest crime novels I’ve read in a very long time’C.M. EWAN
Review
The writing stops you in your tracks right from the start. It grabs your attention in a way that makes you want to drop everything else that you’re perhaps supposed to do and read on.
Readers meet Robert Rutherford and before his name is even mentioned, there’s a sinister feel just before the blow of full-on directness in behaviour. His and Sarah’s son has gone missing. There’s the usual finger-pointing at the parents and the seaside town wanting to move on. There is also, however some strikingly beautifully, yet heart-wrenching passages of overwhelming sadness and despair and how that can feel. You go on a very emotionally charged journey with them, following them every step of the way to try and find out what happened to Rory. As you do so, you also see other people’s perspectives too, which is interesting as is the time-lapses. You also see the lengths people will go to in such a situation and feel the tensions mount. Who is trustworthy and who is not?
There are some shocking twists, clearly not written just for the shock factor, but really work in-line with the storyline and yet also keep you hooked in. There are a few hard-hitting themes that bring current topics to the forefront and are addressed very well.
The Good Father is a strongly written emotional psychological thriller for summer that entrances and captivates into a seaside town with sinister activity.
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 