Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is set to publish its first ever fiction book later this year, featuring contributions from some of the country’s greatest contemporary crime writers.
Launched at the International Crime Writing Festival of the same name, Bloody Scotland sees a selection of Scotland’s best crime writers use the sinister side of the country’s built heritage in stories that are by turns gripping, chilling and redemptive.
Stellar contributors Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre, Denise Mina, Ann Cleeves, Louise Welsh, Lin Anderson, Gordon Brown, Doug Johnstone, Craig Robertson, E S Thomson, Sara Sheridan and Stuart MacBride will explore the dramatic potential of Scotland’s iconic sites and structures in a series of thrilling short stories.
From murder in an ancient broch and a macabre tale of revenge among the clamour of an eighteenth century mill, to a dark psychological thriller set within the tourist throng of Edinburgh Castle and an ‘urbex’ rivalry turning fatal in the concrete galleries of an abandoned modernist ruin, this collection uncovers the intimate – and deadly – connections between people and places. Prepare for a dangerous journey into the dark shadows of our nation’s buildings – where passion, fury, desire and death collide.
James Crawford, Publishing Manager at HES, said: “With the Bloody Scotland book we are bringing together two of Scotland’s greatest assets – its heritage and its crime writing – in a unique collaboration.
"So much of our special storytelling culture has come from authors taking inspiration from our unique buildings and landscapes. We wanted to explore this head on, challenging 12 of our top crime writers to set their stories in and around Scotland’s most iconic sites and structures. The results are sensational, and are already creating a buzz internationally ahead of publication – North American rights have been sold, with interest coming from many other territories as well.”
Bloody Scotland is due to be published on 8th September 2017.
Bloody Scotland is Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival, providing a showcase for the best crime writing from Scotland and the world. It will run from 8-10 September 2017.