A Special Library Day

Pease Library, Darlington

A trip to the north of England is always a treat. I love the east coast train line from Edinburgh, with its great scenic views. I spent some lovely holidays in Scarborough as a child, and visited again a few years back for an appearance at their rather excellent book festival.

Newcastle is a favourite city of mine and I’ve appeared there with Danielle Ramsay, a great local crime writer. I love Harrogate Crime Writing Festival too (the inspiration for Bloody Scotland), and last year I had a fun time chairing the forensic event. But I’d never been to Darlington. I’ve gazed out the train windows many times as my train as stopped at the elegant station, but last week I finally got the chance to see this lovely town.

When  I was invited by Senior Lbrary Officer Vicky Emmerson to appear at Darlington Library during the week of National Libraries Day. I immediately accepted. It turned out that the invite came about because of my 2015 appearance at the Wigtown Book Festival, where one of Vicky’s library regulars had heard me speak.  A big thank you to that lady.

Vicky Emmerson & Lin Anderson

I was booked into the Blackwell Grange Hotel which, although quite central, is set in some lovely park land. I’d definitely recommend staying at the hotel to anyone visiting the area. The service was friendly and very welcoming, plus they served me up a lovely meal in my room after I got back from the event. (I can never eat beforehand).

My audience that night was splendid, and included Amanda Oughton, a Rhona MacLeod fan, who I’ve got to know on Twitter. It was great to be speak to her, and to be invited to join her Facebook book group.  It’s always wonderful to meet readers both in the flesh or in online groups like this.

I read the opening of The Special Dead, and explained where the idea for the story involving forensics and witchcraft had come from: I was having dinner with the producer and a potential director on my film Sometime Did Me Seek (based on my Dead Close story), when the director was recalling when his first short film had been made. After the shooting had finished, he’d gone out on the town to celebrate, and he and his friend met two young women who professed to be witches. The two lads found this idea very sexy at the time. I immediately thought, 'be careful what you wish for', and so The Special Dead was born.

On a sadder note, I learned the day after my Darlington event that the Pease Library is facing the prospect of closure due to cuts in council services. The Pease Library (Darlington’s Crown Street Library) opened in October 1885 after Edward Pease left £10,000 – £1m in today’s money – for a ‘library or other educational purpose’.  Read more on the story here. Please also consider signing the petition here. 

Rhona MacLeod series Book 10:-
The Special Dead #UK ► amazon.co.uk/dp/1447298314/
The Special Dead #US ► amazon.com/dp/1447298314/
The Special Dead #CA ► amazon.ca/dp/B00UXKJ0LW/
The Special Dead #AU ► amazon.com.au/dp/B010NCHH8W/ 

Patrick de Courvoisier series Book 2:-
The Case the Missing Madonna #UK ► amazon.co.uk/dp/0727885456/
The Case the Missing Madonna #US ► amazon.com/dp/0727885456/
The Case the Missing Madonna #CA ► amazon.ca/dp/0727885456/
The Case the Missing Madonna #AU ► amazon.com.au/dp/B0184KL9GG/

Lin Anderson's Amazon Author Page

Secrets of the crime thriller unlocked at Darlington Library

Scottish author Lin Anderson, creator of the Forensic Scientist Rhona MacLeod series, will offer an insight into the secrets behind the crime thriller during a special visit to Darlington to help celebrate National Libraries Day.

Lin, who helped found the annual ‘Bloody Scotland’ crime writing festival, is also author of a second mystery thriller series featuring private investigator Patrick de Courvoisier. Set in Cannes, it is described as ‘the Rockford Files meets James Bond’.

‘An Evening with Lin Anderson will take place at Darlington’s Crown Street Library on Wednesday, 3 February, from 7pm. Tickets cost £6, which includes wine and nibbles.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Local Environment said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lin to Darlington for the latest in our series of author visits and hope as many people as possible will join us for what promises to be a fascinating insight into the crime thriller genre.”

For more information or to book your place call into Darlington Library or call 01325 462034. For more information about Darlington Libraries and its event programme log onto the website at: http://www2.darlington.gov.uk/web/arena

Parking in Darlington town centre is just 50p per hour in Archer Street, Chesnut Street, East Street car park (above Wilkinsons) and Garden Street car parks. In addition, car users can pay for two hours or more in any council-run off street car park and get an extra hour for free. Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/parking.

Travelling to Darlington town centre by bus is easy and convenient with the new Arriva Frequenta service. Visit: www.dothelocalmotion.co.uk

"James Bond has nothing on de Courvoisier"

The second book in the Patrick de Courvoisier series, The Case of the Missing Madonna, was published in the USA on 1st January, and has received this Library Journal review:-

So no pressure for Book Three in the series (being written now) ....

(Book 2) The Case the Missing Madonna  ► Buy at Amazon
(Book 1) The Case the Black Pearl  ► Buy at Amazon

Special Xmas Offer - DRIFTNET eBook for 99p

(similar Xmas offer prices availabke from 1st December on other country Kindle Stores)

Rhona MacLeod Book 1 :-
Driftnet #UK ► amazon.co.uk/dp/B004R9QT9Q/
Driftnet #US ► amazon.com/dp/B004R9QT9Q/
Driftnet #CA ► amazon.ca/dp/B004R9QT9Q/
Driftnet #AU ► amazon.com.au/dp/B004R9QT9Q/ 

 

On the Road with Book Week Scotland

I have a busy few days ahead of me with events for Book Week Scotland, the week-long celebration of books and reading that takes place each November.

First up is my 'Crime and Cupcakes' appearance on Monday 23rd November at 15:00 at Elgin Library.

Then on Tuesday 24th November at 19:30 I have a 'Special Read' appearance at St Ninians Community Library in Stirling.

Finally I am appearing as part of the range of excellent East Lothian events for Book Week Scotland 2015 at Tranent Library at 19:00 on Wednesday 25th November.

I love meeting readers (and librarians!) so it will be a great chance to discuss and take questions on The Special Dead and on my other books.

Rhona MacLeod Book 10:-
The Special Dead #UK ► amazon.co.uk/dp/1447298314/
The Special Dead #US ► amazon.com/dp/1447298314/
The Special Dead #CA ► amazon.ca/dp/B00UXKJ0LW/
The Special Dead #AU ► amazon.com.au/dp/B010NCHH8W/ 

Characters in Action : Screen Academy Scotland 10th Anniversary Showcase tonight

I'm excited about the chance this evening to see my story River Child again in the cinema, at the Screen Academy Scotland 10th Anniversary Showcase showings at the Glasgow Film Theatre.

Creating the story, writing the screenplay, and then seeing my characters come alive through the work of the director (Damian Wood), the actors, and the whole team involved in the collaborative process of making a film was a wonderful experience.

This whodunit will snare readers from the opening page (Publishers Weekly review)

Publishers Weekly review: The Case of the Missing Madonna, Anderson, Lin (Author), 185 p. Severn, hardcover, (9780727885456).

Those who like their mysteries shaken not stirred will enjoy British author Anderson’s action-packed second Patrick de Courvoisier adventure (after 2014’s The Case of the Black Pearl). A summons to London uproots Patrick, an Englishman whose tastes in food and drink would meet James Bond’s approval, from his houseboat in Cannes, where he performs jobs as a fixer. In London, one of Patrick’s former bosses, Charles Carruthers, asks him to investigate a theft that involves the royal family, but he declines. Back in Cannes, Patrick agrees to look for a painting, Fragonard’s Madonna, which has gone missing from a monastery on the island of St. Honorat. Of course, the case isn’t what it seems, and Patrick uncovers a labyrinth of secrets dating back to WWII. He’s soon dodging bullets and an arch nemesis, though he finds that he and his enemy must work together for the common good. Full of fascinating history and lush descriptions of the French Riviera, this whodunit will snare readers from the opening page.

The Case the Missing Madonna #UK ► amazon.co.uk/dp/0727885456/
The Case the Missing Madonna #US ► amazon.com/dp/0727885456/
The Case the Missing Madonna #CA ► amazon.ca/dp/0727885456/