An intimate fiction festival celebrating Scotland’s “second biggest export” will take place at Glamis Castle next year.
Scottish crime fiction, dubbed “tartan noir”, has taken the literary world by storm in recent years, with millions of readers enjoying the work of dozens of modern writers from across the country.
The work of authors such as Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Alexander McCall Smith have inspired a wave of festivals such as Bloody Scotland in Stirling, Granite Noir in Aberdeen and Bute Noir in the Firth of Clyde.
Demand for dark, Gothic and hard-bitten writing with a Scottish perspective will not end there, however, following the announcement of a new kid on the tartan noir chopping block.
Dundee author Wendy H Jones has ruled the bestseller lists with her super sleuth DI Shona Mackenzie, a cynical but charismatic Dundonian detective.
As well as publishing five books in three years, the retired army major launched Crime at the Castle, described as “Scotland’s newest and most unique” crime festival.
The line-up for the event on February 24 2018 will not be announced until next month but it is understood to be a who’s who of Scottish crime fiction.
Wendy, 56, said the setting will guarantee festival-goers an unforgettable experience.
“Glamis Castle itself will provide the stunning, and eerie, backdrop to the event, with many of the rooms being used to host author talks and writing workshops,” she said.
“These include the drawing room, dining room, Queen Mother’s sitting room and a bookshop in the crypt.
“Crime fiction is Scotland’s second biggest export at the moment, behind whisky.
“There’s a huge number of talented writers in Scotland and more than enough to go around all these great festivals.”
After leaving school Wendy joined the Royal Navy and undertook nurse training before serving in the army for 17 years.
She served for 17 years, even reaching the prestigious rank of major.
After undertaking postings in Hong Kong, Germany and Israel, Wendy left the military to pursue a career in academia, lecturing in nurse education and education.
She took the self-publishing route and has routinely topped Amazon lists.
Wendy has also organised the latest “Noir At the Bar” event at Braes Bar in Perth Road, Dundee, on July 26.
The line-up includes James Oswald, Sandra Ireland, Chris Longmuir, Jackie Maclean, and Stephen Watt.
