The Book Show returns from its summer break with a special programme recorded at The Edinburgh International Book Festival. It’s one of the largest book festivals and this year over 800 authors are appearing in over 700 events!
We get a flavour of the festival, speaking to Festival Director Nick Barley, head bookseller James Shaw and book-buyers browsing the shelves at the pop-up book shop on site.
US comedian Ruby Wax takes a break from her book signing to tell us why she relishes her visits to Edinburgh.
Sinéad Gleeson has an extended interview with two giants of Scottish crime writing.
Author Val McDermid’s books have sold in their tens of millions and her latest novel, Out Of Bounds, is her 30th. Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is investigating one cold case and finds herself drawn to another cold case!
Ian Rankin is best known for his detective novels featuring the hard-drinking cop John Rebus. His latest novel Even The Dogs Go Wild, sees Rebus emerge from retirement to tackle his old foe Big Ger McCafferty. It’s Rebus’ 20th novel but even so he’s up against the odds in this one.
We hear more about these novels and we also hear readings from them.
Val and Ian talk about developing their much loved characters as well as how they research their subjects. They have long been friends and discuss their correspondence over the years – old fashioned letter-writing! Also, being writers steeped in death, they tell us how one of their biggest fears is leaving a novel unfinished!
