A Wee Crime Festival

“A Wee Crime Festival”

I have not been a big reader of crime novels but that may change as a result of attending the “Sixth Wee Crime Festival” in Grantown-on-Spey a nearby town near Nethy Bridge.  The

festival, that highlighted some of the country’s best-known crime writers was put on by the powerhouse owner of the well-loved independent “Bookmark” in the town of approximately 2,500.  Marjorie  Marshall, bookstore owner, began the festival with an opening night whodunnit, written by Douglas Skelton (author) and performed by other festival authors. 

I was able to attend the four excellent and informative panel events on Saturday exploring various issues affecting crime writers and how they develop plotlines as well as series. It was an education for me and one of the most interesting days I have spent in a while.  I came away with several books and a personal commitment to read books from each author in the next year.  They were all very entertaining and gave me an increased appreciation for this genre.  

I was reminded that people can make a huge difference in small towns  - by showing initiative such as Majorie regularly does in this Highland area.  I was honored to meet her. Her passion for books reminded me of our own Mary Riser’s passion for films. Don’t forget the Fairhope Film Festival coming up next weekend!

 Our own independent bookstore – Page & Palette is a place we should also treasure and support as they also bring well-known authors to our own town regularly. 

It was late when the sessions would end, but Marjorie, even during her busy day, made sure I had a ride home instead of my catching a late bus so I could stay until the end of the sessions.  People are so welcoming and nice time and time again. She even loaned me an advance copy of Douglas Skelton's "The Janus  Run" a week before the event.  I enjoyed it as well.

Check out these authors, many of whom set some of their works in the USA:

Alex Gray, Stuart MacBride, Craig Robertson, Douglas Skelton, Thomas Enger, Michael J. Malone, Neil Broadfoot, Caro Ramsay, Margaret Kirk, Helen Forbes, Sandra Ireland and one of my favorites, Alexandra Sokoloff who lives in California part-time.  I am reading “The Unseen” and it is hard to put down!