Tag: Val McDermid

Alan Cumming and Paula Hawkins join Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for festive book event

  • Special guests award-winning actor Alan Cumming and bestselling author of The Girl on the Train Paula Hawkins will join book lovers Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for a special festive in-conversation event as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas that explore the joys of reading 
  • Final tickets  on sale now
  • In The Company of Books joins stellar line-up of Christmas Shows at Assembly Hall this year including Jason Byrne, Swamplesque and The Bubble Show 

Edinburgh’s Christmas has announced multi-award winning actor Alan Cumming and author of  bestselling book The Girl on the Train Paula Hawkins will join book lovers Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for a special festive edition of their in-conversation event, In The Company of Books.

This special edition of In The Company of Books reunites friends and book lovers Val and Nicola to discuss all things literary, following a number of sold-out, acclaimed in-conversation events across the UK in recent years. 

Special guests Alan Cumming and Paula Hawkins will join Val and Nicola to explore the joys of reading alongside a few glasses of mulled wine and a lot of festive cheer.

Alan Cumming is the BAFTA Award, Emmy Award, Tony Award, and Olivier Award winning star of stage and screen known for Cabaret on Broadway (1994), Macbeth (2013), GoldenEye (1995), Nightcrawler in X2 (2003), the CBS series The Good Wife (2010–2016) and as host of the Peacock reality game show The Traitors. Plus, the Scottish star was recently announced as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre. 

Paula Hawkins is the author of The Girl on the Train which became a global phenomenon, selling over 23 million copies. Published in over fifty languages, it was a No.1 bestseller around the world and a box-office-hit film starring Emily Blunt. Paula’s most recent thrillers, Into the Water and A Slow Fire Burning, were also instant No.1 bestsellers with her new thriller, The Blue Hour,  published to acclaim earlier in the year. 

Alan Cumming said: “Val and Nicola are both huge inspirations to me, and I can’t wait to share a stage to talk about our shared passion for books.”

Paula Hawkins said: “There are few things I like more than a trawl through someone’s bookshelves, so I’m looking forward to having a good chat with Val and Nicola about the books we’ve loved and been inspired by over the years.”

Val McDermid has sold over 19 million books to date across the globe and has been translated into more than 40 languages. She is perhaps best known for her Wire in the Blood series featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan andis the recipient of six honorary doctorates and an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda’s College, Oxford.

Nicola Sturgeon is the MSP for Glasgow Southside constituency, and the former First Minister of Scotland – the longest-serving and first woman First Minister.

In The Company of Books joins a stellar line-up of performances taking place at Assembly Hall as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas this year.

These include the award-winning, critically acclaimed burlesque and drag parody show Swamplesque, brilliantly funny stand-up comedy from Jason Byrne in Jason Byrne: No Show; plus fun for all the family at the enchanting and inspiring children’s show The Bubble Show. 

For further information and to buy tickets, please go to edinburgh-christmas.com.

Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions are open daily except Christmas Day, with varying opening dates and times available at the official website. 

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon bring special festive in-conversation event to Edinburgh’s Christmas

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon bring a special festive edition of In The Company of Books in-conversation event to Edinburgh’s Christmas

Sunday 15th December | 4pm | 60 minutes

Assembly Hall, New College, Mound Place EH1 2LU

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  • Join book lovers Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for a special festive in-conversation event as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas
  • Special festive guests will join in the conversation as Val and Nicola explore the joys of reading (alongside a few glasses of mulled wine!)
  • Tickets go on sale at noon on Friday 8th November via the Edinburgh’s Christmas website
  • In The Company of Books joins stellar line-up of Christmas Shows at Assembly Hall this year including Jason Bryne, The Bubble Show and Swamplesque
  • Free To Use Edinburgh’s Christmas Images Here
  • Edinburgh’s Christmas Trailer

Edinburgh’s Christmas is pleased to announce that book lovers Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon will bring a special festive edition of their in-conversation event, In The Company of Books, to Edinburgh’s Christmas this year.

This special edition of In The Company of Books reunites friends and book lovers Val and Nicola to discuss all things literary, following a number of sold-out, acclaimed in-conversation events across the UK in recent years.

Joined by special guests to be revealed, Val and Nicola will explore the joys of reading alongside a few glasses of mulled wine and a lot of festive cheer.

Val McDermid has sold over 19 million books to date across the globe and has been translated into more than 40 languages. She is perhaps best known for her Wire in the Blood series featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan, She is the recipient of six honorary doctorates and is an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda’s College, Oxford.

Nicola Sturgeon is the MSP for Glasgow Southside constituency, and the former First Minister of Scotland – the longest-serving and first woman First Minister.

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon said, “Books are magic. Portable magic, according to Stephen King. And like magic, books build bridges. In our case, an improbable friendship between a passionate politician and Scotland’s queen of crime.

“Our love of books is what first drew us together and it remains the mainstay of that friendship. Every conversation we have eventually meanders round to the books we are reading, what we’ve been enjoying, what has been making us laugh or cry, or keeping us on the edge of our seats.

“And now we want to share the love. First up, festive fun at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms with two stellar mystery guests; then off to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival where we’ll be joined by two top names from the comedy world.

“We’ll be interrogating our guests about the books that shaped them and why they love reading. Revelations galore await as we explore the love and laughter between the covers.”

Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas said: “We are thrilled to have Val and Nicola bring their in-conversation event to Edinburgh’s Christmas this year.

“This is sure to be a highlight in the Christmas calendar and we invite everyone to grab a glass of mulled wine and settle in for what will be a witty, warm and insightful event.”

In The Company of Books joins a newly announced stellar line-up of performances taking place at Assembly Hall as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas this year.

These include the enchanting and inspiring children’s show The Bubble Show; brilliantly funny stand-up comedy from Jason Byrne in Jason Byrne: No Show; the award-winning, critically acclaimed burlesque and drag show Swamplesque.

For further information and to buy tickets, please go to edinburgh-christmas.com.

Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions are open daily except Christmas Day, with varying opening dates and times available at the official website.


Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers LIVE at the Edinburgh Fringe!

The Stand’s New Town Theatre

9:15pm, 8 – 11 August, £18, thestand.co.uk

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Having temporarily put down their pens and picked up guitars, this crime-writing super-group – Mark Billingham, Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre, Luca Veste, Doug Johnstone and Stuart Neville – happily murder much-loved songs by The Clash, Elvis Costello, The Beatles, Talking Heads, The Jam, The Pretenders, Johnny Cash and many others who are currently considering legal action.

Between them, they have sold over 20 million books worldwide and won every major crime-writing award, but now they’re rocking out on the stage instead of the page and performing killer tunes in a series of killer shows at major festivals and venues, including this first ever run at the Edinburgh Fringe. 

The band have rocked the stage at Glastonbury, blown the roof off The Queen’s Hall, and performed to international audiences from Reykjavik to Toronto. The unlikely band formed at the House of Blues in New Orleans in 2016, when an open mic night at a crime-writing festival got out of hand.

Fuelled by whisky, beer and distinctly murderous tendencies, the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers deliver the most rocking night out this side of a library. Murder on the dancefloor is guaranteed!

Largo Arts Week returns to Fife’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’ village

MORE than sixty artists will open their studios to visitors as Largo Arts Week kicks off on Saturday July 16 in Fife’s “Robinson Crusoe” village of Lower Largo.

The festival combines art, concerts, free gigs and talks with renowned crime novelists Sir Ian Rankin and Val McDermid each featuring in “an audience with” session.

The third annual Largo Arts Week – www.largoartsweek.com – runs from Saturday July 16 – Sunday July 24 and will also feature appearances by folk music legend Rab Noakes, Americana R&B guitarist Brooks Williams, international sculptor David Mach, singer and broadcaster Richard Jobson and children’s illustrator Jill Calder.

A total of 66 artists – nearly double the number who participated in the festival’s inaugural year in 2019 – will be exhibiting in 36 homes and studios, which will be open to the public throughout the week.

Lower Largo is famous as the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, the man who inspired the story of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. 

Val McDermid and Ian Rankin will take part in “an audience with” events in the village’s Crusoe Hotel, being interviewed by Skids frontman and broadcaster Richard Jobson, who also hails from Fife.

The Crusoe Hotel will be the main ‘hub’ for the Festival with the Upper Largo Hotel and community café The Aurrie as other key venues.

Festival director Andrew Stenson said: “It’s shaping up to be a fantastic week of art and music and we hope there is something for everyone in the programme with the combination of internationally-known artists and writers along with local artistic talent.”

Key highlights of the festival include:

  • Scots folk music legend Rab Noakes, who is making his third appearance at the Arts Week, will join Georgia-born guitarist and Americana songwriter Brooks Williams in a gig at community venue, The Aurrie.
  • Internationally recognised opera singer, soprano Charlotte Whittle, will also give a recital at the community venue.
  • Award winning illustrator and calligrapher Jill Calder, whose work has featured in children’s picture books, huge hospital murals and global advertising campaigns, will be stage a Children’s Workshop at the Community Library.
  • Lower Largo’s harbour, next to its historic pier, will be the location for an open-air free concert for the community on Friday 22nd July, featuring a retro 80’s band.
  • Local bands Astral Suns, Longway, The Passing Stages and The Best Dressed Blues Band will be playing in a series of free gigs at the Upper Largo Hotel.

Full details can be found on the festival’s website, www.largoartsweek.com

Val McDermid opens CafeLife

Val McDermid has officially reopened the revamped CafeLife community cafe on Cheyne Street.  Dubbed the Queen of Crime, the author has sold over 17 million books to date across the globe and is translated into more than 40 languages. Val met with café customers and fans to sign copies of her books brought along on the day.   

CafeLife is run by renowned local charity LifeCare Edinburgh and all proceeds from café sales go towards the organisation’s vital care services for older people living across Edinburgh. 

Val said: “Every community should have a resource like CafeLife. We’re lucky to have it. The LifeCare centre, and all the vital services provided by the charity, help support serious issues such as isolation and loneliness.

“I’m proud to be supporting LifeCare in its important work.” 

The pandemic forced the café to close its doors to its loyal sit-in customers in March 2020.  The closure was a real loss to the area as CafeLife is the only fully-accessible community café around, offering good value food and drink appealing to all generations and with lots of space for buggies and wheelchairs.  

Opened nearly ten years ago, the team took the opportunity to upgrade the café through the covid-closure. The charity secured emergency funding to revamp CafeLife’s interiors and the kitchen team have spent time creating a new and improved menu to appeal to all tastes and dietary needs.  

CaféLife will be running a series of promotions throughout the coming months to celebrate the reopening and to welcome everyone back.  

For more information about LifeCare visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/  

And for Val McDermid visit https://www.valmcdermid.com/ 

Popular local community cafe reopens

LifeCare Edinburgh relaunches Stockbridge café with new menu, revamped interiors and guest appearance from celebrated local author Val McDermid

CafeLife, the popular community cafe on Cheyne Street, is set to officially reopen on Monday 9th May with a brand-new menu and revamped interiors following its forced closure through the pandemic.

Run by renowned local charity LifeCare Edinburgh, all proceeds from the cafe go towards supporting the delivery of the organisation’s vital care services for older people living across Edinburgh. 

The charity, which turned 80 last year, helps over 1,000 local older people a year.  Essential services such as registered outreach care and day centres, help at home, meals on wheels and support for carers enable local older people to remain living full and independent lives.   

The pandemic forced the café to close its doors to their loyal sit-in customers in March 2020.  The closure has been a real loss to the area as CafeLife is the only full-accessible community café around, offering good value food and drink appealing to all generations and with lots of space for buggies and wheelchairs.  

Opened nearly ten years ago, the team took the opportunity to upgrade the café through the covid-closure. The charity secured emergency funding to revamp CafeLife’s interiors and the kitchen team have spent time creating a new and improved menu to appeal to all tastes and dietary needs.  

The charity is today announcing that they will be joined by celebrated and best-selling Scottish crime writer Val McDermid for the official ribbon cutting event on Wednesday 11th May.  

Val will sign copies of any of her books brought along on the day.   

Jemima Hankins, Community Hub Co-ordinator at LifeCare said “We are absolutely delighted that we are reopening CafeLife at long last. There’s nothing else like us in the area and we know how much our regular customers have missed us.

“We’ve a huge bright space that appeals to all ages and stages; people pop in on their own or come with friends to enjoy good honest food and drink – with all proceeds going towards our vital care services for local people. We really are a cafe with a difference!


“Our loyal customers love to pop in to meet or make new friends, enjoy good value food and we’re relaunching with an exciting new menu designed by Chef Tony keeping our cafe staples such as soups, bacon rolls and paninis but we’ve added pancakes, smoothies and milkshakes. The blueberry pancakes are a must!   

“We are thrilled to be marking our reopening with a guest appearance from Val McDermid on Wednesday 11th May and we will be running lots of promotions across the week – check our socials for full details or pop-in for more info.”


LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and with no service fully-funded the organisation relies on the generosity of its funders.

Recent funding from the Scottish Government’s Adapt and Thrive fund covered the cost of the café upgrades and an award from The National Lottery Community Fund supports the new Community Hub Coordinator position created to help safely bring people back to the space after the pandemic.   

For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/