21 h. ago ‘It’s more than a pretty backdrop’: crime writer Ann Cleeves on the magic of Orkney in Scotland

With her latest book, the author moves detective Jimmy Perez from Shetland to Orkney, where she was inspired by the deep history, huge skies and warm peopleFifty years ago, I headed north for the first time. I’d dropped out of my university literature course – with the arrogance of youth, I thought I could read books anywhere. After a chance meeting in a Putney pub, I got a job as assistant cook in the Bird Observatory in Fair Isle. At that point, I didn’t even know where Fair Isle was. I came from Devon and hadn’t made it farther north than Durham. Scotland was unknown territory.Of course, Fair Isle is part of the Shetland group and lies halfway between Shetland mainland and Orkney. That summer, I fell in love with the Northern Isles, with the romance of the isolation, the bleak beauty and the stories. Over the summer, I worked in the observatory with Alison, an Orcadian lass, who was there for her college holidays. “When you’ve finished your contract,” she said with the easy hospi...

Events

4 d. ago BBC Breakfast interrupted as star makes major announcement live on air

Shetland author Ann Cleeves has shared a major announcement about Jimmy Perez's return

Society

4 d. ago Shetland creator opens up on Jimmy Perez return in major announcement

Author Ann Cleeves appeared on Friday's BBC Breakfast to chat with Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt

Politics

7 d. ago Distinguished Mail writer and author Shaun Usher dies at 88 

Former Daily Mail writer Shaun Usher, who later found success as a prolific writer of crime fiction, has died aged 88.

Events

1 week ago House of Guinness review – James Norton’s pheromones positively sizzle off the screen

With smarts, heart and serious sex appeal, this fine drama from Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight is an irresistible romp – like Succession, only over a booze empire. Knight has never made a better show than thisYou may judge a show’s success by the number of imitators that follow: to see how much TV commissioners envied the popularity of Slow Horses, look at the recent uptick in wry dramas about spies and/or shambling outcasts who work in a grotty basement but get the job done. Another show with that status is Peaky Blinders, writer Steven Knight’s swaggering epic about a (real) Birmingham crime gang between the wars.What’s unusual about the post-Blinders shows is that the author of the towering original has tended to write the pretenders to the throne himself: Knight sought to develop the formula earlier this year with A Thousand Blows, a series about a different historical crime gang, and with his new Netflix show House of Guinness, he seems to be mining the same seam. The family her...

Politics

1 week ago Adolescence writer's 'explosive' true crime David Tennant drama begins tonight

The Hack is set to premiere on ITV and ITVX this evening and will delve into the final days of the News of the World.

Events

3 w. ago Mansion where legendary crime writer wrote their first murder mystery novel hits the market for £10million

The elegant seven-bedroom townhouse (pictured) on St George's Square in the upmarket Pimlico area of London was once the home of a homegrown literary talent.

Economics

3 w. ago Scots Crime writer Chris Brookmyre's son Jack makes it as a comedian

Rising comedy star Jack Brookmyre has admitted it can be a good ice-breaker if people know who his dad is.

Events

3 w. ago Firefinch signs the Stoke Rising series from crime writer Kate London

Firefinch signs the Stoke Rising series from crime writer Kate London  The Bookseller

Events

3 w. ago Artists receive grants to create projects showcasing work for new audiences

A magician and a crime fiction writer are among those to benefit.

Events