Val McDermid

The Queen of Crime Val McDermid joins Fiona Lindsay in session to discuss 1979, the unmissable first thriller in her electrifying brand-new series. A Sunday Times Bestseller, this atmospheric heart-pounding novel is Val McDermid's 35th novel and the start of her first new series in almost twenty years.

1979. It is the winter of discontent and ambitious young journalist Allie Burns is on the hunt for the story that will change her career. The only woman working the Glasgow newsdesk, she needs a ground-breaking scoop for the boy's club to take her seriously. Soon Allie and fellow journalist Danny Sullivan are exposing the criminal underbelly of respectable Scotland. They risk making powerful enemies – and Allie won’t stop there. After all, she is a woman in a man's world and nobody can be trusted.

Offering an exclusive insight into the world of 1979, Val takes Fiona on location to Fife, the hometown of protagonist Allie Burns, which has provided a wealth of inspiration for her new thriller.  The live discussion will delve into what has moved Val to write her new series, will introduce us to Allie whose career will be plotted over five books, each set a decade apart, and she will read some of her favourite passages from the book aloud.  There will also be an opportunity to ask Val your questions about her incredible career, her creative processes, and her advice on what makes a truly gripping thriller.

A multi-award winning and number one bestselling author, who has sold over 17 million copies worldwide, Val’s incredible storytelling has gained fans all over the world.  Her remarkable writing spans stage, radio, and screen as well as books with a second series of Traces for BBC One and an ITV adaptation of the new drama Karen Pirie, based on Val’s eponymous series character, going into production later this year.   She is also lead singer of the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, possibly the only band made up of crime writers ever to play at Glastonbury.

Fiona Lindsay creates, curates, and presents unique entertainment content for theatres, broadcast, digital and film. Recent original work for BBC Radio 4 includes Pick of the Week shows, In the Studio, The Half with Steve Davis and Craige Els, Creative Forces with Dawn French and Juliet Stevenson, Breaking Bard, Dexter and Dodd with Ken Dodd and Colin Dexter and Theatre Lives for Digital Theatre with Julie Walters, Adrian Lester, Michael Grandage, Imelda Staunton and Juliet Stevenson.  

She has hosted some of the country’s leading performers and entertainers in conversation events. With a specialism in theatre and entertainment Fiona works across a variety of forms and with an eclectic mix of guests. She is a talented performer, interviewer and writer who demonstrates a rare mix of charm and gentle provocation.