A novel idea - writing a brand new thriller at 125 mph

Lumo, the UK’s leading open access rail operator, welcomed three authors from Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival onboard today to write a brand-new thriller live at 125mph. 

Gordon Brown (AKA Morgan Cry), Douglas Skelton and Natalie Jayne Clark boarded the 09:24 Lumo service from Edinburgh to London King’s Cross, where they took turns to craft an original short story inspired by the East Coast Main Line, the characters they met onboard, and suggestions from online crime fans. 

The authors also hosted a high-speed book signing during the journey before returning to Edinburgh the same evening to continue the collaborative tale. The finished story will be released in written and audiobook form for Lumo customers to enjoy in the coming weeks. 

Bloody Scotland board member and author Gordon Brown, said: “It’s amazing how many ideas come to you when you’re in a real-world travel environment. You experience and hear things first hand that can spark inspiration, and then your creative mind takes over. To work alongside the other authors was a real honour, and I hope some of the customers we met today might join us at Bloody Scotland this weekend.” 

Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, said: “At Lumo we’re all about creating memorable journeys, so what better way than to have three of the UK’s top crime writers dream up a brand-new thriller live on board? Our partnership with Bloody Scotland is about celebrating creativity and connecting communities, and today our customers got to be part of a story that started at 125 miles an hour on the East Coast Main Line.” 

All three authors are appearing at this year’s Bloody Scotland, Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival, which takes place in Stirling from 12–14 September. Lumo is a proud partner of the event and will soon launch direct services between London Euston and Stirling, strengthening its commitment to connecting Scotland and beyond. 

Bob McDevitt, Director of Bloody Scotland said: “We’re always on the lookout for something new to do at the festival and can’t wait to see how this high speed crime story turns out - will the authors stay on the right track or will they go off the rails?!” 

What is Bloody Scotland?

Bloody Scotland is Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival, providing a showcase for the best crime writing from Scotland and the world, unique in that it was set up by a group of Scottish crime writers – Lin Anderson, Alex Gray, Craig Robertson and Gordon Brown - in 2012. Full information at bloodyscotland.com  

The festival takes place in various venues (including The Albert Halls, Trinity Church and the social hub of the festival, The Golden Lion Hotel) in Stirling. The Golden Lion has a lift from the carpark at the rear of the building and both the Albert Halls and Trinity Church are fully accessible. BSL interpretation is available on request.  

Looking for more Scottish book inspiration?

Then look no further than Bloody Scotland by Lin Anderson, Chris Brookmyre, Gordon Brown, Ann Cleeves, Doug Johnstone, Stuart MacBride, Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Craig Rob. Twelve crime authors, twelve locations within Scotland, and twelve twisty compelling stories of murder and mayhem. We wonder where these were written?

And of course you should also check out these collections too.

For St Andrew's Day we celebrate 50 years of Publishing Scotland with these 50 books by Scottish authors.

And 60+ Blooming Brilliant Books by Scottish Novelists That’ll Have You Singing Their Praises from Arthur’s Seat to the Outermost Isles of Scotland.

#BloodyScotland