Forensic pathologist among two new names added to Noir line-up

TWO more headline names have been announced for next summer’s Shetland Noir event.

Forensic pathologist Dr James Grieve and historical crime fiction writer Shona Maclean will be joining the line-up.

The event, taking place on 15-18 June, will include crime literature as well as elements of music, live performances and other ‘noir’ related content.

Dr James Grieve is a senior lecturer in forensic Medicine at the University of Aberdeen and retired police forensic pathologist for the North East and Grampian area, where his patch included Shetland.

He has carried out numerous post-mortem investigations including sudden unexpected natural events, suicides, homicides and accidents.

Dr Grieve has provided his expertise in very profile cases including Malcolm Webster, Nat Fraser and the Super Puma crashes.

With a background in historical research, Shona Maclean moved to writing historical crime fiction.

She has published seven novels over two series – one set mainly in 17th century Scotland, the other in the 1650s London of Oliver Cromwell – under the name S. G. MacLean.

Maclean’s work has been longlisted for the Desmond Elliott award and the Dagger in the Library, shortlisted for the Saltire First Book Award, and won the CWA Historical Dagger.

Curator Ann Cleeves – creator of Jimmy Perez, Vera Stanhope and Matthew Venn – and local mystery author Marsali Taylor have pulled together the festival’s line-up.

The first three headline guests already announced are ‘Queen of Crime’ Val McDermid, 2020 Edgar Allan Poe Award winner Elly Griffiths and the longest serving chair of the UK’s Crime Writers Association, Martin Edwards.

One final guest headliner is still to be announced.

Alongside the guest writer events will be plenty of panel sessions, workshops and Shetland-themed events and outings, all taking place in the height of the simmer dim.

A limited number of early bird Noir cards (£70) are on sale now, with full price tickets/passes starting from 1 January.