Scottish journalist, Anna Smith, gets a glowing review of her new book – from columnist, Lorraine Kelly, in today’s Sunday Post.
Writes Kelly: “’The Dead Won’t Sleep’ is a cracking crime thriller telling the story of tabloid journalist, Rosie Gilmour, unearthing corruption, greed and murder.
“Every single word rings true and, it is so cinematic, I’d be amazed if movie and TV companies aren’t falling over themselves to get it on the large or small screen. I’m glad to hear that this is the first in a series of books about [main character] Rosie [Gilmour] and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one.”
Smith is a former chief reporter at the Daily Record and writes a column for the Scottish News of the World.
Adds regular allmediascotland.com columnist, Bill Heaney: “It was the book launch to die for, on Thursday evening, one that most authors and their PR handlers can only dream about. The guests were a Who’s Who of Scottish journalism and they squeezed in between the bookshelves in Waterstone's Glasgow Sauchiehall Street store to toast the launch of Anna Smith’s new novel, The Dead Won’t Sleep.
“Smith was brought up in Chapelhall and started her journalistic career on her local newspaper, the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, where she quickly made a name for herself.
“The launch and book signing session was packed and familiar faces included lots from the Daily Record, including former managing editor Malcolm Speed, now retired chief reporter; Gordon Airs, former night editor; Charlie Duncan, ex-Scotsman news editor; Gordon Hay; David Scott, of BBC Scotland and the Express; and Ramsay Smith, an ex-Record, Daily Mail and Mirror man who is now a director of Media House in Scotland.
“There is a front cover endorsement on the book from Lorraine Kelly, who started her own career in local newspapers in Lanarkshire. She writes: 'I had to read the whole thing from start to finish in one sitting.'
“Anna is now an internationally-acclaimed writer who divides her time between her homes in Scotland and the West of Ireland.
“She secretes herself away in a lovely but lonely cottage in Co Kerry where she enjoys the peace of the place and the friendliness of the people which she draws on for inspiration and encouragement to write her books.
“Anna’s style of writing as a journalist won her many awards, and she has infused that gritty prose style into her fiction, bringing alive the exciting places, gripping situations and colourful characters in her books.
“Smith has covered wars across the world as well as major crime investigations and cutting-edge news stories. The Dead Won't Sleep, she says, is the first in a series of thrillers she is crafting – featuring journalist, Rosie Gilmour.
“Her debut novel, Spit Against The Wind, received huge critical acclaim, and one leading newspaper described Smith as ‘a powerful new voice in Scottish fiction'.
“And as the huge audience of friends and former colleagues lined up to have copies of the book signed, she said: ‘It’s wonderful to see everyone. This is not just a book launch, it’s a reunion, and it’s so nice to see so many familiar, friendly faces.'”
