Doctresses series #1
A Victorian tale of gender-bending, hidden identity, obsession and gruesome murder, set in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
875
Liz Moliette; a poor orphan of unknown heritage, and Amulya Patel; from a wealthy Indian family, are the only female students at the Edinburgh Medical School, where a hostile attitude towards women is driven by Professor Atticus. However, Liz and Amulya have allies in fellow student Campbell Preeble, The Reekie reporter Hector Findlay and the charming Dr Paul Love.
In dire need of funds, Liz becomes assistant to gruff lecturer and police surgeon Dr Florian Blyth. When a series of grisly murders take place the doctor and Liz help Inspector Macleod in his investigation, which leads to the Edinburgh Asylum, the Burry Man festival and the quack science of phrenology.
The search for the killer comes dangerously close to Liz as she uncovers her own family secrets.
Q&A
Do you always take a book/e-reader wherever you go?
On longer journeys I use an e-reader to go through rough drafts of work and a physical book for pleasure reading.
Say someone asks if they can use your name in a book. Would you rather be the ‘good one’ or the ‘bad one’?
The ‘bad one’.
Where can I find you when you are reading?
Travelling, relaxing at home, anywhere really.
Where can I find you when you are not writing/reading?
At home playing peekaboo with the cat, or on location filmmaking.
Can you walk past a bookstore without going inside?
Always tempted by the randomness of second-hand ones. I’ve also had art exhibitions at Waterstones.
What are you most proud of?
My latest feature film, comedy meta-horror Baobhan Sith.
What goes through your mind when you hold your new book in your hands for the first time?
I’m usually checking that the bleed is correct (as I’ve designed the covers for my books).
What piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Build up a network of fellow writers and give each other constructive feedback.
Who would you like/have liked to interview?
Val Lewton, a writer/producer in the 40’s, who made the original Cat People.
When and where do you prefer to write?
I’ve always got a notebook on me so anywhere really, though probably favourite place is when I’m camping and don’t have internet access to distract me.
Thank you, David Hutchison and Love Books Group
About the author
David Hutchison was brought up in the Scottish Highlands. He worked for many years as a fisherman, crofter, DJ and self-taught artist.
His children’s book Storm Hags was shortlisted for the Kelpie Prize. He’s had several short stories published in anthologies (New Writing Scotland, Read By Dawn) and on BBC radio. He is also a filmmaker. He wrote and directed the sci-fi feature Graders, and comedy/meta-horror Baobhan Sith.
He has just completed The Book of Skulls, a BAME and LBQT story of hidden identity and murder, inspired by Edinburgh’s murky medical history.
Last year he put on the exhibition Medical Inspirations, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Edinburgh Seven; the first group of women to matriculate at a British university.
He is currently working on Kore, a supernatural novel where a bank clerk is contacted through her new hearing aid by her dead girlfriend. He also teaches a class in scriptwriting and is hoping to do some online class in the autumn.
Author Link
Website: http://www.davidhutchison.co.uk/
Book Links
- Amazon.co.uk
- Amazon.com
- Draft2Digital
- Barnes & Noble
- Apple
- Kobo
- Scribd
- 24 Symbols
- Angus & Robertson
- Mondadori Store
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