Val McDermid and Jo Sharp: A Couple's Journey into Collaborative Novel Writing
Val McDermid, the renowned crime writer, and Jo Sharp, Scotland's inaugural female Geographer Royal, had a longstanding practice of keeping their professional lives distinct. However, a serendipitous discovery concerning a ill-fated 17th-century expedition prompted them to embark on a joint writing project. Their spacious, contemporary residence on the outskirts of Edinburgh, where they reside together, is enveloped by verdant landscapes and appears deliberately designed to accommodate the independent thought processes of two accomplished individuals. Both women have achieved significant success in their respective domains, forming a formidable Scottish partnership: the "Queen of Crime" and the Scottish Geographer Royal. Fortunately for them, their work rarely intersects.
Fresh materials — Society news
Review: "Portrait of a City" Captures the American Urban Experience
The Dulwich Picture Gallery presents "Portrait of a City," an exhibition that delves into the evolution of the American urban landscape and the development of photographic language through the works of seminal 20th-century photographers. This is only the second photography exhibition in the gal
Douglas Stuart and Marlon James Lead Booker Prize Longlist
The 2026 Booker Prize longlist has been unveiled, featuring a compelling selection of 13 novels that the chair of judges, Mary Beard, described as taking readers to "new places." This year's list notably includes previous winners Douglas Stuart and Marlon James, as well as three-time nominee E
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review - Zendaya Shines in Tom Holland's Evolving Superhero Saga
Tom Holland returns as the troubled webslinger in a new chapter that is sometimes surprising and occasionally drags. At 30 years old, Holland, who recently portrayed Telemachus in Christopher Nolan's "Odyssey," stating it was his "last chance to play a boy," is back as the supposedly awkward a
Booker Prize Longlist: A Mix of Familiar Brilliance and Bold Experiments
The Booker Prize longlist this year presents a compelling lineup, featuring two previous winners alongside a fresh wave of diverse voices and ambitious narratives. Marlon James, the acclaimed author of "A Brief History of Seven Killings," makes a powerful return with "The Disappearers," a poly
'Topless modelling never aligned with me': inside Everyone’s Seen My Tits, the play by a former page 3 model
As she brings her memoir to the Edinburgh festival, Keeley Hazell talks about trauma, exploitation, the hollowness of the high life – and her new career as a writer on Ted Lasso. In the mid-2000s, it felt as though "everyone" had seen Keeley Hazell topless. Page 3 was a prominent feature
From Gary Lineker's Revenge to the Bizarre Tale of a Missing Cat: The Best Viral TV Moments of the World Cup
Beyond the thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes on the field, the World Cup has delivered a treasure trove of viral television moments. From a pranked England manager and a seemingly bored David Beckham to an impressive Viking-themed fan presence and a notable wager by Wayne Rooney, the world