Bolt Hole

“My writing helped enormously, as did reading. I found it incredibly useful to go into another world and forget for a little while.

“I was also doing the copy edits for Wild Fire when Tim died and I couldn’t just curl up in a ball and hide away. Having something meticulous to do that didn’t need any imagination was just what I needed.”

Help with the scientific accuracy of her books comes from Scots friends, Aberdeen forensic pathologist James Grieve and Aberdeen forensic soil scientist Lorna Dawson, who has worked on serial killer cases. Although she’ll no longer be writing books based around her beloved Shetland, Scotland is still close to Ann’s heart.

So much so she has just bought a “bolt hole” right on the Scottish border.

“When you’re there you’re aware of the ‘debatable lands’ and the shifting border between Scotland and England where the Reivers used to come across,” adds Ann.

“I’m very fond of the Borders and just Scotland as a whole. And I just want to keep on writing. But I don’t plan my books and I certainly don’t plan my life.

“I tend to say yes if I can when I’m invited to do things. You’re only here once.”

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bolt-hole
British : a safe or restful place : a place where you can hide or escape from something that is dangerous or unpleasant.