How To Get Away With Murder: A Night with Marion Todd

The evening of Wednesday 5 February called St Andrews crime fiction aficionados into attendance of local favourite author Marion Todd.  The event showcased the release of Todd’s ninth novel Dead Man’s Shoes in her acclaimed DI Claire MacKay crime series. 

Swapping the tall stacks of their Greyfriars Garden residence for the taller ceilings of St Andrews Episcopal Church, another local favourite – Topping & Company Booksellers – played host to Todd.

A Dundee native and descendant of the cultural classic ‘tartan noir’ sub-genre and determined to enter St Andrews into the canon, Marion Todd has carved out a fan base for her prolific St Andrews-based procedurals. That fan base was evidenced by the busy pews eagerly awaiting an update on the latest case. Also increasingly evident was the older demographic of Todd’s readership. I’m no statistician, but I’d be willing to bet I lowered the average age of the group by approximately 30 years. 

Upon entry, readers were swiftly greeted by the equally eager Topping’s staff, a complimentary glass of wine, and a meticulously stocked catalogue of Todd’s bibliography available for purchase (discounted with a ticket for the event of course). 

Todd took to the podium to introduce herself and the latest installment in the world of DI Claire Mackay. Hailing from across the Tay herself, Todd is clearly familiar with the East Fife locale, explaining that gothic cathedral ruins, centuries of history, and the truly terrifying number of students living on Lamond Drive alone drew her to St Andrews as the perfect backdrop for her tales of the criminal underworld. 

Throughout her 45 minute set, one couldn’t help begin to fear for the state of Todd’s browser history as she detailed her research from tide-tables to ballistics.  Todd then went on to offer a few slightly-too-well-planned-for-comfort theories on getting away with murder in St Andrews that had her audience clutching their knitting needles — literally. If we were ever in danger of taking her too seriously on this, Todd’s friendly Dundonian brogue and good humoured delivery prevented the audience from ever squirming too far back into their seats. 

Perhaps the worst crime revealed on the blustery night did not spring from Todd’s realm of Market Street murders and seaside abductions, but even scarier was the state of the modern publishing world revealed through Todd’s personal anecdotes. Todd described the tribulations of derogatory reviews, shockingly frequent unpaid promotional writing, and the minefield of social media — the latter taking up a good chunk of time. Whilst Todd’s clear desire to remain as uncontroversial as possible when acting as her own social media marketer is incredibly understandable, I might recommend that the ten minute review of various biscuit brands in the midst of the event may just be playing it a tad too safe.

In addition, Todd revealed the acquisition of her publisher — the previously independent Canelo Publishing — by bigger publishing house DK, leaving the future all the more uncertain. 

Despite all this, Todd reminded her audience that the struggles of writing do not come without good company. The name dropping of literary panels with Mark Billingham and quiz shows with James J. McIntyre was a welcome reminder of the tightly-knit crime fiction scene in the UK. A thriving network that is fostered by festivals such as Bloody Scotland, Bute Noir, and Harrogate. 

If you’re feeling inspired to support the authors you care about, you can look no further than St Andrews own Topping & Company. I urge you — before planning your next, perfectly average night out  — broaden your horizons, and check out the recent line up at Topping & Company. I doubt you'll be disappointed. 

Todd ended the night with a time slot for audience questions that allotted slightly more time than there were questions to fill it, ending the night on a mildly awkward pause. Before retiring the microphone, Todd concluded with a few words in response to a question on her favourite literary festival: “It’s just a nice way to see friends.” Looking across pews filled with loyal readers with multiple signed copies, close friends of Todd, and newcomers like myself who had been welcomed warmly, I couldn’t help but agree.

Photo by Julia Gerken