Novelisation doesn't imply the truth. Readers are sophisticated enough to know that.

I just got an honorary degree from Glasgow University, and I had to wear around very painful shoes so that I didn't laugh all the way through the ceremony because I felt like an outlaw.

There's a real emphasis on being witty in Scotland, even in crime novels.

Most of the people who write to me are really clever, really engaged. They just want to say that they have read my book and liked it.

A man who thinks he has a higher purpose can do terrible things, even to those he professes to love.

I always wanted to work at Take A Break magazine, you know, just to inject a little bit of politics into their stories. I applied for a job there after I'd done my law degree and didn't even get an interview. I only wrote Garnethill because I didn't get that job!

I grew up in London under Thatcher and that really was disgusting. A feeding frenzy.