Bloody Scotland 2019: Five events to catch

Bloody Scotland can always be relied upon to bring some of the stalwarts of crime to Stirling, and this year's line-up features the likes of Ian Rankin, Denise Mina and Louise Welsh, as well as some exciting newcomers. Also, 2019's line-up includes up-and-coming writer Richard Osman, think he was on Pointless or something like that? Ahead of this year's festival, we dive into the programme to pull some hidden gems for you to catch this weekend.

Two Crime Writers and a Microphone

Steve Cavanagh and Luca Veste are bringing their hilarious podcast to the Bloody Scotland stage, with a few special guests in tow. Join the duo and the stellar line-up of Chris Brookmyre, Abir Mukherjee, Helen FitzGerald, Mark Billingham, Caroline Kepnes and the aformentioned Osman for a fun Friday night. 20 Sep, 10pm, Albert Halls, tickets

The India Connection 

In past years, Bloody Scotland joined forces with Harvill Secker to find a new crime writing talent from a BAME background, and the prize's inaugural winner, Ajay Chowdhury, joins the festival to discuss his debut novel. Chowdhury is joined by international sensation Abir Mukherjee, and Trisha Sakhlecha, discussing her forthcoming debut novel Your Truth or Mine. 21 Sep, 6.30pm, Allan Park South Church, tickets

Trading Places 

Who doesn't like shaking things up a little? A trio of brilliant crime writers have all switched things up for their latest books, whether Gordon Brown flitting from Glasgow to Los Angeles, MJ Cross moving from the USA to the UK, or Steph Broadribb trading in her popular blog for her next book. Change is in the air. 21 Sep, 8pm, Allan Park South Church, tickets 

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir interviewed by Sally Magnusson

Iceland is a thrilling hub of crime literature, so what better way to celebrate than be bringing a leading voice of Icelandic Noir to Stirling? Yrsa Sigurðardóttir's latest novel, her ninth in English, The Absolution follows the murder of a teen where the police find out the same way everyone else does – Snapchat. Contemporary and as always enthralling, this is one not to miss. 22 Sep, 4pm, Albert Halls, tickets

Gothic Institutions

There's a renewed interest in gothic writing in Scotland, and this is a celebration of where gothic and crime intersect. Dark, sinister, atmospheric – it's easy to see why the genre is so appealing. Oscar de Muriel's newest book explores a 19th century seance for some of Edinburgh's richest families, which doesn't end particularly well. Craig Russell takes readers into the minds of six inhabitants of a Czech asylum, and ES Thomson returns to Surgeon's Hall, the latest in her Jem Flockhart series. 22 Sep, 4pm, Golden Lion Hotel Ballroom, tickets 

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Bloody Scotland takes place in various venues across Stirling, 20-22 September