Mairi Kidd – The Specimens
WithMairi Kidd
In conversation withMarisa Haetzman
On:4th October 2024, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
We're so excited to be hosting the launch of Portobello-based writer Mairi Kidd's brand new novel, The Specimens, in the bookshop as part of this year's Portobello Book Festival! On the night, Kidd will be in conversation with Dr Marisa Haetzman, one half of the writing duo Ambrose Parry.
As this is a Portobello Book Festival event, free tickets are available exclusively from Portobello Library. For more information about the annual festival, visit their website here.
This event will take place in the bookshop with an in-person audience. There will be a signing after the event.
About The Specimens:
Inside the grand walls of Edinburgh's nineteenth-century scientific institutions, anatomists began to map the secrets of the human body in order to discover new medical innovations.
But to the horror of the local population, a shortage of bodies soon led to the gruesome act of graveyard bodysnatching, a heartless crime that would soon spread like a disease throughout the city. And when stealing cadavers turns to murder, Burke & Hare became two of the most notorious serial killers of their time.
This is the story of those grim events, told for the first time through the eyes of Susan and Helen (Nelly), two women caught up in those horrific matters.
Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.
Participants:
Mairi Kidd Author
Mairi Kidd heads Moat Brae, the Birthplace of Peter Pan and Scotland's National Centre for Children's Books. She was formerly MD of Barrington Stoke, a children's publishing house working to open up the written word to children and young people with dyslexia, CEO of Seven Stories the National Centre for Children's Books and Head of Literature at Creative Scotland. Mairi is the author of We are All Witches, Warriors and Witches and Damn Rebel Bitches and Feisty and Fiery and Fierce, as well as Strong Brave True, Scottish Fairytales, Myths and Legends and a number of books in Gaelic for young readers including Uilleam Againne - the Gaelic translation of Oor Wullie! Mairi lives in Portobello with her husband Tom, an illustrator, and their very handsome cat.
Marisa Haetzman Chair
Marisa Haetzman worked as a consultant anaesthetist, her career taking her to London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow before stepping down to study for a Masters degree in the History of Medicine. Her dissertation research into the early use of chloroform led to her collaborating with Chris Brookmyre, under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry, to write crime fiction set in the world of Nineteenth Century Edinburgh medicine. The couple’s first three novels were all shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize, with A Corruption of Blood also shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger. Marisa Haetzman has also collaborated in adapting both the Ambrose Parry novels and Chris Brookmyre’s The Cut for television.
The venue
The Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA
Telephone: 0131 629 6756
Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com
Wheelchair Access
We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.
Sound
We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.