CHRIS Brookmyre might have written dozens of great Scottish crime novels, but that’s not to say there’s nothing that can't offer him a challenge anymore.
He admits himself that his latest book, The Cracked Mirror, is probably the hardest he's found it to write something.
“It was almost like writing two different novels at times,” the Scottish author told The National.
His latest book tells two stories – that of little old lady Penny Coyne and the hard-bitten Los Angeles detective Johnny Hawke who come together to solve a mystery.
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“On one level, it was one of the hardest things to write because conceptually it was so complex,” Brookmyre said.
“I’ll often write from different points of view but the tone and the feel will be consistent whereas with this it was supposed to evoke two sub-genres of crime fiction.
“It was a lot of work to get those to feel authentic but individually writing them was a lot of fun but the best part was when they collide and bringing them together. It’s a classic mismatched story.”
It’s not due out till the middle of July but The Cracked Mirror has already found success after being longlisted for the McIlvanney prize at this year’s Bloody Scotland.
Brookmyre is particularly pleased to be listed alongside the best crime-writing talent going including Val McDermid (below) and Abir Mukherjee.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be longlisted and shortlisted many times but this year looks particularly good,” he said.
“It shows Scottish crime fiction is in robust health. There’s a diversity of sub-genres, tones and geographical locations.”
What makes it even more pleasing though is that this is all the product of the pressure that comes when authors know they have a great idea and feel they have to make the most of it when it comes to the writing process.
Brookmyre said: “I think if I had to pick one book that was the hardest to write it would be this one. At the time of writing, it certainly felt like quite the undertaking.
“It’s conceptually ambitious and I was keeping a few plates spinning. It was a balance between having a sense of what I might achieve, which puts pressure on you if you think it’s a great idea, so bringing it all together felt arduous at times.”
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That’s not to say the author didn’t enjoy the work, and he says he thinks it’s the product of 25 years of experience to be able to pull it off.
“I don’t think anybody sits down and thinks ‘I need a punishing new challenge’,” he says, laughing.
“It always starts with an idea and as you execute it that’s when you find out how hard it’s going to be.
“What I would say is that people often talk about the tone and style of my writing as I’ve become more mature, but I think this has the playfulness and fun they had 20 years ago.
“I couldn’t have written this back then, it’s taken 25 years’ worth of experience to do this.”
With the book now set to release, Brookmyre can sit back and relax and this particular world he’s created is certainly one he plans to leave behind.
Asked if he think he might like to pursue something similarly complex, Brookmyre said: “I haven’t thought about it at all to be honest.
“I did leave the door open but I do remember my wife telling I wasn’t writing a sequel. I’ll certainly be giving it a wee while anyway.”
The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre is published by Sphere (£18.99). The winner of the McIlvanney Prize will be revealed at the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival in Stirling on Friday 13 September.
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