Interview with Caro Ramsay

TWO women are dead, their mutilated bodies laid with arms outstretched. DCI Alan McAlpine has been drafted in to lead the hunt for a man the press are calling ‘the Crucifixion Killer’. But a 20-year-old secret is lurking in the background, waiting to haunt his career and change his life forever.

So goes the storyline of Absolution by first-time author Caro Ramsay, a Scot who is already being described as the 'New Rankin'.

BooksfromScotland.com asked Edinburgh writer and journalist, Tony Black to speak to Ramsay, a 38-year-old osteopath living on the west coast of Scotland about her first foray into the literary world.

Tony Black: Can you give an outline of the book?

Caro Ramsay: Too complicated. A tale of obsessional love with a serial killer dodging around in the background!

Were you surprised at the positive reaction of agents/editors to your first attempt at writing?

Surprised isn’t the word for it. Shocked, stunned, horrified and very scared.

You've already had a lot of media attention, do you think that - so early in your career - it puts you under pressure?

It could do but a good agent is like your mum. A good editor is like your favourite auntie. They look after you. Equally if I ever got above myself, they would soon let me know!

The press have described you as teetotal, with a 'Buddhist approach to life' - not traits usually associated with a crime writer, are they?

Mmmm, I see what you are getting at but everything comes to he who waits and what goes around comes around… I like that idea! And I like to write about heroes and villains who are just on the opposite side of a very fine line… and think… well that could have been me.

The media have also latched on to the 'New Rankin' tag - have you discussed that with him?

I did run him home from the [Johnstone] writers group once in my old jag and a reporter translated that as ‘knowing him well’. We talked about old Jags and when we meet again, we’ll probably catch up on ignition delays and the problems of a rusty chassis!

Do you still go to the Johnstone Writers' Group?

Yes I still go, they are a right bunch of loonies but great fun. I owe them so much. I went to another group and was told to come to Johnstone as the class of criticism was better. A strange cross fertilisation of thoughts, ideas and creativity happens… then we go to the pub and fight over who gets the most meringues with their latte.

As well as working as an osteopath, you treat injured wildlife, including fox whispering - what does that involve?

I have a great regard for animals - and do a fair bit of badger and fox whispering - I have treated many injured animals in extreme pain - and have never been hurt. I was once called out to see a bull with a sore back. I’m 5’ 7” and couldn’t see over his shoulders! He was huge and in a lot of pain.

With my quiet whispering, he allowed me to examine him, he was calm and polite.

My colleague approached (18 stone) - the bull took a side step into him, and my colleague flew across the room and ended up with two fractured ribs.

It’s a matter of being calm and taking charge of an unpredictable situation - making the victim feel secure - and that’s good training for any detective.

The bull was fine and soon able to go out and chat up the cows. My colleague was off work for 8 weeks.

How's the follow-up book going? What's it called, can you give a plot outline?

I am taking a break from my end of July deadline, despite a tour down south in between, to type this on the 12th. How is that for pressure? Tambourine Girl [the follow-up novel], there’s a snippet of in the end of Absolution. Missing children, blackmail, death, unrequited love… all in a day's work.

Any plans to give up the day job?

No, it keeps me grounded and writing is a lonely job. I would like more days in the week though. My staff are very supportive and change shifts to let me away to do ‘stuff’ in exchange for appearances as a minor celeb to fund-raise for XYZ which I am happy to do.

• Absolution, by Caro Ramsay is out now, published by Michael Joseph and priced at £12.99.