The River Runs Red

Launched in September 2019 at The Watermill in Aberfeldy, 'The River Runs Red' is a true crime compendium featuring 19 grisly tales covering everything from whiskey smuggling to cold-blooded murder.  The volume, written by Mark Bridgeman from Aberfeldy, will make fascinating reading for Perthshire residents as the crimes happened in places like Pitlochry, Killiecrankie, Dunkeld, Kenmore, and Aberfeldy itself.

Although this is Mark's first book (he's better known as a cricket coach in Perthshire Schools), he has pedigree.  His father Brian Bridgeman was a writer and historian of some renown, particularly in Swindon where Mark is originally from.

Mark has toyed with the idea of a true-crime book for quite some time, he finally bit the bullet a couple of years ago, holing himself up in the A.K. Bell Library archives to begin his research.  He immersed himself in newspaper clippings and internet articles searching for the quirkiest and most chilling crimes to thrill his readers.  Only when his manuscript was complete did he approach Kevin Ramage of The Although 'The River Runs Red' is a work of non-fiction Mark worked hard on the prose to give it an authentic 'Penny Dreadful' vibe. Watermill, who loved it and agreed to publish it.  

Although 'The River Runs Red' is a work of non-fiction, Mark worked hard on the prose to give it an authentic 'Penny Dreadful' vibe.  This is further enhanced by 23 beautiful, vibrant illustrations by Elaine Dunsmore that help to bring the misdeeds contained within the pages of 'The River Runs Red' to gory life.

Who are your biggest influences as a writer?

As far as The River Runs Red, I’ve chosen a deliberate style to write the stories in. I wanted to recreate the short, serialised crime stories that were so popular in Victorian and Edwardian times. The so-called 'Gaslight Crime'.  So, where possible, I’ve tried to follow the format and style of the original Sherlock Holmes short stories, Edgar Allan Poe’s 'Dupin', or the Dick Donovan stories from Glasgow, that sort of thing.

All the tales in the book are true stories but I’ve tried to take the reader back to the period, by recreating the style of the writers I’ve mentioned. It’s all about feeling as if the stories were written 100, or so, years ago, and not contemporary reports of past events.

What was the impetus behind starting to write the book and how did you go about getting it published?

I’ve lived in Highland Perthshire for 16 years and the local history here is so colourful and rich. True crime has always fascinated me, so matching the two made a lot of sense. I’ve been researching the book for over two years, but I didn’t approach the local publishers, Watermill Books until I had a nearly completed manuscript. Fortunately, they loved the idea and have been very helpful. 

A lot of the crimes in your book happen in the countryside, do you think rural crimes are often overlooked in true crime and crime fiction?

That’s an interesting question because I’ve really tried to create a book that provides a valuable insight into people’s lives in this area over the past 150 years, as opposed to it just being about crime. Many of the stories in the book happened because of the unique, rural nature of the area. I think that really appealed to me. One of the reasons for writing the book was the fact that there hasn’t been a publication like this before. Many of the stories here have been overlooked, probably because of the more 'fashionable' nature of crimes in places like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London.

Your dad was also a writer and historian, do you have any memories of that aspect of him growing up?

My dad retired from work early, due to ill health, and spent the last years of his life indulging his passion for history. Especially local history. This enabled him to write seven or eight books before he passed away. To be honest, I didn’t actually realise at the time just how much work and research went into what he did. I definitely do now!

The book is illustrated by local artist Elaine Dunsmore what drew you to her work?

I had a strong idea of how I wanted the book to look and feel. Essentially it’s a book of true stories that read as if they’re fiction. So I was lucky that Kevin and Jayne Ramage, my publishers, recommended Elaine who they thought could bring my vision to life. The Victorian short stories that influence me were always embellished with illustrations.

Can you give us a wee taster by telling us a little bit about one of the crimes in your book?

There are so many good stories, I don’t know which one to pick! Probably my favourite tales are the ones in which I’ve been able to add extra information that wasn’t known at the time. There is one story about an especially vicious and grisly murder in Grandtully. I’ve been able to add some particularly gruesome details and background to the story, which weren’t known to the jury or the I’m working on an expanding version of one of the stories in the book, with a view to possibly developing it into a screenplay or TV script.judge at the time. It adds a whole new level to the story. 

Have you any plans for a sequel or perhaps for a novel?

Early reaction to the book has been so positive that I’ve already started working on a second volume. I have some amazing stories lined up and I’m hoping that part two will be even bigger and better!

As well as the second volume of The River Runs Red, I’m working on an expanding version of one of the stories in the book, with a view to possibly developing it into a screenplay or TV script.

Actress Anna Hepburn is going to be doing a reading at the book launch how did that come about?

We’re lucky enough to have actress Anna Hepburn reading at the book launch. She lives locally and was approached by The Watermill. Luckily for us, she was happy to help. Anna, who has appeared in shows like Monarch of the Glen and Taggart, will really add something to the stories. 

The River Run's Red is available at aberfeldywatermill.com/shop, Waterstones and Amazon.