Louise Fairbairn
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scarletrix.bsky.social
Louise Fairbairn
@scarletrix.bsky.social
...sometimes you wake up. sometimes the fall kills you. and sometimes when you fall you fly...

www.crimebookgirl.com
I have a certificate for 100wpm shorthand with 100% accuracy

I've been a sub-editor all my career...
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?

Summer of '95 I had a job assembling single-use film cameras, which I did enough that I can still perform the actions. I don't think they even sell them anymore, but even if they do I'm certainly never going to be making them again!
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?

In the summer of ‘88, I had a job where I installed cell phones into cars. No one has needed that skill in over 30 years.
December 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Oh, grab this one folks! History, crime and possibly the most intriguing murder method ever...

#BookSky 📚💙
Apols everyone but there is a Time Limited Deal on Amazon for LOVE AND OTHER POISONS which I'm obliged to pass on *sales not my natural talent*
December 8, 2025 at 3:22 PM
@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social
Pleasingly speedy!

I played squaredle.com 12/08:
28/28 words (+7 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 21% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 59
Squaredle
Squaredle is a daily word building game. Swipe letters in the grid to test your vocabulary every day and rise to the top of the leaderboards!
squaredle.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
There's some absolute belters from Scotland on the Magnum website (Google "Martin Parr Scotland"). Both beautiful (Gourock Lido with storm clouds above) and hilarious (a guy flat out on the ground a step from the door of a pub). A loss, but also a wonderful legacy.
December 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Made tablet for Xmas gifting...
December 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social so many words in such a small grid!

I played squaredle.com 12/06:
42/42 words (+9 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 19% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 57
Squaredle
Squaredle is a daily word building game. Swipe letters in the grid to test your vocabulary every day and rise to the top of the leaderboards!
squaredle.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Great piece by Dani. Without immigration, Scotland would be in an event worse economic position due to the death rate being higher than the birth rate - without young people working, who will pay the tax that pays the pensions, fund public services etc?
December 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Some lovely editions of classic Christmas stories in here, among all the noir goodies, if you need a little something for someone (or be like me and buy them for yourself)

#BookSky 📚💙
December 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
😂
This cartoon and two others are available now as prints here: www.guardianprintshop.com/pages/tom-gaulds-best-cultural-cartoons-of-2025
December 5, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I'm on track to read 130-140 books this year, but I am a hermit with minimal social life and read rather than watching TV a lot of the time. I don't think reading a lot is bad... It's not about how many books you read but how much you enjoy what you read!

#BookSky 📚💙
Can we please stop shaming people who read 100+ books a year? Yes, it's possible. We make different choices, e.g., watching fewer series and carrying books everywhere, reading instead of being on our phones. It's not that difficult.
December 5, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Reposted by Louise Fairbairn
New review! #Blackwater by #SarahSultoon (pub'd @orendabooks.bsky.social thx @annerandomthings.bsky.social) - "I put the book down and was left unsettled and uncertain ... It's a powerful, atmospheric story, let yourself sink into it"
#BooksSky
Review: Blackwater
Sarah Sultoon - Blackwater (blog tour) Published by Orenda Books, paperback £9.99, also available in ebook. I received a proof copy of the novel from the publisher for review purposes. Many thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour. You can buy the book direct from the publisher here: …
crimebookgirl.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Reposted by Louise Fairbairn
Looks like it's killin' time...
Not the most festive headline we've ever written.
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social thought I was going to be terminally stuck at one point, but finally got the hints and it was fine then 😁

I played squaredle.com 12/04:
57/57 words (+4 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 11% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 55
Squaredle
Squaredle is a daily word building game. Swipe letters in the grid to test your vocabulary every day and rise to the top of the leaderboards!
squaredle.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Hull folk and music geeks should know this one, but if not Nick has a potted history for you 👇
Which Former Hull Shop Gave Its Name To A World Renowned Band?

From furniture to fame, author and pop fan @nickquantrill.bsky.social reports from Bev Road on a celebrated musical duo.

Supplementals: tinyurl.com/5aantvpz

@hulllibraries.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Reposted by Louise Fairbairn
Today I am thrilled to share my review of Blackwater by Sarah Sultoon, the brand new Jonny Murphy thriller.

@sarahsultoon
@orendabooks @randomthingstours

#bookthreads #books #bookstagram #booksky #bookreview #blackwater #teamorenda
Blackwater by Sarah Sultoon
Are you old enough to remember the 'Millenium Bug'? I am, so today I am thrilled to share my thoughts on Blackwater, the latest book in the Jonny Murphy series from Sarah Sultoon. My thanks to publisher orenda Books for the advance copy, and to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the tour invite. Here's what it's all about:
jenmedsbookreviews.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:01 AM
It seems @dougjohnstone.bsky.social was predicting the near future when he wrote about the Skelfs offering this...

#BookSky 📚💙
December 4, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Louise Fairbairn
Today, I’m getting into the true spirit of Christmas - and that means MURDER, of course - with Alexandra Benedict’s new novel The Christmas Cracker Killer. A group of guests marooned in a luxury hotel. And a killer among them… Lovely! Out now.

bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
Review - The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict
The Christmas Cracker Killer Alexandra Benedict Simon & Schuster,  6 November 2026 Available as: HB, 304pp, audio, e    Source: Advance e-co...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Louise Fairbairn
We're delighted our next film evening will feature a screening of 'The Odessa File', 10th Jan (7pm/£5) at @hulllibraries.bsky.social (Central).

Our special guest is @tonykentwrites.bsky.social, who co-wrote 'Revenge of Odessa' with Frederick Forsyth.

Ticket link in the comments 🎬
December 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Bookish peeps, this is an amazing prize! Get entering!

#BookSky📚💙
WIN £150 of Orenda books! 🎁📚

Treat yourself this #Christmas or share with your favourite #Bookworm!

To enter:
🎄 Follow us
✨ Like & RT
🎁 Comment what you’d love to win + tag book pals (each tag = extra entry!)

🇬🇧 UK only.
Ends 12th December

#BookSky #Xmas #FestiveBooks
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
So, I guess we can just call it the Year of Sandy 🐙 @dougjohnstone.bsky.social
The Roundworld year for 2026 shall be known as [FX Drum Roll] : The Year of the Curious Squid. Artwork by Discworld artist Paul Kidby.
December 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Louise Fairbairn
Reposted by Louise Fairbairn
I'm thrilled that Upon A White Horse is going to be Radio 4's Book Of The Week. The first episode, which is on Stonehenge, will be on December 8 at 11.45am – and then there will be a reading from a different part of the book every day up to and including December 12. I hope you'll enjoy listening.
December 1, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Happy St Andrews Day, folks 🎉 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
November 30, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Louise Fairbairn
Advice for those of you thinking of writing a book.
November 29, 2025 at 12:37 PM