Ross Macfarlane KC on finding his new crime-fighting character
As the concluding part of Ross Macfarlane KC’s online serial ‘Festival of Murder’ is published, he reflects on the origin of new character Wally Wood and his cronies.
Scotsman readers already know Ross Macfarlane’s work from the Edward Kane, Advocate stories set in the 1850s, but in a special story for the Edinburgh festivals, he chose a modern setting.
“It was actually my wife’s idea,” said Macfarlane. “Lesley-Anne – who also illustrates my stories – said ‘You love writing about Edinburgh in 19th Century - why don’t you try a cozy crime mystery set during the 21st Century Fringe?’ Thus, retired prosecutor, Wally Wood KC and his cronies were born.”
He said the stories had broad appeal for a simple reason “location, location, location”.
“On the one hand, many of the places mentioned would be well-known to Edinburgh locals - The Cumberland Bar or Italian on the Mound - then there were the central locations that Festival visitors recognised, like Deacon Brodies or St Giles. Also, I think it’s because a lot of it is just real. All of the characters are based on real people. I had a friend come up to me the other day saying “I wish I could sit and have a pint with Wally Wood in the Cumberland Bar.”
The main character in the serial, Wally Wood KC is a retired lawyer and Macfarlane is a retired KC - coincidence?
“Drat - you’ve found out my secret! When I started writing the story, it struck me that I’d seen quite a few older sleuths - look at things like ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ - but nothing with an older, retired KC and nothing set in Scotland. I was working away at the time and hankering over Edinburgh, so I began to idealise sitting in The Cumberland Bar with my cronies - thus Wally Wood KC, JD and The Doc were born.
‘Festival of Murder’ was set in Edinburgh in August. Did you ever appear in any Festival/Fringe shows yourself?
“Of course - hasn’t everyone? In fact, I’ve had half a dozen plays I’ve either written or directed at the Fringe over the years. My first real job was in the theatre itself before studying Law at Edinburgh University. It was there I met Colin Ingram. We collaborated on some Fringe productions. Colin was studying Law to get into the theatre and I was studying Law to get out of it! Colin went on to become a successful theatre producer both here and in America creating shows like “Ghost” and then “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” on Broadway. He became a producer. I became a KC. I think we did okay!
So, what’s next for Wally Wood KC and his drouthy cronies?
“It’s certainly not the end for that particular cast of characters. To me, they’re all real and are already running around my head with their snappy patter, 1970s song references and cracking their awful dad jokes.”
Will we ever learn what happened to Wood’s mother?
“I’m already sketching out another Scotsman episode for Wally and his chums, so watch this space. Of course, if you’re Stephen Spielberg and you want to make the movie, then just contact me through The Scotsman and I’ll fill you in!”
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The next Wally Wood KC serial will appear in The Scotsman in the New Year.
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