ARTS CORRESPONDENT
The Scotsman
NEW YORKERS know a lot about crime but that hasn't stopped Auld Reekie teaching the Big Apple a thing or two about the darker side of life.
Ian Rankin, the celebrated author behind the Rebus detective novels, has been asked by the New York Times to write an Edinburgh-based crime novel for serialisation.
It is believed to be only the third time the highly respected paper has commissioned an entire novel and the first time the lucrative job has been handed to a non-US writer.
Rankin's books already sell well in the United States, but the New York Times commission could propel the author into the American book sales super league.
New York is much less crime-ridden than it used to be but the city's mean streets have inspired countless novels and classic television detectives shows such as Cagney and Lacey, NYPD Blue, CSI New York and Kojak. Rankin's new novel, which will tell the story of an art heist in Edinburgh, is due to start appearing in the newspaper in April and will coincide with a string of US public appearances by Rankin to promote his latest Rebus novel, The Naming of the Dead.
Saying it in the New Town,
saying it in New York
An Edinburgh art thief to his accomplice: "Ya radge. You really are a Dinny Dimwit. I said the Picasso, no' the Vettriano."
A New York art thief to his accomplice: "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? This Mona Lisa chick is totally checkin me out, dude."
An Edinburgh copper to a suspect: "Shut it pal or you'll be goin' through every door to the cells heid first."
A New York policeman to his boss: "This guy is slippier than a tub of zamboni. We got zilch, Chief."
An Edinburgh drug dealer to his cronies: "Ye wannae buy a wee bit oh toot pal? It's braw gear."
A New York drug dealer to his homies: "I be bustin' out with the fine rock champagne for ya party."
An Edinburgh wideboy to his Big Yins: "Gonnae geez a swig o' yer Buckie, pal before I knock ye oot?"
A New York homeboy to his buddies: "Bust out that 40 yo' before I go clownin on yo ass."
A high-flying banker arrested for massive fraud in Edinburgh: "Do you know who I am?"
A high-flying banker arrested for massive fraud in New York: "Do you know who I am?"
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