Author Interview: Val Penny

 

Val Penny welcomes readers into the shadowed streets of Edinburgh with Murder in Edinburgh, the first novel in her popular DI Hunter Wilson series. Combining a compelling mystery with a vividly realised sense of place, the novel introduces Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson as he investigates the discovery of a woman's body buried near an exclusive golf course. As the case unfolds, Hunter finds himself drawn into a complex investigation where appearances can be deceptive and danger lurks behind seemingly ordinary lives. In this interview, Val discusses the origins of Hunter Wilson, the importance of Edinburgh as a setting, her unconventional writing process, and the experiences that have shaped her approach to crime fiction.

But first, let me intoduce you to Murder in Edinburgh:

Publication Date: 13th May 2026

Publisher: Joffe Books 

Page Length: 338 Pages

Genre: Scottish Crime Fiction

‘A thrilling series begins — and beneath the action lies a tragedy that cuts deep.’ Caro Ramsay

Discover an addictive Scottish crime thriller set on the streets of Edinburgh . . .

A woman’s body is found in a shallow grave on the edge of an exclusive Edinburgh golf course. The victim bears the signs of a brutal struggle: blows to the body, marks around her throat, knees scraped raw as she fought to escape.

But there is no name. No phone. No one reported missing.

Detective Hunter Wilson is summoned from his regular darts night to take the call. Two decades on the force, he’s seen plenty. But this one gets under his skin from the start.

Then a pregnant teenager is mown down on Comiston Road — and Hunter realises this killer isn’t finished.

In a city where everyone knows everyone else, there’s a killer hiding in plain sight. And it’s up to Hunter to uncover the truth before they strike again.

MEET THE DETECTIVE:

Hunter Wilson is ‘a son of the manse’ as they say in Scotland. He has inherited his church minister father’s strong Scottish work ethic, and his deep sense of right and wrong. He is divorced from the mother of his two children, and lives in a two-bedroomed flat in Leith, a modest Edinburgh suburb. He rarely sees his daughter, Alison, who lives with her husband and two children in the Shetland Islands. His son, Cameron, is a troubled young man who has given Hunter cause for concern over the years. Hunter is secretly in love with Dr Meera Sharma, the local pathologist. Their heavy work schedules means their tentative relationship is fraught with difficulties.

THE SETTING

Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Tourists flock to admire its historic castle, elegant Georgian terraces, smoky pubs and ancient closes. But beneath the picture-postcard beauty lies a darker side, where murder can hide in plain sight.

Murder in Edinburgh introduces readers to Detective Hunter Wilson and the streets of Edinburgh. What first inspired you to create Hunter, and why did you choose Edinburgh as the setting for his debut investigation?

When I started writing Murder in Edinburgh I considered creating an imaginary town in central Scotland, in the same way that Peter Robinson did for his DCI Banks novels. However, when I thought about it again realised that I know Edinburgh well because I had lived there for many years. It is a famous city that many readers will have visited or want to visit so it makes a perfect back drop, almost another character in my books.

The novel opens with the discovery of an unidentified woman buried near an exclusive golf course. What challenges did you face in building a mystery around a victim who initially has no name and no obvious connections?

Oh dear, that is a secret! To be honest, I wrote that part of the story backwards. I started off with the identity and back story of the character and then wrote her into the earlier scenes. I rarely write my novels in a linear fashion, but write scenes in a sporadic order and then knit them together to form the final story.

Detective Hunter Wilson has spent two decades on the force, yet this case affects him more deeply than most. What is it about this investigation that gets under his skin?

What upsets Hunter so much about this case is that he is a witness to one of the murders but finds himself wanting when it comes to remembering exactly what he saw. He is also devastated by the murder of the youngest victim. Who wouldn’t be?

Edinburgh is a city with a unique atmosphere and character. How important is the city itself to the story, and what aspects of Edinburgh were you most eager to showcase?

There is no doubt that Edinburgh is another character in my novels. I love travelling the city with my readers through the eyes of my characters.

The novel suggests that the killer may be hiding in plain sight within a close-knit community. What fascinates you about crimes that emerge from seemingly ordinary environments?

I find it fun to tease my readers by suggesting several perpetrators, each of whom seems equally unlikely. However, I rarely decide on the actual perpetrator until near the end of the book so I find out the answer to the puzzle along with my readers.

Before becoming a novelist, you worked in a remarkable variety of professions, from banking to farming to university lecturing. Have any of those experiences influenced your approach to writing crime fiction?

Every experience you have and every person you meet influences you to a greater or lesser extent. So I have to admit that each job has influenced me, however lecturing is probably the most important in that regard because I would create stories and situations to bring my subject alive and make it memorable to the students.

As someone with a background in law, how has your legal training shaped your understanding of criminal investigations and the justice system?

Although I studied law, I was never involved in criminal law, so if I have questions I tend to ask friends who are CSIs, in the police or retired police friends to help fill in the gaps in my research. I also look to friends in the medical and military fields for information about weapons and injuries. If anybody checked my computer search history, I would probably be arrested! 

Crime fiction readers often enjoy returning to familiar detectives. What qualities did you want Hunter Wilson to possess that would encourage readers to follow him throughout the series?

I have made Hunter a son of the manse – that is a Scottish phrase to mean his father was a church minister. Hunter also plays darts and referees a local junior football matches. Through all of these I have infused him with a sense of fair play and a love of teamwork. He is relentless in his pursuit of justice and determined to make a positive contribution to every team of which he is part.

You write across a variety of forms, including poetry, short stories, nonfiction, and novels. What is it about crime fiction that keeps drawing you back to the genre?

That is an easy one to answer! I most enjoy reading crime fiction and so that is what I most enjoy writing. 

For readers discovering Hunter Wilson for the first time, what do you hope they will take away from this gripping introduction to the series?

The DI Hunter Wilson series of books does work as a set of stand-alone novels. However, I am aware that many readers like to start at the beginning of a series. In Murder in Edinburgh readers are introduced to Hunter and his team as well as many of the villains whose crimes keep the police busy. I hope readers will enjoy the humour that pervades the tales and become immersed in the lives of my characters so they can enjoy the series. 

It was a pleasure speaking with Val Penny about Murder in Edinburgh and the creation of Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson. Her insights reveal not only the careful thought that goes into constructing a gripping mystery, but also the affection she has for both her characters and the city they inhabit. From her unique approach to plotting to the blend of humour, teamwork, and determination that defines Hunter's character, Val offers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of a series that continues to captivate crime fiction readers. For those yet to meet Hunter Wilson, Murder in Edinburgh provides an engaging introduction to a detective whose pursuit of justice is matched only by his deep connection to the city he serves.

Praise

‘Hunter Wilson is a compelling new detective and Val Penny is an author to watch.’ 

Erin Kelly, bestselling author of Broadchurch.

‘A taut police procedural that is up there with Ian Rankin, Alex Gray and Quintin Jardine.’ 

Michael Jecks, bestselling author

Pick up your copy of 

Murder in Edinburgh 

HERE.

Val Penny

Val Penny has an Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store. 

Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories, nonfiction books, and novels. Her novels are published by SpellBound Books Ltd. 

Val is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and their cat. 

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