NPR's Book of the Day With her new book, Scottish author Val McDermid wants to “charm you into winter”
Jan 13, 2026
Val McDermid, a renowned Scottish author famous for her gripping crime novels, discusses her new book, 'Winter: The Story of a Season.' She explores the beauty of winter amidst its challenges, reflecting on personal memories and cultural traditions. McDermid intriguingly connects winter's long nights to the creativity needed for crime fiction. She also shares insights from her volunteer work with the unhoused, highlights Scottish winter festivals, and describes the beloved tradition of the Burns supper, complete with food, speeches, and songs.
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Winter Unlocks Creative Focus
- Val McDermid finds winter fuels her creativity by simplifying external distractions and opening mental pathways for prose.
- She uses the winter landscape and tracing branch patterns as a mindless prompt to let ideas form.
Winter's Social Richness
- McDermid hopes her book will “charm” skeptics into appreciating winter's pleasures.
- She frames winter as rich in festivals and communal rituals that give people reasons to celebrate.
Winter Nights And Detective Imagery
- McDermid admits winter nights feed her imagination and sometimes prompt thoughts of mysterious figures in the nature reserve outside her window.
- She jokes this explains why dog-walkers often find bodies in detective novels, and why she doesn't own a dog.
