Frederic Lindsay facts for kids
Frederic Lindsay (born August 12, 1933 – died May 31, 2013) was a Scottish writer. He wrote exciting crime stories. Frederic was born in Glasgow and lived in Edinburgh. He became a full-time writer in 1979. Before that, he worked as a teacher and library assistant. He was also part of groups like the Society of Authors. These groups help writers and promote free speech. Besides novels, he wrote for TV, radio, and plays. Two of his books were even made into movies!
His Famous Detective: Jim Meldrum
Lindsay wrote eight novels about a detective named Jim Meldrum. Meldrum worked for the Lothian and Borders Police. At first, Lindsay planned to write only one book about Meldrum. This book was about a person who tells the truth about something wrong. It showed how hard it can be to be honest. But Lindsay's publishers liked Meldrum so much. They asked for more books, and so the series began!
The Jim Meldrum books are like classic "police procedurals." This means they show how police detectives solve crimes step-by-step. The stories are often serious. Sometimes, readers know who the bad guy is before the detective does. The books also show a lot about Detective Meldrum's thoughts. They explore how his police work affects his personal life. This is a common feature in this type of crime story. The books also make you feel like you are in Scotland. They use real places in Edinburgh and Scottish ways of speaking.
In 2002, Frederic Lindsay wrote about his Meldrum books. He said it was a challenge to create a complex character. He wanted Meldrum to be interesting and real. He did this while still following the rules of detective stories.
Other Exciting Stories
Frederic Lindsay said his other novels were very different. They had various themes. Some stories were about growing up. Others were about losing a brother or sister, like in his book Jill Rips. Another book, After the Stranger Came, explored mental health challenges.
In 2005, his 1983 novel Brond was recognized. It was nominated as one of the 100 best Scottish books ever. This was on a list made by List Magazine and the Scottish Book Trust.
Books Made into TV and Movies
Frederic Lindsay's books were popular enough to be adapted. In 1987, his book Brond became a three-part TV series. It was shown on Channel 4. A Scottish director, Michael Caton-Jones, directed it. Famous actors like John Hannah were in the show.
Another one of Lindsay's books was made into a movie. In 1999, Jill Rips became an independent Hollywood film. It was also known as Jill the Ripper for video. The movie starred actor Dolph Lundgren.
