134: Sarah Pinborough on Small Town Secrets in They Say a Girl Died Here | Crime Fiction

Sarah Pinborough joins me for a special Bloody Scotland 2026 episode to discuss her haunting new novel, They Say a Girl Died Here.Known for bestselling novels including Behind Her Eyes, Sarah has built a reputation for writing books that constantly surprise readers. In this conversation, we explore how an early novella evolved into one of her most emotionally resonant novels, why she's drawn to isolated small-town settings, and how memory, trauma and family relationships became the emotional heart of the story.We also chat about adapting her own work for television, why she's no longer chasing the "big twist", the pressure of writing unforgettable opening chapters, and how horror films continue to inspire her writing.Sarah will appear on the panel:The Stuff of NightmaresShe also recommends:How to Clean a Crime SceneFemme Fatales with Liz Nugent, Andrea Mara and Harriet TyceS.A. Cosby's eventIf you're heading to Stirling this September, make sure you check them out.