Val McDermid and Jo Sharp: A Literary and Geographical Union Born from a Doomed 17th-Century Expedition

Bestselling crime fiction author Val McDermid and Scotland's first female Geographer Royal, Jo Sharp, have embarked on a significant collaborative project, co-authoring the novel "This Door of the Seas." This marks a notable departure for the couple, who, despite their established personal relationship, have historically maintained a clear separation between their professional lives. McDermid, widely celebrated as the "Queen of Crime," has built a formidable career on a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful crime novels, captivating readers with her intricate plots and compelling characters. Her extensive bibliography includes series like the Lindsay Gordon and Kate Brannigan novels, as well as standalone thrillers. Sharp, on the other hand, holds the prestigious title of Scottish Geographer Royal, a testament to her distinguished contributions and expertise in the field of geography. Her academic work has focused on various aspects of geographical study, often exploring human-environment interactions and spatial analysis.

The genesis of their joint novel, "This Door of the Seas," stemmed from a serendipitous discovery concerning a ill-fated 17th-century expedition. This historical event, shrouded in the challenges and uncertainties of early exploration, provided a fertile ground for their combined talents. The couple, who reside in a spacious, modern home on the outskirts of Edinburgh, a setting described as conducive to independent thought and creativity, found that this particular historical narrative bridged their distinct professional domains. McDermid's narrative prowess and Sharp's geographical insights offered complementary perspectives on the expedition's challenges, its geographical context, and the human drama unfolding within it. Their initial hesitation to collaborate, as McDermid humorously recalled Googling Sharp to confirm her existence early in their relationship, underscores a long-standing recognition of their individual professional identities. However, the compelling nature of the 17th-century expedition's story proved to be a powerful catalyst, overcoming their inherent wariness of merging their creative and intellectual pursuits. This collaboration represents a unique fusion of literary fiction and geographical scholarship, promising a narrative rich in historical detail and human experience, brought to life by two accomplished individuals from different, yet ultimately compatible, fields.