What We're Writing @LucyBurdette

The Falkirk wheel

LUCY BURDETTE: The truth is, I am probably (almost certainly) not writing because I am on vacation. But I was writing before we left on the trip and I certainly will be writing when we get back, so here’s the smallest sneak peek into what’s happening with Key West food critic mystery number 11.

You may or may not remember that part of this book (coming 2021) takes place in Scotland. Hayley, Nathan, and Miss Gloria are visiting Nathan's sister, who is co-writing a book about thin places in Scotland. Over the two weeks we spent last summer touring Scotland, there was only one day where we were left scratching our heads to figure out why we were visiting this particular attraction. So Hayley and company head there too...

Then we piled in Vera’s car to drive to two local sites. 
“We’re meeting Gavin and the others at the Falkirk Wheel, but first I’ll drive you the by the Kelpies. Gavin insisted on including these in our book.” With a tight voice, she added, “there isn’t a whisker of a thin place for miles around. But I will have to leave that argument to the editors. Or the readers who trash the book because the authors persisted in including commercial sites with no real spiritual value.”
“What are kelpies? What exactly are we seeing?” Miss Gloria piped up from the backseat next to me.
“They are a couple of giant horse heads made out of metal,” said Vera grimly.
“Horseheads made of metal?” her mother asked.
“It’s hard to describe them in any other way. Some of the local folks are quite proud of them, as they commemorate the role of horses in Scotland and were designed by a well known artist.” We could see her roll her eyes in the rearview mirror. “And then we will be visiting the Falkirk Wheel where we'll meet up with the others. This is a boat lift that connects the Forth & Clyde and the Union canals. There used to be a staircase involving eleven locks that took an entire day to transit. This wheel was opened for business by the queen in 2002.”
“It sounds very different from the other sites you've mentioned,” I said.
“You think?” She turned around to glance at me. “I suppose it is a modern feat of engineering, so I don’t argue that point. And it’s clever and brilliant and a solution to connecting the canals. But I can’t believe anyone will ever have a spiritual moment while rotating in this concrete and steel contraption in a glassed-in boat.” She sighed. “You’ll see.

Of course something terrible will happen there, how could it not?

Meanwhile, THE KEY LIME CRIME (July 2020) is available for pre-order!

You can order it at an independent bookstore, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and anywhere books are sold!