Crime fiction fans are in for a treat as Scottish author Ajay Close brings an illustrated talk to local u3a members, offering a behind-the-scenes look at her latest novel, What Doesn’t Kill Us.
A former Renfrewshire writer-in-residence, Ajay Close based her most recent book around the Yorkshire Ripper case. Fifteen months ago, What Doesn’t Kill Us won the coveted Scottish Fiction Book of the Year prize, while two of her other novels have also been long-listed for major literary awards.
At the u3a monthly meeting on Thursday 5th February at 2pm, Ajay will reflect on the shadow cast over her teenage years by Peter Sutcliffe. His crimes, which saw 13 women murdered across the north of England, had a lasting impact on her life and later inspired her first foray into crime writing. By the time Sutcliffe was arrested in 1981, about a mile from her home in Sheffield, Ajay had spent years looking over her shoulder, wary of every man she passed. Later, as a journalist, she went on to meet two women whose lives were changed forever by the serial killer – the sex worker who narrowly escaped becoming his fourteenth victim, and Sutcliffe’s wife, Sonia.
“What Doesn’t Kill Us is the book I’ve always known I was going to write,” Ajay says. “As a journalist I went on to cover major news events, including the Miners’ strike and the Handsworth riots, but in the late 70’s I wasn’t reporting on someone else’s story. I was just a young woman in the north of England who went out alone after dark – exactly the demographic Peter Sutcliffe was targeting.”
u3a chair Kathy O’Donnell said: “This promises to be a fascinating talk. People often say life is stranger than fiction and Ajay’s recent fictional book covers real events in the 1970s. I’m sure we will have plenty of questions to ask around this particular whodunit.”
Refreshments at u3a monthly meetings are available from 1.30pm at the Salvation Army Hall, Mill Street, Paisley (PA1 1ND).
Paisley & District u3a is Scotland’s 50th self-help learning organisation for people who no longer work full time. u3as are run by local volunteers freely sharing their knowledge and skills. Members are part of a UK-wide and international educational movement.
More information on local u3a groups, activities and how to join, visit: https://paisleydistrict.u3asite.uk.
Headline photo of Ajay Close: Craig Stephen