More questions prompted by Ian Rankin's Black and Blue:
I get that "biscuit-tin" means police interview room, but
what's the etymology?
And what's with Jeff Beck's "Hi-Ho Silver Lining"? I like to
think of myself as fairly knowledgeable about pop music, but
I'd never heard of the song, much less heard it, before
seeing it mentioned in several UK
(2 out of 3 Scottish) books I've read. It clearly has some
fairly specific social implications. In two of the books (but
not Rankin's), a pop fan is teased by friends, accused of
liking the song which he vehemently denies. (After having
finally heard it, I am surprised it remains so worthy of
comment.)
And was it Joy asking about stories set in Aberdeen? 100
pages in, Black and Blue hasn't gotten there yet, but several
plot strands are clearly leading Rebus in that direction. I'm
sure he will be visiting soon.
Mark
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