Here's how you could be in Edinburgh author Val McDermid's next thriller

Edinburgh-based crime writer Val McDermid is offering readers the chance to have a character named after them in her upcoming new novel.

The Stockbridge resident, who was born in Kirkcaldy, has teamed up with her hometown football club Raith Rovers for an auction - with the chance to appear in her upcoming Karen Pirie thriller, Still Life, up for grabs.

The character could be a hero or a villain, said the football club, who will share the proceeds from the auction evenly with the Homeless World Cup Foundation.

McDermid, 64, is best known for her Wire in the Blood series, which was adapted for television starring Robson Green.

Bestselling author Val McDermid.

Her books have been translated into 40 languages and sold over 16 million copies worldwide.

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