The following words and their definitions come up in today’s episode, as well as the context in which they’re used in the books they appear. There is also a brief description of each book.

The last part of the podcast includes some writing advice or insights into the craft of writing.

Words Featured in Today’s Episode

Remonstrating – Make a forcefully reproachful protest.

Hackles – Erectile hairs along an animals’s back which rise when it is angry or alarmed.

Mufti – A Muslim legal expert who is empowered to give rulings on religious matters, or: (slang for “civilian attire”), refers to plain or ordinary clothes, especially when worn by one who normally wears, or has long worn, a military or other uniform.

Shufti – A look, or reconnoitre especially a quick one.

Sluicing – A sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water and it’s the act of rinsing or showering with water.

Bumptious – Irritatingly self-assertive.

Avidity – Keen interest or enthusiasm, and in biochemistry it means: The overall strength of binding between an antibody and an antigen.

Cinch – An extremely easy task.

Stymie – To prevent or hinder the progress of.

Vindication – To clear someone of blame or suspicion. Or to show or prove to be right.

Featured Books in Today’s Episode:

“A Question of Blood” by Ian Rankin.
“Alys Always” by Harriet Lane.
“Team of Teams” by Stanley McChrystal.

Episode 12 of “A Stab in the Dark” with guest Ian Rankin.

Pilar also mentions her own book, “Hi, I’m Here for a Recording. The ordinary life of a voiceover artist.“