Rupa Mahadevan talks all things Edinburgh

Submitted: 20th May 2026

My Friend’s Husband in Edinburgh

Rupa Mahadevan is the author of Nine Dolls – and My Friend’s Husband is out early June.

Locations are never an afterthought for me. As someone with aphantasia (the inability to form mental images), they’re the starting point. I can’t begin writing until I’ve locked in a strong sense of place. If I can’t perceive it in my own way, I can’t expect a reader to either.

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

My Friends Husband Rupa Mahahaven

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

That limitation has shaped how I write. Because of this, I focus intently on tangible details. On the reflection of scant sunlight on shifting water. The texture of tarmac underfoot. The way a space feels rather than simply how it looks.

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

For my second psychological thriller, My Friend’s Husband, I knew from the outset that I wanted a strong urban backdrop. Somewhere layered, atmospheric, and just a little bit deceptive. Thankfully, I didn’t have to look far from home. With its cobbled streets and castle views, Edinburgh felt like the perfect backdrop for this haunting, unsettling story. One rooted in obsession, the illusion of a perfect life, and voyeurism.

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

I don’t usually intentionally visit the locations. When I can’t draw a mental image on request, there’s little point in going there in person. Instead, I rely on tools like Google Maps and photographs to construct a sense of place. This time, though, things were different. Having lived in Edinburgh for sixteen years, I already had a deep familiarity with the city.

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

Much of the novel unfolds in Musselburgh, just outside the city. The long, winding River Esk runs through it, shaping both the landscape and the tone of the story. Some of the book’s most tense moments play out along its banks.

It’s also where the story begins, with a chilling 999 call that sets everything in motion. From that point on, the narrative coils and twists, mirroring the river itself.

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

The opening scene is set at Monkton Hall Terrace: a narrow strip of road wedged between row-houses and the river. There’s beauty there, but also confinement. Limited access. Limited escape. Its geography feels almost tailor-made for the story.

Interestingly, I haven’t actually visited this exact spot in person. With a combination of aerial views and detailed maps, much can be accomplished these days without physical presence.

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

Of course, not all research felt like work. One key location, the Starbucks at Colinton, came with a built-in incentive: a dangerously good Strawberry Frappuccino. The days I spent there, coffee in hand and laptop open, turned into some of the most productive writing sessions. Now, it is one of my regular writing jaunts. The ideal place to squeeze in a writing session while I wait for the kids to finish their club. Although admittedly not ideal for my calorie intake.

For the charity office featured in the novel, I needed something more central. Somewhere that felt connected to the pulse of the city. Also, an excuse to allow me to weave the iconic Edinburgh Castle into the narrative.

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

Thistle Street proved to be the perfect fit. Tucked between Princes Street and George Street, it offers that balance of accessibility and atmosphere. As a bonus, it’s also home to some of my favourite eateries. This meant the visits were as much a gastrointestinal indulgence as research.

The climax of the novel takes place at Fisherrow Links, home to a distinctive, claw-shaped harbour that immediately stood out to me. Visually, it’s striking. Structurally, it creates natural tension. Its pinching curves create the kind of character-rich setting I was searching for. If the dizzying ending isn’t unsettling enough, the sway of the sea and the hint of what lies beneath certainly make it one.

Map of locations in My Friend’s Husband

For a good psychological thriller, the location sets half the mood. Musselburgh, with its rich history and its own festival, brings much-needed cheer to a dark story. On the other hand, its dark river and the depth of the ocean bring a layered mystery where needed. It has been a pleasure to bring Edinburgh to life with my words. I can’t wait for the readers to feel them in the pages.