Friday 27 September 2019

BAD TURN: Charlie Fox is on the loose in Europe by Zoë Sharp

One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about writing the Charlie Fox books is that they are not tied to one location. A part of me can see the attraction of a familiar locale and I know it might be a good idea to do this. After all, tours of Rebus’s Edinburgh, Morse’s Oxford, or Aimée Leduc’s Paris are undoubtedly popular.

But every time I sit down to write the next instalment in this series, deciding where she’s going to be heading off to is one of the things that keeps me hooked. The very nature of Charlie’s job in close protection means she has to be minutely aware of her surroundings. I take it as a challenge to try to weave in as much of the ever-changing dynamic between Charlie and her environment as I can into the fabric of the story.

For BAD TURN, number 13 in the series, I wanted a real European setting. I took Charlie to a bodyguard training school in Germany for one of the early books, HARD KNOCKS, and on a bikers’ fast trip around Ireland in ROAD KILL, but this time out I decided it was high time she made a return to mainland Europe.

I’d driven down to the southern area of France just before starting BAD TURN, and the scarcity of both people and other vehicles once we got away from the cities really set my imagination going. Tailing someone without other traffic to use as cover, for example, would present its own difficulties for Charlie.

The open agricultural land around the Midi-Pyrénées, with its open fields of sunflowers and occasional stunning pieces of modern architecture like the Millau Bridge, took my breath away.

There seemed to be a lot of half-derelict farmhouses that made my DIY fingers twitch to get stuck into them but provided ideal places of cover and concealment, as did the swathes of woodland.

But when I visited several of the magnificent local chateaux, including castles that had been in the same family line for a thousand years, I knew I’d found one of my main locations for the book. I borrowed aspects of a couple of them and created the Chateau de Bourdillon, complete with French aristocrat in residence. The fact he happened to have a somewhat unusual occupation was beside the point…

And then, of course, there was Italy. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Tuscany and Umbria and couldn’t resist BAD TURN visiting some areas that were very familiar to me, as well as others where I had to wing it a little more.

I borrowed the small island of Isole Minore on Lake Trasimeno, for example. In reality, the island is state owned and uninhabited but when you create your own version of the world, you are allowed to bend the rules. I made it the home of a wealthy Italian with a particular wish for privacy. I placed on the island a combination of abandoned monasteries and palaces for him to be restoring. Of course, there would be more reconstruction work to be done after Charlie left than there was when she arrived…

With her love of big motorcycles, Charlie’s no stranger to high-speed chases but I thought I’d take a different tack this time. It didn’t mean I couldn’t have some fun—as well as adding tension—by putting her in a small and somewhat underpowered vehicle like a Fiat Cinquecento. (And if you’re a fan of Fiat 500s, you’d better read that bit with your eyes closed. Let’s just say it doesn’t end well for that poor little car.)

Reintroducing Charlie to a European setting for BAD TURN was quite a ride and I’m already planning book #14. Where will she be next time around? Well, having spent a number of books working overseas, I think she might be ready to return home to the UK. The only question is, will the UK be ready for Charlie Fox?

Bad Turn by Zoë Sharp
Charlie has quit her job in close protection, been turned out of her apartment, and is apparently out of luck.  House-sitting in rural New Jersey has to be the pits—TV and TV dinners. A far cry from Iraq... Bulgaria... Afghanistan. Unlucky or not, she happens to be around at the right time to foil a violent kidnap attempt on Helena, wife of billionaire arms dealer, Eric Kincaid.  Kincaid offers her a job looking after Helena. The rumours about Kincaid’s business empire say he’s gone over to the dark side, but Charlie is in no position to be fussy. And protecting people against those who want to do them harm is what she’s good at. But when the threats against the Kincaids escalate, and then follow the couple over to Europe, Charlie’s really going to have to up her game. It’s time to take the fight to the enemy.  Charlie’s at her best putting an end to trouble. Now she must learn to strike first. And hope that the Kincaids don’t discover the secret she’s been keeping from them, right from the start.

Read the first three chapters of BAD TURN


BAD TURN is published in ebook, mass-market paperback, hardcover and Large Print editions on September 27 2019. For more information visit www.ZoeSharp.com


Tuesday 24 September 2019

Capital Crime Mystery Panels


Widows Screening & Mystery Panels Revealed





CAPITAL CRIME, CAPITAL ENTERTAINMENT
In two days, we throw open the doors to the Grand Connaught Rooms and welcome hundreds of crime and thriller fans to Capital Crime.

FRIDAY FILM
We're pleased to announce we shall be screening WIDOWS, the brilliant film directed by Steve McQueen, adapted from Lynda La Plante's seminal series. The screening is open to all Friday Day Pass and Weekend Pass holders.

MYSTERY PANELS
FRIDAY
On Friday, we're thrilled to be welcoming two brilliant authors to Capital Crime to talk about the experience of having their novels adapted for screen. SJ Watson is an international bestseller whose debut novel, Before I Go To Sleep, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong. Paula Daly is the critically acclaimed author of six novels. Her books are being adapted for the new ITV series, Deep Water, starring Anna Friel. They will be talking to Capital Crime co-founder and screenwriter, Adam Hamdy.

SATURDAY
Adam Hamdy will be back on Saturday as part of a panel on the Craft of Writing. He'll be in conversation with his partner in Capital Crime, David Headley, the founder of DHH Literary Agency and Goldsboro Books, and Vicki Mellor, Fiction Publishing Director at Pan Macmillan. A number of Capital Crime passholders have asked for a panel on writing advice, so if you're an aspiring author, come along. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the panellists.

You can find the final Capital Crime schedule here: https://www.capitalcrime.org/capital-crime-schedule/

FREE SHIPPING
We’re pleased to announce our festival bookseller, Goldsboro Books, is offering free UK shipping on books bought at the festival, so you don’t have to worry about carrying a suitcase full of signed books home with you. Let Goldsboro take the strain while you enjoy meeting your favourite authors and discovering new ones. International shipping is also available. Please ask staff for details.

CAPITAL ENTERTAINMENT, CAPITAL VALUE
We’re also delighted to announce that all pass holders will be entitled to complimentary tea and coffee at the festival, courtesy of the fine folks at Pan Macmillan. Weekend pass holders will be entitled to two complimentary drinks from the bar at the opening night drinks party, thanks to DHH Literary Agency. And Saturday and weekend pass holders will be entitled to two complimentary drinks from the bar at the Saturday night drinks party, thanks to Amazon Publishing.

All our pass holders will also receive a fantastic goody bag packed with books, samplers and freebies.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Pass holders are currently voting for the Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards. If you're a Capital Crime pass holder, visit www.capitalcrime.org, log into your account and cast your votes today.

If you have any questions about Capital Crime, please try our FAQs: https://www.capitalcrime.org/faqs/

If you're planning to come to Capital Crime and haven't booked your pass, you're running out of time, and we're running out of tickets.

Click here https://www.capitalcrime.org/capital-crime-schedule/to book your passes or visit www.capitalcrime.org 


Monday 23 September 2019

Countdown to the Daggers


The countdown is on for the world-famous Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Daggers, which honour the very best in crime writing.

Tickets are now available for the Dagger Awards gala dinner, which takes place from 6.30pm at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City.

The oldest awards in the genre, created in 1955, the CWA Daggers have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over half a century. 

The night is compered by Barry Forshaw, one of the UK’s leading experts on crime fiction.

Barry Forshaw said: “It's a starry evening showcasing the most prestigious prizes in the crime fiction world - the Oscars of the genre - and I'm always pleased and privileged to emcee it. Not least for the chance to rub shoulders with the very best writers and publishers at a very convivial event.”

A Dagger is considered something of a holy grail for crime authors as well as one of the highlights on the awards’ calendar for the publishing world.

Winners of the Daggers - including the Gold for best crime novel, the Ian Fleming Steel for best spy or thriller, the ALCS Gold for Non-fiction, the John Creasey (New Blood) for first-time authors, and the Sapere Books Historical Dagger - will be announced on the night.

UK Libraries have also shortlisted six crime authors for the prestigious Dagger in the Library. M C Beaton, Mark Billingham, John Connolly, Kate Ellis, C J Sansom and Cath Staincliffe have been nominated by librarians, chosen for their body of work and their support of libraries.

The 10 coveted Daggers will also be complemented by a new category for the book trade - the Best Crime and Mystery Publisher of the Year.

Robert Goddard has already been announced as the recipient of the elite Diamond Dagger. Goddard will be presented with the award on the night in celebration of his career and contribution to the crime genre.

Guest speaker on the night is the writer, broadcaster, dramatist and journalist Lynne Truss, famed for Eats, Shoots and Leaves alongside her comic crime novel, A Shot in the Dark.

Tickets are limited. For ticket details and to book a place –
or contact admin@thecwa.co.uk Discounts are available for tables of 10 or 12.

2019 CWA DAGGER SHORTLIST IN FULL:

CWA GOLD DAGGER
Claire Askew: All the Hidden Truths (Hodder & Stoughton)
M W Craven: The Puppet Show (Constable)
Christobel Kent: What We Did (Sphere)
Donna Leon: Unto Us a Son is Given (William Heinemann)
Derek B Miller: American by Day (Doubleday)
Benjamin Wood: A Station on the Path to Somewhere Better (Scribner)

CWA IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER
Megan Abbott: Give Me Your Hand (Picador)
Dan Fesperman: Safe Houses (Head of Zeus)
Luke Jennings: Killing Eve: No Tomorrow (John Murray)
Stephen Mack Jones: Lives Laid Away (Soho Crime)
Holly Watt: To the Lions (Raven Books)
Tim Willocks: Memo from Turner (Jonathan Cape)

CWA JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD)
Claire Askew: All the Hidden Truths (Hodder & Stoughton)
Alex Dahl: The Boy at the Door (Head Of Zeus)
Chris Hammer: Scrublands (Wildfire)
Vicky Newham: Turn a Blind Eye (HQ)
Laura Shepherd-Robinson: Blood and Sugar (Mantle)
Vanda Symon: Overkill (Orenda)

CWA ALCS GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION
Sue Black: All That Remains (Doubleday)
Mikita Brottman: An Unexplained Death (Canongate)
Claire Harman: Murder by the Book (Viking)
Kirk Wallace Johnson: The Feather Thief (Hutchinson)
Ben Macintyre: The Spy and the Traitor (Viking)
Hallie Rubenhold: The Five (Doubleday)

CWA INTERNATIONAL DAGGER 
Dov Alfon: A Long Night in Paris, tr Daniella Zamir (Maclehose Press )
Karin Brynard: Weeping Waters, tr Maya Fowler & Isobel Dixon (World Noir)
Gianrico Carofiglio: The Cold Summer, tr Howard Curtis (Bitter Lemon Press)
Keigo Higashino: Newcomer, tr Giles Murray (Little, Brown)
Håkan Nesser: The Root of Evil, tr Sarah Death (Mantle)
Cay Rademacher: The Forger, tr Peter Millar (Arcadia Books)

CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER
Liam McIlvanney: The Quaker (Harper Fiction)
S G MacLean: Destroying Angel (Quercus Fiction)
Abir Mukherjee: Smoke and Ashes (Harvill Secker)
Alex Reeve:  The House on Half Moon Street (Raven Books)
C J Sansom: Tombland (Mantle)
Laura Shepherd-Robinson: Blood and Sugar (Mantle)

CWA SHORT STORY DAGGER
Martin Edwards: Strangers in a Pub in ‘Ten Year Stretch’ edited by Martin Edwards and Adrian Muller (No Exit Press)
Syd Moore: Death Becomes Her in ‘The Strange Casebook’ by Syd Moore (Point Blank Books)
Danuta Reah: The Dummies’ Guide to Serial Killing in ‘The Dummies’ Guide to Serial Killing and other Fantastic Female Fables’ (Fantastic Books)
Teresa Solana: I Detest Mozart in ‘The First Prehistoric Serial Killer and Other Stories’ by Teresa Solana (Bitter Lemon Press)
Lavie Tidhar: Bag Man in ‘The Outcast Hours’ edited by Mahvesh Murad and Jared Shurin (Solaris)

DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY
M C Beaton
Mark Billingham
John Connolly
Kate Ellis
C J Sansom
Cath Staincliffe

DEBUT DAGGER 
(A competition for the opening of a crime novel by an uncontracted writer)
Shelley Burr: Wake
Jerry Crause: The Mourning Light
Catherine Hendricks: Hardways                                                                                
David Smith: The Firefly                                                                               
Fran Smith: A Thin Sharp Blade  

BEST CRIME & MYSTERY PUBLISHER DAGGER
Faber & Faber
Harper Fiction (HarperCollins)
HQ (HarperCollins)
No Exit Press (Oldcastle Books) 
Orenda Books
Pushkin Vertigo (Pushkin)
Raven Books

DIAMOND DAGGER        
Presented to Robert Goddard.                 

Friday 20 September 2019

Manda Scott Revealed to be the Winner of the McIlvanney Prize Scottish Crime Book of the Year Award 2019.

David Baldacci announced at the opening of Bloody Scotland that the winner of the 2019 McIlvanney Prize is Manda Scott for A Treachery of Spies published by Transworld.

It is only the second time in its 8-year history that the prize has been won by a woman. Two previous winners – Denise Mina and Chris Brookmyre (this time as Ambrose Parry with wife Marisa Haetzman) were amongst the four finalists along with Doug Johnstone – but A Treachery of Spies was the unanimous winner. 

The panel of judges which included Guardian journalist Alison Flood; Chair of Publishing Scotland, James Crawford and former Head of Programmes at Channel 4, Stuart Cosgrove, described A Treachery of Spies as: ‘A powerful, complex and remarkable espionage thriller: a present-day murder links back to Resistance France.  An intricately plotted novel which keeps the reader guessing right to the end.

Lee Child described it as: ‘a beautifully imagined, beautifully written, smart, sophisticated – but fiercely suspenseful – thriller

Born and raised in Scotland, Manda has been, variously a veterinary surgeon, veterinary anaesthetist, acupuncturist columnist, blogger, economist – and author. She began her writing career with a series of crime novels, the first of which was shortlisted for the Orange Prize. No Good Deed, the dark, edgy thriller which followed, was nominated for an Edgar Award and hailed as one of the most remarkable thrillers of the year in 2001. 

The McIlvanney Prize recognises excellence in Scottish crime writing, includes a prize of £1000 and nationwide promotion in Waterstones.

This year Bloody Scotland also introduced the inaugural Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and special guest, Richard Osman, presenter of Pointless on TV and soon to be a debut author himself, presented it to Claire Askew for All the Hidden Truths published by Hodder. She is a poet, novelist and the current Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh.

Both winners accompanied David Baldacci at the head of the torchlit procession from Stirling Castle to his event at the Albert Halls which begins at 8.30pm. 

Festival Director, Bob McDevitt commented:
I am delighted that a woman has won both the McIlvanney Prize and the Debut Prize. Coincidentally we had already planned a panel on Spy Sisters about how women are beginning to enter the male dominated preserve of spy fiction. When Manda was longlisted for the prize we added her to the panel. Now anyone who had booked to see that event at 2.30pm tomorrow will be lucky to hear from the McIlvanney Prize winner.

Manda Scott was born in Glasgow but now lives in Ludlow, Shropshire. She will be in Stirling until Monday afternoon. If you would like to talk to either of the winners, the judges or the Director of Bloody Scotland Bob McDevitt please contact fiona@brownleedonald.com 07767 431846.


ADDENDUM

Immediately after being presented the McIlvanney Prize 2019 by David Baldacci, Manda Scott announced that she wished to share the prize equally with all finalists - Doug Johnstone, Denise Mina and Ambrose Parry (Chris Brookmyre & Marisa Haetzman.

She invited them all to join her on stage on this day of climate protest and said 'This is the proudest moment of my life. We need to change if we're going to get through this moment of climate and ecological crisis and we need to change the way we do things - this starts with abandoning rivalry. We need to cooperate. We need to share. I would like this to be a grain of sand in a tide that sweeps us to a new way of being.

Manda and the other winners went on to lead the torchlight procession with David Baldacci.

DHH Literary Agency New Voices Award Nominees


We're pleased to announce the shortlist for the DHH Literary Agency New Voices Award 2019. It was an extremely competitive field, so if you weren't shortlisted, please don't lose heart. 
 CONGRATULATIONS


Congratulations to our shortlisted authors Suzy Aspley, Eric Bishop, Patti Buff, Steven Coombs, Gavin Dimmock, Victoria Goldman, Ashley Harrison, Fraser Massey, DC Smith and Nathan Velayudhan. 

The winner will be announced on Thursday 26th September at the Capital Crime opening nights drinks party. 

Good luck to all the shortlisted authors.

NEARLY TIME FOR CAPITAL CRIME

If you're coming to Capital Crime, your passes will be available for collection from the registration desk at the Grand Connaught Rooms. Please check our frequently asked questions for more details about the festival: http://www.capitalcrime.org/faqs/ 

If you're planning to come to Capital Crime, you're running out of time to book your tickets

Click here to book your passes or visit www.capitalcrime.org 

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Pass holders are currently voting for the Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards. If you're a Capital Crime pass holder, visit www.capitalcrime.org, log into your account and cast your votes today.

Thursday 19 September 2019

Crime writers call for climate justice at Bloody Scotland

Top crime writers from around the world will be gathering to support the global call for action on climate change and invite you to join them on Saturday 20 September 1-1.30pm 

At the beginning of the worldwide week of #ClimateStrike (20-27 September), authors attending Scotland’s annual crime writing festival, Bloody Scotland in Stirling, will be gathering to support action on climate change which threatens the lives of people in the poorest countries. 

It has been organised by Jackie McLean, who volunteered at Bloody Scotland in the past and is now a crime writer herself who will be “In the Spotlight” as the support act for Chris Brookmyre and Michael Robotham. The action is fully supported by the Bloody Scotland board: 

Lin Anderson said: “Schoolchildren and students have taken to the streets in huge numbers.  Now they’re asking adults to join them to demand urgent action on climate change.” 

Abir Mukherjee said: "Action on climate change may be inconvenient for some - but for the most vulnerable people across the planet, it’s a life or death emergency.” 

Bob McDevitt, Director of Bloody Scotland said: “Crime writing is a powerful way of shining a spotlight on society, and many crime writers are passionate about the fight for social justice and tackling inequalities.  Bloody Scotland is proud to support the call for climate justice, in highlighting the impacts on those living in the poorest countries if we take no action.

The gathering will take place outside the Albert Halls in Stirling from 1-1.30pm on Saturday 20 September and will begin with a rallying call from international bestselling Scottish author and McIlvanney Prize finalist Denise Mina.

Denise Mina said: “Climate change is already affecting us all. It is essential in oil producing countries like ours that everyone strives to maintain loud, strident voices to keep climate change at the forefront of every decision and agenda, for the future of everyone.

Fellow McIlvanney Prize finalist, Manda Scott said: "I am genuinely delighted to be part of this action - I had been feeling raw and grieving at missing the actions in my home area so it’s both a relief and a joy to be able to join my fellow authors in an action of our own so that our voices can join the chorus across the world. We need to say as loudly as possible for as long as it takes for governments to take notice that there is no time left for inaction."

For further information or to arrange an interview with the organiser Jackie McLean or Denise Mina please contact fiona@brownleedonald.com

Monday 16 September 2019

Urgent, Timely’ Feminist Dystopian Debut VOX Wins 2019 Goldsboro Books Glass Bell

Debut novelist Christina Dalcher has been awarded The Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2019 for her thought-provoking and suspenseful dystopian thriller VOX, which imagines a near future in which an evangelical sect has taken control of the US and women have been limited to speaking just a hundred words a day. 

VOX won against five other novels, including Belinda Bauer’s Booker-long-listed Snap, for the Glass Bell Award, which rewards ‘compelling storytelling with brilliant characterisation and a distinct voice that is confidently written and assuredly realised’ in any genre. Also shortlisted were Dalcher’s fellow debut novelists Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott for Swan Song, a fictionalised account of the rise and self-inflicted fall of Truman Capote, and Heather Morris, author of the million-copy bestseller The Tattooist of Auschwitz; M.W. Craven for his Gold Dagger-shortlisted Cumbrian thriller The Puppet Show, and Louise Candlish, for ‘property thriller’ Our House, which went on to win the British Book Award Crime & Thriller of the Year. 

Dalcher was awarded the Glass Bell at a party held at Goldsboro Books in central London on the evening of Monday 16thSeptember, receiving £2,000 and a handmade, engraved glass bell. The prize was judged by Goldsboro Books founder David Headley and his team at the bookshop. 

David Headley said: ‘Hard-won rights sometimes feel like a luxury that we can never take for granted, and VOX is an urgent and timely reminder of this. A terrifyingly plausible yet dazzling thriller which prompted passionate discussions during the judging, it’s a story about the importance of communication, the power of language and a lesson that freedom is continually being fought for around the world. I set up the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award to celebrate stories like this – which challenge us, frighten us and stimulate us.

Founded in 2017 by David Headley, Managing Director of Goldsboro Books, the Glass Bell Award is given annually to a compelling novel with brilliant characterisation and a distinct voice that is confidently written and assuredly realised. Now in its third year, the Glass Bell is the only award to reward storytelling in all genres, from romance and crime to historical and speculative. The winner receives £2,000, as well as a beautiful, handmade, engraved glass bell.

The inaugural winner was Chris Cleave, for his extraordinary Everyone Brave is Forgiven (Sceptre), the moving and unflinching novel about the profound effects that the Second World War had on ordinary citizens back at home in Britain. Last year, the award went to John Boyne for his sweeping, poignant and comedic odyssey of post-war Ireland, The Heart’s Invisible Furies (Transworld).

Sunday 15 September 2019

Then and Now: Tales of Troubled Youth win Ngaio Marsh Awards

A trio of fresh crime voices were the culprits in Christchurch on Saturday evening as Dame Fiona Kidman, JP Pomare, and Kelly Dennett were unmasked as winners of the 2019 Ngaio Marsh Awards. 

While being very different kinds of crime stories, all three winning books explored young lives that had gone tragically astray. Dame Fiona, a doyenne of New Zealand literature, scooped the Best Novel prize for This Mortal Boy (Penguin), a haunting recreation of the circumstances surrounding young Belfast immigrant Albert “Paddy” _Black becoming the penultimate person hanged in New Zealand. 

Despite the historical nature of the novel, the spirit still resonates in our time with regards to bigotry and discrimination,” said the judges. “The quality of the writing is extraordinary: a richly textured sense of 1950s New Zealand and an elegant structure and flow creating a harrowing tale full of humanity.” 

This Mortal Boy becomes the first novel to win both the Ngaio Marsh Award and the Acorn Prize for Fiction. The book has also won Dame Fiona the NZ Booklovers Award and NZSA Heritage Book Award. 

JP Pomare grew up on a horse farm outside of Rotorua, surfed the Bay of Plenty coastline, and now lives in Melbourne. He won the 2019 Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel for Call Me Evie (Hachette), a mind-bending psychological thriller about Melbourne teenager Kate who is recovering from a traumatic incident in a remote cabin in Maketu. But is the man with her a carer or a captor?  “An interesting take on unreliable narrators” said the Judges.  “Evocative and elegant writing. An intricate story packed with suspense and a fascinating exploration of the concept of false memory.” 

Journalist Kelly Dennett won the Best Non-Fiction prize for her superb exploration of one of New Zealand’s most infamous unsolved cases in The Short Life and Mysterious Death of Jane Furlong (Awa Press). Dennett’s first book takes readers behind the lurid headlines as it explores Jane’s broader life, the impact of her disappearance on those who loved her, and the on-going mystery. 

A tragic story approached with sincerely and compassion” said the judges. “There was a sense of understated rage at the injustice of it all. Dennett has, with compassion and respect, shown us the young woman who was so much more than a ‘teen prostitute’ who went missing from K Road”.  “It’s a little surreal to realise this is now the tenth season of the Ngaio Marsh Awards,” said founder Craig Sisterson. “We’ve been blessed to have some extraordinary books to consider and celebrate over the past decade, and this year has further added to the growing depth and diversity of local crime writing.” 

Dame Fiona received a trophy, special edition of a Dame Ngaio book, and $1,000 courtesy of WORD Christchurch. Pomare and Dennett won a trophy, book, and cash prize from the Ngaio Marsh Awards. 

Decades ago, a remarkable woman from Christchurch was renowned globally as one of the biggest names throughout the storytelling world” said Sisterson.  “So it is only fitting that awards in Dam Ngaio’s name are now showcasing just how world-class many of our modern day Kiwi writers are too.”


You can also now listen to a radio interview with the three winners, who are all absolutely chuffed, here


For more information about the Ngaio Marsh Awards, contact the Judging Convenor: craigsisterson@hotmail.com or ngaiomarshaward@gmail.com.

Friday 13 September 2019

Bloody Scotland Reveals Team Captains for Annual Scotland v England Football Match

Bloody Scotland Team Managers, Craig Roberston (Scotland) and Luca Veste (England) today revealed that their teams will again be captained by Chris Brookmyre and Mark Billingham for the annual Bloody Scotland Crime Writers Football Match which will take place at 2pm on Saturday 21 September.

The football match was the brainchild of Craig Robertson in 2014 and the first year Ian Rankin, Mark Billingham, Chris Brookmyre and Martyn Waites all signed up to play.  Following a resounding victory for Scotland Craig Robertson said “In a drunken, triumphalist haze we waved our English friends a fond and patronising farewell, sending them homeward to think again. Unfortunately, they did think again and they came back two years later and gubbed us”. 

The football has taken place on the Bowling Green at Cowane’s Hospital ever since though following a dispute when Thomas Enger (a Norwegian semi-professional footballer) joined the Scottish team new rules were drawn up. Teams now have to be made up exclusively of Scottish crime writers and English crime writers. No publishers, no editors, no agents, and definitely no professional footballers. One highlight for the English team this year is former Gladiator turned crime writer, Mark Griffin.

It is free to watch and in recent years has had the addition of a pop-up gin bar courtesy of Stirling Gin who provide Bloody Scotland cocktails for the fans – and sometimes for the players!

If you would like to interview Craig Robertson, Luca Veste, Mark Billingham or Chris Brookmyre please contact fiona@brownleedonald.com

Tuesday 10 September 2019

Murder One Ireland's International Crime Writing Festival 1-3 November 2019


Friday 1st November

The Gutter Bookshop 10th Birthday Celebrations @ The Gutter Bookshop
Join Bob Johnston and the Murder One team to celebrate Bob’s 10 years in Temple Bar – an informal evening of chat with some criminally good speeches – rub shoulders with your writer friends and colleagues to celebrate with one of Dublin’s landmark independent bookshops!
The Gutter Bookshop  
Friday 1 November, 6.30pm | Free entry
Booking essential


Saturday 2nd November

Things that Go Bump in the Night: CJ Tudor & Stuart Turton in conversation
with Sinéad Crowley
If you loved The Chalk Man and The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, this is the event for you.  Taking crime fiction in new directions, two incredible authors discuss inspiration, outstanding debuts and spine tingling goings on with bestselling crime author, RTE’s Sinéad Crowley. C.J. Tudor’s debut novel, The Chalk Man, was published by Penguin in January 2018 and was a Sunday Times Bestseller. Her second novel, The Taking of Annie Thorne, was published in February 2019. Stuart Turton’s The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle won the Books Are My Bag Readers Award for Best Novel and the Costa First Novel Award 2018.
Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
11.00am -12.00 pm | €12/€10

Destination Murder: Alex Barclay and Lucy Foley with WC Ryan
From a luxury inn on a remote west coast peninsula in Ireland, to a Scottish hunting lodge, these dark stories are told by two of crimes leading female voices. Chaired by WC Ryan, author of House of Ghosts, a man who knows a thing or two about dangerous, lonely places. Lucy Foley’s departure to the dark side is her fourth bestseller, and Alex Barclay, the first lady of Irish crime, brings us her first Irish set standalone in a gripping event that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
12.30pm-1.30pm | €12/€10

Untold Stories: The Five. Hallie Rubenhold with Joseph O’Connor
Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane are famous for the same thing, though
they never met. They came from Fleet Street, Knightsbridge, Wolverhampton, Sweden and Wales. They wrote ballads, ran coffee houses, lived on country estates, they breathed ink-dust from printing presses and escaped people-traffickers. What they had in common was the year of their murders – 1888 – and their murderer, the man known as Jack the Ripper. Historian Hallie Rubenhold talks to Joseph O’Connor and sets the record straight, giving these women back their stories. Set just ten years previously, in his latest novel Shadowplay, O’Connor reveals the hidden stories of Bram Stoker’s life. Enter the dark world of Victorian London with two eminent authors.
Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
2.00pm-3.00pm | €12/€10

Sam Blake’s Fresh Blood Meet three stunning debut authors: Holly Jackson, Catherine Kirwan and James Delargy
Three completely different stories, three completely different books but one passion. Find out how these authors got their break and what made the difference for them. How did they get their ideas and how long did it take to go from idea to bookshelf? From ingenious premise, to writing what you know, do good girls really get away with murder?
Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November                                                                               
3.30pm-4.30pm | €12/€10

Past Crimes: Jess Kidd, Henrietta McKervey and Paddy Hirsch with Declan Burke
From Things in Jars to Violet Hill, London’s only female detective, via Hudson’s Kill and the Irish gangs of New York, three novelists use the past as a backdrop to their page-turning adventures of deception, danger – and detection. Declan Burke, previously Dublin City of Literature’s Writer in Residence is an award winning author whose latest book is due soon from No Alibi’s Press.
Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
5.00pm-6.00pm | €12/€10

Martina Cole in conversation with Breda Brown
Martina Cole’s first novel Dangerous Lady caused a sensation when it was published, and launched one of the bestselling fiction writers of her generation. Twenty-seven years later, Martina has gone on to have more No.1 original fiction bestsellers than any other author. She won the British Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year with The Take, which then went on to be a hit TV series for Sky 1.  Her new novel No Mercy was published by Headline in October.
Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
7.00pm-8.00pm | €12/€10

Sunday 3rd November

All About Agatha: John Curran and Andrew Wilson with Anna Carey
John Curran is one of the world’s leading experts on Agatha Christie and author of Agatha Christie’s Complete Secret Notebooks; Andrew Wilson brings her to life as the protagonist in his fiendishly plotted 1920’s mysteries – as AJ Finn put it, ‘Andrew Wilson’s Christie novels do Dame Agatha proud’. The latest, Death in a Desert Land takes Christie to 1928 Baghdad. Journalist and author Anna Carey discusses the living legend that is Agatha Christie, one of the world’s greatest crime writers with two authors whose lives she has influenced.
Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
11.00am-12.00pm | €12/€10

Steve Cavanagh in Conversation with Andrea Carter
Multi award winning author of the phenomenal international bestseller Thirteen, Steve Cavanagh is back this year with Twisted. Barrister turned bestselling crime writer Andrea Carter discusses life, the law and stunning plot twists with one of Ireland’s most brilliant writers.
Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
12.30pm-1.30pm | €12/€10

Watching the Detectives: John Banville, Jane Casey and Roz Watkins with
Brian Cliff
Creating brilliant detectives is never easy, especially when so many great writers have left their mark on history. Mutli award winning authors John Banville (Benjamin Black), Jane Casey and Roz Watkins reveal who their fictional favourites are and why, and how they make their own characters stand out.  Brian Cliff is an Assistant Professor of English at Trinity College, Dublin. His most recent book is Irish Crime Fiction (2018), and he has published essays on authors including Emma Donoghue, John Connolly, Tana French, Paul Muldoon, and Deirdre Madden.
Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
2.00pm-3.00pm | €12/€10

Staring Death in the Eye: Unnatural Causes, Pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd in conversation with Paul Carson
As the UK’s leading forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd has faced serial killers, natural disaster, ‘perfect murders’and freak accidents, all in the pursuit of the truth. And while he’s been involved in some of the most high-profile cases of recent times, it’s often the less well-known encounters that prove the most perplexing, intriguing and even bizarre. In or out of the public eye, his evidence has put killers behind bars, freed the innocent and turned open-and-shut cases on their heads. In his bestselling memoir, Richard Shepherd gives a unique insight into a remarkable profession, and above all a powerful and reassuring testament to lives cut short. In conversation with international bestselling crime writer Dr Paul Carson, Shepherd will take you into his world where he stares death in the eye.
Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
3.30pm-4.30pm | €12/€10

The Killer Pitch with Literary Agent Simon Trewin
Sam Blake chats to Simon Trewin about what catches an agent’s eye, famous hits and misses and his top ten tips for writing a killer pitch. Giving examples of pitches that worked, find out how to make your book irresistible to a literary agent.
Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
5.00pm-6.00pm | €12/€10

CrimeHawks: Three Must-Reads Before You Die

Rick O’Shea quizzes bestselling authors Catherine Ryan Howard, Louise Phillips and Liz Nugent on the three books they each recommend as lifetime must reads, bring your notebooks!
Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
6.30pm-7.30pm | €12/€10

More information and how to buy tickets can be found here.