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Murder One ‘It would have been criminal to miss it!’

‘I always love being part of Murder One – it has rapidly become an important fixture in the literary calendar for anyone connected to the  crime and thriller genre. I also enjoy the fact it takes place in a library – it is impossible NOT to quietly look for a body, a dagger and a rapidly disappearing Colonel Mustard’
SIMON TREWIN – Literary Agent

We were thrilled with the success this year of Murder One Fest 2023, which was brought to you with the invaluable support of DLR Libraries. Back in it’s weekend format, October 6th-8th, we welcomed a host of Irish and international authors. We were delighted to have the wonderful Bob Johnston of The Gutter Bookshop on hand supplying everyone with books from both new, and already favourite, authors. Also a big thank you to Paul Sherwood Photography for all the fantastic photos which really capture the spirit of the festival.

Crime is one of the biggest-selling genres in the book business and Ireland boasts some of the world’s top crime writers. The festival showcased the cream of Irish crime writing talent with Tana FrenchJane Casey, Colin Walsh, Catherine Ryan Howard, Steve Cavanagh, Andrea Mara, Sam Blake, and Catherine Kirwan among those appearing on a range of solo events and hot-topic panels.

UK visitors included the hugely popular, Sophie Hannah, 2023 Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, Tom Benn, Alice Feeney, author of the phenomenally successful Daisy Darker, plus cosy crime specialist, British Book Awards winner Janice Hallett, and highly praised debutante, Alice Bell.

Once a name synonymous with breaking news of high-profile crime cases, Dr Marie Cassidy has turned her hand to crime fiction and she discussed her debut novel, Body of Truth, in conversation with bestselling crime writer, Liz Nugent. 

True crime fans were entertained by award-winning political journalist, Harry McGee whose book, The Murderer and the Taoiseach, retraces the extraordinary happenings in Dublin’s notorious Malcolm Macarthur murder case.

Wherever your tastes in the crime genre lie, we hope you were gripped by the plot of Murder One this year.

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Murder One is run by crime author Sam Blake and festival director Bert Wright.

Two black chairs on a stage with posters
©Paul Sherwood Photographer

 

Earlier in the year we kicked off 2023 with international blockbuster Harlan Coben on 21st March at the Lexicon Library in Dun Laoghaire which was an amazing event.

On March 26th we had an exciting evening at The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire  with Liz Nugent giving us all a wonderful opportunity to get right inside the  head of Strange Sally Diamond!

And on 20th June we were back at the Lexicon Library for a fantastic evening of crime with international bestseller Karin Slaughter.

Three faces looking at the camera

‘MURDER ONE has established a huge following among Irish crime fans in a short space of time and in a country that boasts so many successful crime writers, it’s a joy to get fans and writers together on an annual basis in an ideal location like Dun Laoghaire.’ – Bert Wright

 

A stage
©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

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“Literary festivals, writing festivals, readers’ festivals … however you wish to call an
event that brings readers and writers together … are magical spaces where magical things happen.
Being at Murder One has reminded me of that.” – Amy Gaffney

Murder One 2023: Take a Look Back!

Running from 6th-8th October 2023, Murder One was thrilled to be supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries again this year with a gripping programme for all.

Wherever your tastes in the crime genre lie, we hope you were gripped by the plot of Murder One as it unfolded across three days at Dun Laoghaire’s stunning LexIcon Library and Cultural Centre.

“Murder One is supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries and that library connection is true synergy for us – bringing new authors to new readers and new readers to authors is at the heart of both the festival and the library’s mission.” – Sam Blake

FRIDAY 6TH OCTOBER

Not Just Crime – Meet the Editors

A stage set with three people on a sofa and one on an armchair

Three top Irish editors, Deirdre Nolan, Sarah Liddy and Ciara Dooley, who publish both fiction and nonfiction, discussed their submission process and what they were looking for with Sam Blake.

Deirdre Nolan heads up Bonnier Books Irish imprint Ériu, Sarah Liddy is a non fiction editor with Gill Books and Ciara Doorley is publishing director at Hachette Ireland.

Not Just Crime – Meet the Agents

Two top agents,  Polly Nolan and Simon Trewin, revealed what they are looking for in a book. Sam Blake asked them for their tips for your submission package and how to impress an agent, plus the common mistakes they see every day.

The Body of Truth: Marie Cassidy in conversation with Liz Nugent

Four people smiling at a camera
©Paul Sherwood Photography 

Dr Marie Cassidy discussed her debut thriller with bestselling crime writer, Liz Nugent. Dr Cassidy served as Ireland’s State Pathologist from 2004 until 2018, her image synonymous with breaking news of high-profile cases. In 2020’s Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of a State Pathologist, she described the intricate processes central to solving modern crime. Now retired, she turns her hand to crime fiction with her debut novel Body of Truth.

SATURDAY 7TH OCTOBER

The Murderer and the Taoiseach:
Harry McGee in conversation with Breda Brown

Two people on a stage
©Paul Sherwood Photography 

Award-winning political journalist, Harry McGee retraced the happenings of the long hot summer of 1982 and the ramifications of the notorious Malcolm Macarthur murder case with Breda Brown. From the cat-and-mouse game to track down an unpredictable killer to Macarthur’s extraordinary capture, he considers both the life and psyche of a murderer, and that of the leading political figure of the time – a man similarly driven by greed, status and a sense of himself as existing above the law. True crime doesn’t come much more local than this!

3 x 10 Readings in the Studio

Kitty Murphy –  ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 
Woman on a stage
Gill Perdue – ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 
Woman on stage
Casey King – ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Three talented crime writers,  Kitty Murphy, Gill Perdue and Casey King, introduced by Sam Blake, had 10 minutes each to hook the audience as they discussed and read their work ! 

New Blood:
Meet Debut Authors Disha Bose, Alice Bell & Michelle McDonagh

Three women on a sofa on a stage
Alice Bell, Michelle McDonagh, Disha Bose – ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Sam Blake quizzed three very different debut authors — Disha Bose, Alice Bell, and Michelle McDonagh — on the game-changing factors that transformed their writing lives and set in motion the transition from aspiring writers to published authors in 2023.

3 x 10 Readings in the Studio

Man with glasses sitting at a lectern on stage
Joe Joyce – ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

 

Woman standing at a lectern on stage
Gaye Maguire – ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 
Woman at lectern on a stage
 Claire Coughlan- ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Three talented crime writers,  Joe Joyce, Gaye Maguire and Claire Coughlan, introduced by Sam Blake, had 10 minutes each to hook the audience as they discussed and read their work ! 

Secrets and Suspense: Alice Feeney, Janice Hallett and Sam Blake talk to Karen Perry

Four people sitting down on a stage
Karen Perry, Alice Feeney, Janice Hallett, Sam Blake ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Author Karen Perry talked secrets and suspense with bestsellers Alice Feeney, British Book Awards winner Janice Hallett and Sam Blake.  These three authors discussed story ideas, what draws a reader in, how they keep readers guessing and how they keep the surprises coming.  

French Connections:
Tana French in conversation with Karen Perry

Two women sitting on a stage
 Karen Perry & Tana French- ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Tana French is universally acknowledged as one of the most highly skilled crime writers currently working in the genre. Her Dublin Murder Squad novels have won a slew of awards including the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Award for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction on two occasions.  A rare participant on the festival circuit – Tana French discussed her work and career with close friend Karen Perry.

SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER

Genre and Beyond:
Tom Benn, Liz Nugent and Colin Walsh in conversation with Amanda Cassidy

Four people sitting down on chairs on a stage
Amanda Cassidy, Tom Benn, Colin Walsh, Liz Nugent ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Genre is often not much more than a convenient descriptor for the benefit of publishers and critics. Writers have stronger views on the limitations of genre which they find inhibiting and artificial. Tom Benn, recently anointed Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year for 2023 has said “genre is a moral, disruptive living thing, forever evolving and trading with its neighbours to better innovate and interrogate.” Liz Nugent has said she owes “no particular allegiance to any genre.” Colin Walsh’s debut thriller, Kala, has shot into the bestseller list and has been described as more literary than thriller. These three fiercely independent writers discussed the question of genre with Amanda Cassidy in what was truly an enlightening experience.

Complicit: Winnie M Li in conversation with Remie Michelle Clarke

Two women sitting on chairs on a stage
Remie Michelle Clarke & Winnie M Li – ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

This event was was run in association with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

Winnie M Li’s critically acclaimed Complicit is, as the Guardian describes, ‘a visceral and timely story about the men – and women – who turn a blind eye to systemic exploitation in the film industry.’  Li has much in common with her character Sarah Lai – she is the daughter of east Asian immigrants, an Ivy League graduate and former film producer, and as a sexual assault survivor, Li brings a deep understanding of her character’s world to this landmark novel.

‘Li’s novel is a way of acknowledging the women whose stories have been heard, and those who haven’t.’ The Guardian.

Winnie M Li discussed Complicit, her own experiences of the film industry and #MeToo with Dublin Rape Crisis champion and crisis counsellor, author Remie Michelle Clarke. Find out more about the work of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre here.

Support for anyone affected:

If you have been affected by issues raised here or have been subjected to sexual violence at any time, you can contact the 24-hour National Helpline 1800 778888 for free, confidential support. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre also offers crisis counselling via a free webchat support service at www.drcc.ie

Inspired by Real Life:
Catherine Ryan Howard, Andrea Mara and Catherine Kirwan
with Martin Doyle

Four people sitting on chairs on a stage
Martin Doyle, Catherine Ryan Howard, Andrea Mara, Catherine Kirwan©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Three of Ireland’s favourite bestselling authors, Catherine Ryan Howard, Andrea Mara and Catherine Kirwan, in conversation with Martin Doyle, discussed how true-life events and locations inspired their latest fiction. Howard’s The Trap was inspired by a series of still-unsolved disappearances; Mara’s No One Saw a Thing is based on a real- life event that happened to her and her sister in childhood; Kirwan’s A Lesson in Malice is set in her alma mater, UCC. Is real life stranger than fiction or vice versa?

 

On the Shoulders of Giants: Christie, Highsmith & Sayers

Four people standing with books in their hands
Andrea Carter, Sophie Hannah, Steve Cavanagh, Jane Casey – ©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Three of our greatest contemporary crime writers, in conversation with Andrea Carter, discussed their latest books and how some of the great crime writers have influenced their work. Commissioned by the Christie estate to continue Poirot’s legacy, Sophie Hannah has been called “Christie’s heir.” Steve Cavanagh has cited Patricia Highsmith as an increasing influence on his work and his latest book Kill for Me Kill for You brings the theme in Strangers on a Train bang up to date. Jane Casey is a huge fan of Dorothy L Sayers and her recent novel The Close delivers a modern locked room thriller to the page, complete with a broad cast of characters with interwoven secrets. It was fascinating to discover what brings today’s authors back to the classics in what was a truly insightful discussion!

Lots more photos available on our Facebook page!!

Karin Slaughter at the LexIcon June 2023

We were treated to a fantastic evening at the LexIcon venue in Dun Laoghaire on June 20th!

Karin Slaughter

We had a  full house with an enthralled audience of absolute fans for international bestseller Karin Slaughter. Karin’s incredible drive and focus came through loud and clear, with charm, wit and a strong moral compass. She has huge empathy for victims and respect for their stories, and a real understanding of the human psyche in all its guises. Karin explained that her first book was turned down by publishers and her agent suggested she should write something different!

Thanks so much to Edel Coffey for all her excellent questions.

Edel Coffey, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin, Karin Slaughter

It was fabulous to see such a massive signing queue for Karin Slaughter who was wonderfully gracious with every single person. 

Four photos of Karin Slaughter signing her books

And of course our thanks to Dubray Books for being so brilliant looking after the book sales on the night and to Ger Holland Photography for capturing the memories!

Two people at a book stand full of Karin Slaughter books

Karin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed storytellers. Published in 120 countries with more than 35 million copies sold across the globe, her 20 novels include the Grant County and Will Trent books, as well as the Edgar-nominated Cop Town and the instant Sunday Times bestselling novels Pretty Girls, Pieces of Her, and The Good Daughter. Pieces of Her is now a #1 Netflix original series starring Toni Collette, and the Will Trent adaptation recently aired in the US.

Karin is passionate, no-nonsense, provocative and one of crime fiction’s most articulate ambassadors.

Karin Slaughter in black & white

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Liz Nugent at The Pavilion Theatre March 26th 2023

What a fantastic event with Liz Nugent last night – getting right inside the  head of Strange Sally Diamond!

With an exclusive reveal about an extra last chapter in the US edition, author and RTE Arts Correspondent Sinéad Crowley expertly questioned No 1 bestseller Liz Nugent about the origins of the idea and how she brought Sally to the page.

No one gets under the skin of monstrous characters like Liz Nugent does. With each new novel her reputation soars, and Strange Sally Diamond may just be her best yet.

**Selected for BBC 2 Between the Covers 2023**~

Sally Diamond cannot understand why what she did was so strange.

She was only doing what her father told her to do, to put him out with the rubbish when he died…

Now Sally is the centre of attention, not only from the hungry media and police detectives, but also a sinister voice from a past she cannot remember. As she begins to discover the horrors of her childhood, Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends and big decisions, and learning that people don’t always mean what they say.

But who is the man observing Sally from the other side of the world? And why does her neighbour seem to be obsessed with her? Sally’s trust issues are about to be severely challenged . . .

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Harlan Coben at the LexIcon March 21st 2023

We had such a fabulous night at the LexIcon venue in Dun Laoghaire last Tuesday, March 21st!
Harlan Coben

Harlan Coben held the sold out audience spellbound as he chatted to Breda Brown, sharing anecdotes and stories and incredible writing wisdom. One of the best events we’ve brought together at Murder One, and one we won’t forget! And he’s just as much a superstar in real life as he is on the page!

Breda Brown, Sam Blake and Harlan Coben

Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-six languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries, with eighty million books in print worldwide. His Myron Bolitar series has earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and several of his books have been developed into Netflix original series, including The Stranger, The Innocent, Gone for Good, The Woods, Stay Close, and Hold Tight, as well as the upcoming Amazon Prime series adaptation of Shelter.

Audience at the LexIcon Dun Laoghaire with Harlan Coben chatting with Breda Brown

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Watch Back: Murder One Online & Live Stream Events 2022

Murder in the Library: Online Only Events

Laura Lippman has been heralded as one of the great contemporary writers of crime fiction. Her slick, intelligent, socially-aware novels have won every mystery award, including the Edgar, Anthony and Agatha Awards. Her new short story collection, Seasonal Work, underscores her impressive versatility across the genre. A rare chance to hear a master discussing her work.

Jean Hanff Korelitz’s super-smart plotting caught the attention of a whole new audience when her novel, You Should Have Known, aired in an HBO adaptation entitled The Undoing starring Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman. In fact, she had already published six critically-acclaimed novels, among them taut legal thrillers that have earned her a devoted readership.

Live Events: SATURDAY 

Let’s Twist Again: Catherine Ryan Howard, Andrea Mara and Arlene Hunt with Paul McNeive

Three bestselling authors known for their incredible twists discuss where their ideas come from, how much they plan and how they keep readers on the edge of their seats. Catherine Ryan Howard’s Run Time, set against the backdrop of a dark and disturbing horror movie is the latest of her award winning, bestselling standalone thrillers. Andrea Mara’s Hide and Seek reveals neighbourhood secrets with her trademark sting in the tail where ‘even the twists have twists’ (Lee Child) and after a string of bestsellers Arlene Hunt returns with While She Sleeps: from the shaky glamour of Irish high society to the cold heart of two broken families, Detective Inspector Elliot Ryan must work against hidden forces to solve a murder where nothing is quite as it seems.

Chaired by Paul McNeive, motivational speaker and author of Poison Sky

 

On the Case: Steve Cavanagh in conversation with Breda Brown

The Sandman killings have been solved. Daniel Miller murdered fourteen people before he vanished. His wife, Carrie, now faces trial as his accomplice. But Eddie Flynn won’t take a case unless his client is innocent. Steve Cavanagh was born in Belfast, and for twenty years he practiced civil rights law. All of his novels have been nominated for major awards and many are international bestsellers. Steve Cavanagh is author uniquely positioned to bring us into the tension of the court room – Breda Brown gets to the heart of Steve’s brilliant new novel The Accomplice.

Breda Brown is a keen book reviewer, Chair of the Irish Writers Centre board and the voice behind the Inside Books podcast.

Your Worst Nightmare: Brian McGilloway, Claire Allan & Louise Phillips talk to Sam Blake

Brian McGilloway’s The Empty Room, Claire Allan’s The Nurse and Louise Phillips They All Lied, share a common theme in a daughter going missing, but the hunt for the truth is handled it in very different ways – each one as gripping as the next. Sam Blake steps inside a mother’s worst nightmare to find out what drives and inspires these three very different authors.

Sam Blake is the No 1 bestselling author of Remember My Name and founder of Murder One.

Grounds for Murder: Ann Cleeves in conversation with Breda Brown

Award-winning crime writer, Ann Cleeves, OBE, is the author of more than thirty-five critically- acclaimed novels.  In 2017, she was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger.  She is the creator of popular TV detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn.  The books and the TV series they are based on — Vera, Shetland and The Long Call –have captured the imagination of millions worldwide.

Breda Brown is a keen book reviewer, Chair of the Irish Writers Centre board and the voice behind the Inside Books podcast

Live Events: SUNDAY

A Criminal Past: Vaseem Khan, Sinéad Crowley, WC Ryan with Henrietta McKervey

From 1950’s Bombay in Vaseem Khan’s award winning Malabar House series, to 1920’s Ireland in WC Ryan’s The Winter Guest via Sinéad Crowley’s dual timeline thriller The Belladonna Maze, readers are fascinated by the sins of the past. But how do writers’ achieve that total immersion and bring all the elements of great story together with the rich colour of times long ago? Henrietta McKervey digs deep to uncover the answers from three bestselling authors.

Henrietta McKervey is the award winning writer of A Talented Man, and the programmer of Echoes, Ireland’s only literary festival with Maeve Binchy at its heart.

Inside The Family Remains: Lisa Jewell in conversation with Sam Blake

As Lisa Jewell’s 20th bestseller The Family Remains hit the shelves earlier this year, her process was laid bare in The Truth About Lisa Jewell written by Professor of Cultural History, Will Brooker.  Lisa discusses the secrets of her continued success and evolution as a writer, how The Family Remains developed, and what it’s really like to have a book written about you. In conversation with Sam Blake.

Sam Blake is the No 1 bestselling author of Remember My Name and founder of Murder One.

 

The Scales of Justice: Nadine Matheson, Edel Coffey and Catherine Kirwan with Andrea Carter

Ex criminal defence barrister Nadine Matheson’s bestselling debut The Jigsaw Man brought DI Angelica Henley to readers with a gruesome tale of found body parts, Edel Coffey’s Irish Times No 1 centres on a courtroom and the question of guilt, and solicitor Catherine Kirwan takes us inside Finn Fitzpatrick’s own legal office in a gripping tale of Cruel Deeds.  In conversation with Andrea Carter, this panel will dig deep into the universal fascination with crime and the law.

Andea Carter studied law at Trinity College Dublin, and worked as a barrister before turning to write crime novels. She is the author of the Inishowen Mysteries, which will shortly be adapted for television.

Inside Slough House: Mick Herron in conversation with Declan Hughes

How many converts to the spy thrillers of Mick Herron the Apple TV series of Slow Horses may have added is impossible to say.  What’s certain is that the Slough House series already had a massive cult following among crime writing aficionados.  His latest novel, Bad Actors, is the eighth in the series.  Discover what makes the successor to John Le Carre tick when he talks to critic and uber-fan, Declan Hughes.

 

Crime in the City!

Our last event for 2022 followed on from 2021’s successful crime event,  gathering of some of the sharpest literary criminal minds from UNESCO Cities of Literature around the world.

This time, inspired by cities of literature Québec, Edinburgh and Kuhmo in Finland, we were joined by Roxanne Bouchard, Abir Mukherjee and Antti Tuomainen in conversation with Sinéad Crowley, as they discussed how their home cities have influenced and shaped their writing, how crime fiction crosses geographical divides and what prompted them to start a life in crime

Roxanne Bouchard

Roxanne Bouchard is one of French Canada’s most prestigious authors and playwrights. Her Detective Morales series has been shortlisted for the CWA Crime in Translation Dagger and won the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best French Crime Book, and a number-one bestseller in her native Canada. Her writing has been widely compared to Annie Proulx and Louise Penny. Whisper of the Seals, book three in the series, was published by Orenda Books in August. She lives in Quebec with her partner.

Abir Mukherjee

Abir Mukherjee is the Times bestselling author of the Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in Raj-era India which have sold over 400,000 copies worldwide and been translated into 15 languages. His books have won numerous awards including the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel, the Prix du Polar Européen, the Wilbur Smith Award for Adventure Writing and the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for E-book for the Year.

Alongside fellow author, Vaseem Khan, he also hosts the popular Red Hot Chilli Writers podcast, where every fortnight, joined by special guests from the media and literature, he takes a wry look at the world of books, writing, and the creative arts, tackling everything from bestsellers to pop culture.

Antti Tuomainen

Antti Tuomainen has been dubbed ‘the funniest writer in Europe’ by The Times, and he was one of the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime-fiction formula, with his poignant, dark and hilarious The Man Who Died, which has since become an international bestseller and a mini series. His books have won or been shortlisted for the Glass Key Award, the Petrona Award, the CWA Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger and the Last Laugh Award. The Rabbit Factor, the first in Antti’s first ever series, was a number-one bestseller and is now in production for a major motion picture, starring Steve Carell. Book two in the series, The Moose Paradox, was published in October by Orenda Books.  He lives in Finland with his wife.

Sinead Crowley

Journalist by day, author by night (and sometimes early mornings too), Sinéad Crowley is currently arts and media correspondent with RTE News in Dublin, covering all aspects of the arts and media on radio, TV and online. She is also an author. Her books include the bestselling DS Claire Boyle crime series while her most recent novel, The Belladonna Maze is described as a spooky dual timeline mystery set in the west of Ireland. The Belladonna Maze was published by Head of Zeus in May and spent three weeks in the Irish Times bestsellers charts. Sinéad is currently working on another novel, set in the 1920s and today.

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Murder One in the Library: In Person Events 2022

Welcome to Murder One 2022! We are releasing tickets for our in-person events first, with access to live streamed option listed below. Our Laura Lippman and Jean Hanff Korelitz events will go on sale in mid September.

For information on Murder One Masterclasses for writers (online and in person) which are available to book now, click here.

In Person Events @ dlr LexIcon, Dun Laogahire, Co Dublin.

FRIDAY 7th OCTOBER

 7.30pm

All About Agatha: An Evening with Lucy Worsley

Agatha Christie was not just the best-selling fiction writer of all time; she has remained a subject of enduring popular fascination long after her death.  Now, celebrated literary and cultural historian, Lucy Worsley, has written a new and fascinating account of the life of Agatha Christie, Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman. Join Lucy to delve into Agatha Christie’s life and writing.

SOLD OUT – PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE WAITING LIST

Murder One in the Library: Masterclasses 2022

In 2022 we brought you a mixture of online and in-person masterclasses – if you’re a crime writer or writing in another genre but aiming to bring the page turning quality of a gripping read to your work, these were invaluable – watch out for our 2023 masterclasses.

Find out from Graham Bartlett and Casey King how crimes are investigated, and ask all those tricky procedural questions.

Catherine Ryan Hoawrd, the Queen of the Twist, will be taking you through your plotting paces and Literary Agent Simon Trewin will be discussing the market, how to catch an agent’s eye and exactly how publishing works.

Places are ALWAYS limited.

ONLINE: Tuesday 4th October 7pm -9pm 

How to Get Away With Murder:  Online Crime Writing Masterclass

Ex Chief Superintendent turned bestselling author Graham Bartlett, and ex Garda Detective, writer Casey King, will discuss procedure and protocol as well as highlighting the most common mistakes made by writers.

Whether you write psychological thrillers or procedurals, find out from two experienced law enforcers how crime is investigated and what you need to get right to make your book – and characters – work. What are the developments in crime investigation that can you use to make your book stand out? How does investigation differ across boarders? With first hand experience and case studies Graham and Casey are experts in their field – Graham is the police adviser to many bestselling authors including the legendary Peter James.

And there will be plenty of time for questions, if you’re writing any sort of crime novel, this is a workshop you cannot afford to miss!

IN PERSON: Friday 7th October at @ dlr LexIcon venue

11am-1pm IN PERSON

How to Plot the Perfect Murder: Crime Writing Masterclass with Catherine Ryan Howard

Learn how to plot the perfect crime novel with Dagger and Edgar shortlisted crime author Catherine Ryan Howard. This workshop will explore the mechanics of storytelling and the best methods for taking your idea from brain to blurb. Catherine will share each step of her own process, from interrogating the initial idea to getting to ‘THE END’ of the first draft, with lots of Post-It Notes in between. Even if you’re more of a pantser than a plotter, this workshop will offer techniques, tips and tricks that will help you strengthen your storytelling and keep your readers turning the page.

 

 2pm-3.30pm IN PERSON

The Perfect Agent Submission with Literary Agent Simon Trewin 

London based literary agent Simon Trewin has spent over twenty five years in publishing, representing some of the biggest names in the business. Simon will discuss the key mistakes that new writers make when approaching agents and how to avoid them, and what needs to go into your submission package with bestselling author Sam Blake.

What makes a great covering letter and why is your pitch so important? How do you write a synopsis and what makes it different to a blurb? Get crucial tips on your first three chapters and what they need to deliver for your reader. Find out who to approach and how to give your book the best chance of success.  

4pm- 5.30pm IN PERSON

How Publishing Works with Literary Agent Simon Trewin 

Understanding how the publishing industry works will help you cope with rejection and improve your chances of avoiding it.  Sam Blake will quiz literary agent Simon Trewin on the process from contract signing to shelf, how long that takes and what’s involved. Find out how writers get paid and the role of the literary agent, and how literary contracts work. Not all publishers are created equal – get the inside track on what questions to ask, how to avoid costly mistakes and what to look for if you are approaching publishers directly.

 

Free: Speakers’ Corner Readings

Our Speakers’ Corner is a unique event introducing you to new and experienced authors in their own words – free, with no booking required, just pull up a chair and listen in to our authors discussing their work and reading an extract from their latest book.

Postitioned right beside the bookshop, you can listen in as you browse, or come over when you have your books signed!

Speakers’ Corner Schedule:

Saturday 8th October

12.20 Judith Cuffe reading from Unfollow Me

12.35 Fiona Sherlock reading from Death Visits January 

2.20 James Murphy reading from ‘How To Be Dead’ (from the Alternative Ulster Noir Anthology)

2.35 EV Kelly reading from Her Last Words

4.20 Kitty Murphy reading from Death in Heels

4.35 Amy Cronin reading from Blinding Lies

Sunday 9th October

12.20 Amanda Cassidy reading from Breaking

12.35 Sean Gibbons reading from City of Death

2.20 Martina Murphy reading from The Branded

2.35 Liza Costello reading from Crookedwood

Murder One The Podcast: Listen Back to Our 2019 Festival

Murder One are delighted to bring you Murder One The Podcast in association with Headstuff.org podcast network – listen back to our 2019 festival and to our fabulous guest authors again or for the first time!

Literary Agent Simon Trewin agent chatted to bestselling author about Sam Blake about The Killer Pitch, and how to approach literary agents. Packed full of his wisdom and 25 years experience, listen back here…

Listen in to John Banville, Jane Casey and Roz Watkins ‘Watching the Dectectives’ with Trinity’s Asst Prof Brian Cliff, author of one of the seminal books on Irish Crime Fiction…

Crime Hawks Rick O’Shea, Catherine Ryan Howard, Louise Phillips and Alex Barclay discuss the three books they think you MUST read before you die!