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Murder One 2026 Events

With the vital support of The Arts Council of Ireland, DLR Libraries and Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, we are delighted to be back for 2026 bringing you another thrilling weekend of murder and mystery.

This year Rick O’Shea will be hosting a very special free event on Sunday October 18th which is funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.

This year too, we bring you an exciting optional One Day Masterclass Ticket for our four fantastic masterclasses which are taking place on Friday October 16th from 10am until 5pm (scroll down for more information and booking details)

All Murder One Events take place in the DLR LexIcon Library in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin and this year we are delighted to announce that our Saturday and Sunday events feature Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

Please note that concession tickets for all events are for students, seniors and those on income support. If you feel that you may be in one of these categories but can afford the full price, please allow space for those who can’t, by booking a full price ticket. 

FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER 

THE SECRETS OF THE SUBMISSION PACKAGE

Friday, October 16th at 10.00am – 11am
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets: €20 & €17 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin/Sam Blake has been helping authors from every genre get published for over 20 years and she has a very high success rate.

In this masterclass she’ll take you through what you need to include in your cover letter, how to write a synopsis, what needs to be in your opening chapters – and how you know when it’s the right time to submit. You only get one chance, so getting it right is vital. This masterclass will also include crucial information on using AI.

Come with your questions – as Ireland’s leading literary scout she works with publishers and agents across all areas of the publishing landscape.

MEET THE AGENTS

Friday, October 16th at 12pm – 1pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €25 & €22 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

The Darley Anderson agency is legendary for representing some of the biggest names in crime fiction, but today they represent more than just crime.

In this unique event, meet three of their top agents who cover commercial fiction (crime/thriller/horror), children’s, YA, fantasy and romance, find out what they are looking for and what’s happening in the industry at the moment.

Whatever you are writing, this is not to be missed!

WORLD BUILDING MASTERCLASS WITH DAVE RUDDEN

Friday, October 16th at 1.30pm – 2.30pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €25 & €22 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

World-building is key in fantasy, but the art of creating a plausible setting is crucial to all genres, from crime to romance to literary fiction.

How does place inform storytelling? How can you engage the senses to convey character, plot and theme?

Discover new approaches to exposition, description and scene-setting, and learn from best-selling author Dave Rudden (Sister Wake, Conn of the Dead, Knights of the Borrowed Dark) how to make the world of your book come alive.

THE ESSENTIALS OF CRIME FICTION
TWO-HOUR MASTERCLASS

Friday, October 16th at 3pm – 5pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €45 & €40 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

Henry Sutton is the author of 16 novels including Crafting Crime Fiction (Manchester University Press), and is Professor of Creative Writing and Crime Fiction at the University of East Anglia. In this masterclass he will guide you through the nine key steps to writing a compulsive work of crime fiction, whether a police procedural or a psychological suspense, and everything in-between.

This immersive, practical and theoretical masterclass will address the very fundamentals of novel writing, along with more sophisticated and nuanced approaches, and will be suitable for those beginning the writing journey as well as experienced novelists. A sell out last year, participants are still talking about Henry’s first class in Ireland, make sure you book early!

 ONE DAY TICKET -FOUR WORKSHOPS

Friday, October 16th at 10am – 5pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €105 & €95 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

This one day ticket gives you access to four valuable sessions:

  1. The Secrets of The Submission Packet with Sam Blake/Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin
  2.  Meet the Agents with Clare Wallace, Lucy Irvine and Jade Kavanagh
  3. World Building Masterclass with Dave Rudden
  4. The Essentials of Crime Fiction A Two-Hour Masterclass with Professor Henry Sutton

Scroll up to get full details of each individual event.

Please note that concession tickets for all events are for students, seniors and those on income support. If you feel that you may be in one of these categories but can afford the full price, please allow space for those who can’t, by booking a full price ticket. 

DYING FOR LAUGHS
Ardal O’Hanlon in conversation with Edel Coffey

Friday, October 16th at 6pm – 7pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €18 & €15 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

Irish actor, writer and comedian Ardal O’Hanlon has turned to crime with a new mystery series featuring celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary in A Plot to Die For. Finn is taking a career break to help look after his mother when a member of her choir dies mysteriously…

In conversation with Edel Coffey whose In Glass Houses adds to her trio of bestsellers, this will be a night to remember!

SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER

READINGS IN THE STUDIO

Saturday, October 17th at 10am
dlr LexIcon Studio
Admission Free
BOOK HERE

Step into a world of story and imagination with our talented writers as Claire Coughlan (Among the Ruins) , Fiona Gartland (Under Her Care), Henrietta McKervey (The Woman in the Water) and Cormac Quinn (Murder on Lough Derg) take to the stage to read from their latest work.

From moving moments to unexpected twists, whether you’re a long time fan or discovering these authors for the first time, join us to discover the power of the written word—spoken aloud. Expect emotion, insight, and a glimpse into the creative minds behind the stories.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

ALL ABOUT FEAR
Cecelia Ahern, Sam Blake and Mary Watson with Kitty Murphy

Saturday, October 17th at 12pm – 1pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €14 & €12 
BOOK HERE

Thirty-two of Ireland’s women crime writers, members of the Irish Murderesses WhatsApp group, have come together to produce a landmark short story collection in support of Women’s Aid.  They kill people for a living, but find out what they really FEAR in the very first event post launch, to mark publication. Hosted by co-editor and contributor CL Murphy, find out how the collection came together, how Mr Fear, actor Emmett J Scanlan wrote the forward, and how Cecelia Ahern was lured to the dark side.

The editors’ royalty earnings from worldwide sales of this book
(expected to be at least €8,000) will be donated to domestic violence
charity Women’s Aid (RCN 20012045). Contributing authors have donated
their stories without renumeration to help make this possible.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

BLOOD TIES: KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
Carmel Harrington, Edel Coffey and Michelle McDonagh
with Jen Bray

Saturday, October 17th at 2pm – 3pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €14 & €12 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family! What happens when those relationships get toxic? Or are your family the only people you can truly rely on?

Carmel Harrington (The Nowhere Girls), Edel Coffey (In Glass Houses) and Michelle McDonagh (If These Walls Could Talk) discuss how relationships are at the core of every drama with Jen Bray whose The Lies Between Us features three sisters under pressure, and hit the bestseller list earlier this year.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

A SPOONFUL OF ARSENIC
Gill Perdue, Rosemary Hennigan and Dr Marie Cassidy
with William Shaw

Saturday, October 17th at 4pm – 5pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €14 & €12 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

There are many ways to murder –  Gill Perdue (All of Them Lied), Rosemary Hennigan (The Hotel Guest) and Dr Marie Cassidy (Deadly Evidence) discuss their ‘favourites’, and what works and what doesn’t, from their own work and others. ‘Modern crime master’,  the multi award shortlisted William Shaw will be hosting (and watching his coffee carefully…)

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

MISSING IN ACTION
Jane Casey and Andrea Mara with Catherine Ryan Howard

Saturday, October 17th at 6pm – 7pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €18 & €16 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

When someone disappears, can those close to them ever get to the truth?

In Jane Casey’s first book set in her native Ireland, Everything She Didn’t Say, a lonely clifftop holiday cottage is the scene of a violent event and a confounding disappearance.

In Andrea Mara’s Such A Nice Girl, two mothers discover their daughters have disappeared after a family wedding, but with blood found at the scene, could one of them be a killer?

In the hands of these expert crime writers, nothing is as it seems. Catherine Ryan Howard is question master, investigating the route from one dark twist to another.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER

READINGS IN THE STUDIO

Sunday, October 18th at 11am
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Admission FREE
BOOK HERE

Join us for Readings in the Studio where stories leap off the page and voices come to life.

Acclaimed authors Bryan J. Mason (There Are No Happy Endings) , James Murphy (Farset Investigations Belfast) , Robert Craven (The Payout Game) and Karen Fitzgibbon (Tell the Truth) take to the stage to share readings from their latest work— whether it’s sharp dialogue, lyrical prose, or unforgettable characters, each writer brings a unique perspective and style to this celebration of crime fiction.

Hear the words direct from the authors themselves.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

CRIMINAL GENRE BUSTERS
Aisling Rawle and Dave Rudden with Tanya Sweeney

Sunday, October 18th at 1pm – 2pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €14 & €12 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

Crime covers a huge range of stories from cosy to procedural, political to psychological suspense, mystery supernatural to dystopian.

Two very different writers from different corners of the genre, Aisling Rawle (The Compound) and Dave Rudden (Sister Wake), meet to discuss what drives them to write and why the stakes are always high. Tanya Sweeney’s Esther is Now Following You bridges dark women’s commercial fiction and crime, and she’ll be quizzing our authors to get to the secrets of a good story.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

CONTINENTAL KILLERS
Antonio Lanzetta and Antti Tuomainen
in conversation with Rick O’Shea

This event is funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.

 

Sunday, October 18th at 3pm – 4pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets are FREE but booking is ESSENTIAL
BOOK HERE

Murder One and DLR Libraries are thrilled to present this exciting international event where RTE’s Rick O’Shea will chat to acclaimed Italian writer Antonio Lanzetta and the ‘King of Helsinki Noir’ Finnish writer Antti Tuomainen.

Together, these two European crime fiction writers will discuss how regional landscapes shape literary tension, the enduring appeal of the anti-hero, the exploration of tone within the genre, and the complex mechanics of building gripping stories on the page.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

ON A DARK & STORMY NIGHT
Catherine Ryan Howard, Leodora Darlington, T.M. Logan
with Brian McGilloway

Sunday, October 18th at 5pm – 6pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €14 & €12 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

The opening line of a book can be crucial to hook a reader. Catherine Ryan Howard (Buyer Beware), editor turned writer Leodora Darlington (The Exes) and T.M. Logan (The Weekend) talk to Brian McGilloway about how they come up with opening lines and those lines that have stopped them in their tracks.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

THE GREATEST TWIST
with Harriet Tyce and Jo Spain

Sunday, October 18th at 7pm – 8pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €17 & €15 (plus booking fee)
BOOK HERE

What makes you gasp? There is a true art to a great twist as Traitors star and bestseller Harriet Tyce knows only too well, and brings to every book, as her latest Witch Trial clearly shows.  Jo Spain’s brilliant scripts take all sorts of unexpected routes, and in her latest gripping thriller Never to be Found, nothing is quite what it seems for any of the characters.

Jo and Harriet discuss with multi-award shortlisted William Shaw (The Burning Tide), how they come up with their ideas, and how they bring those gasp-out-loud moments so brilliantly to the page.

This event features Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Murder One: Mystery for Kids 2026

We have a very special mystery day lined up at Murder One 2026 for school groups featuring Alison Weatherby, Emily Hourican and Kevin Moran.

PRIVATE ~ FOR SCHOOLS ONLY

THURSDAY 15TH OCTOBER

CHARACTER IS PLOT
Time ~ 10am

 

Emily Hourican (Murder at The Ivy Hotel) shows us why the two are intertwined, and how they need to work together in order to further both. Paying attention to one over the other leads to a lopsided result – not enough action, or uninteresting protagonists. Make it both!

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER
Time ~ 10.30am

Learn how to create the nail-biting, edge-of-your seat mystery stories you love with Alison Weatherby (The Common Criminals’ Club: Death Before Detention) , getting tips on creating tension, red herrings, building suspects. We discuss the critical elements of a murder mystery, look at examples from recent teen murder mystery books, and create the building blocks of our own whodunnit.

CRAFTING A MYSTERY
Time ~ 11.45am

Join bestselling author Kevin Moran and discover the ingredients that make up a spooky mystery. Whether its ancient demons living across from your school or creatures buried deep in a bog, the characters from The Doomsday Club always uncover the secrets behind strange and terrifying events. Now it’s your turn to create your own spooky mystery and enjoy a reading from the newest entry in the series, The Doomsday Club: Bog Bodies.

Murder One Returns in October 2026!

Murder One, Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival, returns once again for 2026

Featuring a host of well-known, and internationally renowned, crime-writing stars, Murder One, Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival, returns to Dublin from the 15th – 18th October 2026 for its 9th year.

Expect  a thrilling weekend of murder and mystery, with not to be missed events, readings and masterclasses, all taking place in Dun Laoghaire’s DLR Lexicon Library & Cultural Centre.

Whether you are an avid crime reader, a budding writer with an exciting idea for a thriller of your own, or a book club looking for a new read, Murder One has something for everyone.

Keep your eyes open for more information over the next few months and sign up for our mailing list to get advance notice of the fantastic events we have planned for Murder One 2026

Paul Sherwood Photographer 
Paul Sherwood Photographer 

Murder One 2025 – It’s a Wrap!

What a fantastic weekend (even if we do say so ourselves)! We’ll have the official shots feeding out over our social media in the coming days but we have to say a HUGE thank you to DLR Libraries and the Arts Council for making Murder One possible, to our fabulous audiences who travelled from all over the country, and to the authors who braved the weather (and cancelled flights) to deliver such amazing events, and to Dubray Books for being such wonderful booksellers – THANK YOU!

Sign up for our newsletter to get first news of next year’s festival running 16th-18th October 2026 with a children’s day on 15th October 2026.  It’s already shaping up!

FRIDAY 17th OCTOBER 2025

THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO GETTING PUBLISHED

 

Sam Blake explained the blueprint of publishing from keyboard to bookshelf  while discussing exactly what the industry is looking for – what’s hot and what’s not – and how best to submit your work. She demonstrated what you need to do to attract an agent or publisher, and crucially what not to do. This masterclass provided a concrete way to improve your pitch, ideas on where to submit and gave a thorough understanding of how the business works, all in a relaxed and informal atmosphere leaving plenty of opportunity for people to ask all those tricky questions.

Plotting and POV Masterclass  with Professor Henry Sutton  

 

Whether you are writing a police procedural or a psychological thriller, you must consider the basic elements essential to a gripping narrative. The author of 15 novels and Professor at the University of East Anglia, Henry Sutton (Crafting Crime Fiction) guided the audience through the art of storytelling, from creating a compelling plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats to choosing the perfect point of view to bring your characters to life. The UEA Crime Fiction Masters is the leading course of its kind in the UK and some of the world’s most successful writers are alumni. 

Read more:  https://www.writing.ie/resources/tips-for-crafting-crime-fiction-by-henry-sutton/

 

HOW TO SNARE AN AGENT WITH SIMON TREWIN AND JADE KAVANAGH

 

Landing a literary agent is one of the biggest steps on the path to publication—but how do you make your submission stand out from the slush pile? Industry heavyweights Simon Trewin (Simon Trewin Creative) and Jade Kavanagh (Darley Anderson Literary Agency) shared their insider knowledge on what agents are really looking for.

From perfecting your pitch to avoiding common mistakes, they provided a guide through the dos and don’ts of querying, the anatomy of a strong submission, and how to build lasting professional relationships in the publishing world.

Whether you were polishing a manuscript or just starting your journey, this session was a marvellous chance to learn from two leading voices in the industry—and get one step closer to landing the agent of your dreams.

 

All About Agatha:
Dr John Curran in conversation with Victoria Dowd

Our author events kicked off with Dr John Curran and Victoria Dowd talking puzzles, mystery and the game of murder.

Dr John Curran is a world expert on Agatha Christie and her work. For many years he edited the official Agatha Christie Newsletter and acted as a consultant to the National Trust during the restoration of Greenway House, Dame Agatha’s Devon home, affording him unique access. John worked with her grandson, Mathew Prichard, to establish the Agatha Christie Archive. Dr John Curran is the author of Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks and Agatha Christie’s Murder in the Making, as well as the official history of Collins Crime Club: The Hooded Gunman. His latest book The Murder Game: Play, Puzzles and the Golden Age was published in early September 2025.

Victoria Dowd is an award winning bestselling author who writes locked room mysteries, her new book Death in the Aviary set in the 1920s features an incredible new heroine Charlotte Blood.

 

SATURDAY 18th OCTOBER 2025

Readings in the Studio

 

Saturday morning our talented writers Lucy O’Callaghan (Obsession), James Murphy (How To Be Dead), Joseph Birchall (In Plain Sight) and R.B. Egan (The Landlord) took to the stage to read from their latest work. From moving moments to unexpected twists we discovered the power of the written word—spoken aloud.  It was a really insightful glimpse into the creative minds behind the stories.

 

Behind Closed Doors:
Professor John Deane-O’Keeffe with Mary Watson, Amy Jordan and Gill Perdue

The secrets that people keep hidden behind closed doors make for fascinating fiction. Criminal psychologist Professor John Deane-O’Keeffe lead a gripping conversation with bestselling authors Mary Watson (The Cleaner), Amy Jordan (The Dark Hours), and Gill Perdue (The Night I Killed Him). Together, they explored the darker side of human nature, the secrets that simmer beneath the surface, and the complex psychology behind the closed doors of fiction.

 

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Events: Gillian McAllister and Andrea Mara
with A.J. West

Both Gillian McAllister (Wrong Place Wrong Time) and Andrea Mara’s (No One Saw a Thing) books have stormed the charts. Last Saturday they discussed suspense, secrets, and the surprising moments that change everything. In conversation with Sunday Times bestselling author A.J. West (The Betrayal of Thomas True) they delved into the art of crafting thrillers that turn everyday lives upside down—where ordinary people find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

 

The Role of Women in Crime Fiction:
Victim to Sleuth: Kitty Murphy with Catherine Kirwan, Catherine Ryan Howard and Amanda Cassidy

 

From damsels in distress to daring detectives, the role of women in crime fiction has undergone a huge transformation. Author Kitty Murphy hosted a thought-provoking discussion with bestselling crime writers Catherine Kirwan (The Seventh Body), Catherine Ryan Howard (Burn After Reading), and Amanda Cassidy (The Stranger Inside), exploring how female characters have evolved from victims and sidekicks to complex protagonists and sharp-witted sleuths.

 

All the Colours of the Dark:
Chris Whitaker talks to Edel Coffey

On his first visit to Ireland, global sensation and international bestselling author Chris Whitaker sat down with acclaimed writer and journalist Edel Coffey for an intimate conversation about his writing process, the inspiration behind his unforgettable characters, and how he weaves powerful human stories through gripping, suspenseful plots. 

Chris Whitaker (We Begin at the End) has stunned readers with his latest novel All the Colours of the Dark—a sweeping, emotional thriller that blurs the lines between hope and heartbreak, darkness and redemption.

 

SUNDAY 19th OCTOBER 2025

Readings in the Studio

Sunday morning (October 19th) stories leapt off the page and voices came to life with acclaimed authors Michelle Dunne (A Good Mother), Karen Fitzgibbon (Never Look Back), Conor McAnally (Bullets In The Water) and Jake Arnott (The Long Firm Trilogy). All four took to the stage sharing readings from their latest work— whether it’s sharp dialogue, lyrical prose, or unforgettable characters, each writer brought a unique perspective and style to this celebration of crime fiction.

 

The Devil’s in the Detail:
Steve Cavanagh with Anna Sharpe,
Jane Casey and Andrea Carter

Master of the legal thriller Steve Cavanagh lead a riveting panel discussion with legal experts, authors Anna Sharpe (Notes on a Drowning), Jane Casey (The Secret Room), and Andrea Carter (There Came A-Tapping) on the meticulous craft of building tension, planting red herrings, and creating stories where every detail matters.

From courtroom drama to small-town secrets, these acclaimed writers shared how they research, plot, and fine-tune their work to keep readers hooked—and guessing—until the very last page. It was the perfect event for all who are fascinated by the mechanics of mystery or were eager to sharpen their storytelling instincts

Strength of Character:
Tim Sullivan, Carmel Harrington AND Brian McGilloway talk to Michelle McDonagh

 

What makes a character truly unforgettable? Is it resilience, vulnerability, or the quiet courage to confront the unknown? Bestselling authors Tim Sullivan (The Bookseller), Carmel Harrington (The Stolen Child), and Brian McGilloway (The One You Least Suspect) sat down with writer and journalist Michelle McDonagh for a powerful discussion on character-driven storytelling.

From gripping crime fiction to emotionally rich dramas, these authors craft protagonists who linger in the mind long after the final chapter. Together, they explored how to build complex, compelling characters—flawed, fearless, and deeply human—and why it’s the people at the heart of the story who truly move us.

 

Evil Genius:
Ruth Ware and Steve Cavanagh with Michelle Dunne

 

What makes a truly brilliant villain—or a twist so clever it leaves readers breathless? International bestseller Ruth Ware (The Woman in Suite 11) and thriller powerhouse Steve Cavanagh (Two Kinds of Stranger) had a high-stakes conversation about plotting the perfect crime, writing razor-sharp suspense, and the deliciously dark minds that drive their stories.
In conversation with author Michelle Dunne, these two masters of misdirection revealed how they craft morally complex characters, ingenious plots, and those gasp-out-loud moments that have become their signature.

 

Murder One: Mystery for Kids

Many of us started reading crime and mystery with Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie, and there are some superb authors writing today whose books keep young readers just as hooked.

We had a very special mystery day at Murder One 2024 for school groups, featuring brilliant authors Natasha Mac a’Bháird, and Dave Rudden, plus  Ireland’s Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde.

 

The Tower Ghost Schools’ Event
with Natasha Mac a’Bháird

 

Credit Sarah Webb

In The Tower Ghost, three girls race to uncover the secrets of their haunted school – before a killer strikes again. Could YOU be a detective? Examine clues, interview suspects and solve a mystery! Author Natasha Mac a’Bháird explained how to write a whodunnit.

It’s a Mystery – Story Event for Schools
with Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde and Much-loved Author and Performer, Dave Rudden

This was the perfect event for amateur sleuths and ne’er-do-wells-in-training. We learned how to plot, scheme and snare our readers into thinking we were incredible mystery writers, while hiding clues, suspects and twists in plain sights. We also learned how to impress our hired goons, flummox our foes, and we learned why a good hat is crucial to committing the perfect crime…

And That’s a Wrap! Murder One 2024

‘I lived abroad until 2 years ago and I always travelled home to Dublin for the Murder One weekend. I love it. It is the highlight of my literary festival year and I always look forward to it.’ Jennifer Lindsay

‘One incredibly seriously awesome amazing brilliant weekend!’ GreenfingerPeter

These are just some of the fabulous comments that we received at Murder One 24 – another fabulous coming together of crime writers, crime readers and book sellers.

With the vital support of Arts Council Ireland and dlr Libraries we were delighted to bring you a thrilling weekend of murder and mystery – here are our 2024 events – sign up for our mailing list to get advance notice of our events for Murder One 2025 which will take place October 16th – 19th 2025!

Friday 18th October

The Plot’s the Thing: Masterclass
with International Bestseller
Catherine Ryan Howard

This was the ONLY masterclass Catherine did in 2024 and thus a Murder One exclusive!

We learned how to plot the perfect crime with the award-winning, no. 1 bestselling thriller writer Catherine Ryan Howard. This masterclass explored the mechanics of storytelling and the best methods for taking your idea from brain to blurb. Catherine shared each step of her own process, from interrogating the initial idea to getting to ‘THE END’ of the first draft, with sticky notes and spreadsheets in between. Even if you were more of a pantser than a plotter, this masterclass offered techniques, tips and tricks to help strengthen your storytelling and keep your readers turning the page.

How NOT to secure an agent – with Literary Agent Simon Trewin

You get one chance to impress an agent or publisher with your opening email and your submission package. How do you capture their attention and ensure that it hits all the right notes with the agent, to get them interested enough to start a conversation? Industry veteran Simon Trewin explained candidly what makes him stop and get drawn into a submission in this lively interactive workshop. He shared, crucially, the top ten most common mistakes prospective authors make. You would have believed Number 7!
Simon Trewin has been an agent for over 30 years and still gets a kick out of helping authors take that first precarious step forward. He represents Booker winner Paul Lynch and Crime Writer Sam Blake, and has a vibrant Irish client list.

Your Killer Pitch with Literary Agents Polly Nolan & Simon Trewin

Picking pitches at random, Simon Trewin and Polly Nolan critiqued as many as they could within the hour, answering key questions as they went and helping writers to understand the points that will give them that vital killer pitch to catch an agent’s attention. A great pitch can get you an agent, will be used to tempt a publisher and in turn to catch that reader. Getting it right can mean the difference between success and failure.

One of Us is Dead:  Peter James
in conversation with Breda Brown

Credit Ger Holland Photography

Peter James has written 20 Sunday Times No. 1s, sold over 23 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 38 languages.  Much loved by crime fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, and accurate portrayal of modern-day policing, James never disappoints.  In his latest novel, a man arriving late for a funeral notices another man who resembles an old schoolfriend, Rufus Rorke.  But Rufus died two years ago!  In One of Us is Dead, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace’s wits are tested to the limit. Peter James was in conversation with journalist, book reviewer and producer of Inside Books podcast, Breda Brown.

Saturday 19th October

4 x 15: Live Readings in the Studio

Credit Ger Holland Photography

Introduced by Sam Blake, four talented crime writers, Michelle Teahan, R.B. Egan, Michelle Dunne, and Kitty Murphy had 15 minutes each to hook the audience as they discussed and read their work!

With Friends Like These:
Karen Perry & Claire McGowan in conversation with Brian McGilloway

Credit Ger Holland Photography

What happens when someone you once called a friend suddenly becomes a threat?  They may know the darkest secrets of your past, but can they keep a secret?  What happens when a circle of friends turns into a tangled web of intrigue and danger? Keeping your friends close is one thing but when they get too close it’s time to beware the hand of friendship.  Author Brian McGilloway discussed the mercurial nature of friendship with Karen Perry and Claire McGowan.

Andrea Mara & C.L. Taylor
in conversation with Sam Blake

Credit Ger Holland Photography

Two of the top-selling crime writers in Ireland and the UK, Andrea Mara and C.L. Taylor are masters of domestic suspense. Their new novels, Someone in the Attic and Every Move You Make, feature not only ingenious and original premises, but enough twists to keep the reader in a state of high anxiety.  The authors discussed how they develop new, heart stopping ideas, and the tricks of the trade with fellow crime writer Sam Blake.

This Dark Island:
Michelle McDonagh, Sheila Bugler
& Fiona McPhillips
in conversation with Andrew Hughes

Credit Ger Holland Photography

“The past is never dead. It’s not even past,” William Faulkner once famously remarked.  We Irish are obsessed with the past. The memory of dark and dreadful events in our history endures for generations. From tragic events like the death of Ann Lovett, to deep family secrets, abuse and cover ups, it is small wonder then that our crime writers so frequently look to the past as inspiration.  Andrew Hughes discusses this dark island with fellow crime writers Michelle McDonagh, Sheila Bugler, and Fiona McPhillips.

Watching the Detectives,
From Page to Screen:
Jo Spain & Jane Casey
in conversation
with Professor John Deane-O’Keeffe

Credit Ger Holland Photography

Crime writers frequently attract the attention of filmmakers, as their books are ideal for TV drama.  Jane Casey’s standalone novel, The Killing Kind, recently hit the screen, and Jo Spain is both a novelist and screenwriter whose Harry Wild series is currently showing on RTE to rave reviews.  What are the unique qualities that render a crime novel suitable for a TV series and what is the process? How does it feel to see the characters in your head on the screen?  These two bestselling Irish writers discussed the issues with forensic criminologist, Professor John Deane-O’Keeffe.

Sunday 20th October

 4 x 15: Live Readings in the Studio

Credit Ger Holland Photography

Introduced by Sam Blake, four talented crime writers, Lucy O’Callaghan, Clara Dillon, James Murphy, and Claire Coughlan had 15 minutes each to hook the audience as they discussed and read their work!

Witness 8:Steve Cavanagh
in conversation with Edel Coffey

Credit Ger Holland Photography

Steve Cavanagh is the bestselling author of the Eddie Flynn novels and several standalone thrillers. In 2018 The Liar won the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger for crime novel of the year. In 2019 Thirteen won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the year.  All of his novels have either been nominated for awards or have won awards internationally and Witness 8 is sure to follow.  A former lawyer, Steve Cavanagh was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he still lives.  Edel Coffey went inside the court room to hear Cavanagh’s evidence on creating one of the greatest characters in crime fiction published today.

Knowing Your Place:
Stuart Neville, Amanda Cassidy
& Vaseem Khan
in conversation with Henrietta McKervey

Credit Ger Holland Photography

As well as thrilling plots and characters that leap off the page, our three authors all use location as an integral part of their stories.  Amanda Cassidy sets her new novel in a French chateau; Vaseem Khan’s Malabar House Series is set in 1950s India; and Stuart Neville’s new novel is set in the American West. Henrietta McKervey discussed the importance of place, and the opportunities it provides, in the novels of these three award-nominated and award-winning crime writers.

Inside Knowledge:
Graham Bartlett, Nadine Matheson & Andrea Carter
in conversation with Michelle Dunne

Credit Ger Holland Photography

With years of professional experience upholding the law, our three panellists have gotten close to the reality of the crimes featured in their gripping novels.  Nadine is a criminal solicitor,  Andrea was both a barrister and a solicitor, and Graham has over thirty years’ experience as a detective, firearms commander and city police chief.  Using their inside knowledge and blending fact and fiction, our experts discussed the influence of their professions with crime writer and former soldier Michelle Dunne.

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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