Category: News

Murder One 2023: The Programme!

Running from 6th-8th October, Murder One is thrilled to be supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries again this year, and we have a gripping programme for you – come and join us at the LexIcon Venue in Dun Laoghaire for a weekend of crime! See below for our  Murder One 2023 programme of events.

Book now to ensure your seat!

FRIDAY 6TH OCTOBER

Not Just Crime – Meet the Editors

Friday, October 6th at 11.00am
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon

Tickets €10 & €8 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

Three top Irish editors who publish both fiction and nonfiction, discuss their submission process and what they are looking for with Sam Blake. This event isn’t just for crime writers – if you’re writing non fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction or poetry, book in to find out more. Deidre 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

Friday, October 6th at 1.00pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon

Tickets €10 & €8 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

Whether you write for children or adults, literary fiction, crime or science fiction, book now to hear three top agents, Ivan Mulcahy, Polly Nolan and Simon Trewin, reveal what they are looking for in a book. Sam Blake will be asking their tips for your submission package and how to impress an agent, plus the common mistakes they see every day, you cannot afford to miss it.

BOOK HERE

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

Friday, October 6th at 8.00pm
4th Floor dlr LexIcon
Tickets €15 plus booking fees

BOOK HERE

Dr Marie 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. Dr Cassidy will be discussing her thriller with bestselling crime writer, Liz Nugent.

Body of Truth is a gripping story of the secrets of the mortuary that is uncovered with scalpel-like precision. Dr Terry O’Brien has recently arrived in Ireland from Scotland to take up a position as state pathologist. Soon after, a body is found in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Rachel Reece, host of the popular true crime podcast Ireland’s Missing Women, has been brutally murdered. As Terry gathers evidence to help with the police investigation, she becomes convinced that they are following the wrong line of inquiry and begins her own research. She soon finds herself in the thick of cold cases of murdered Irish women, with questions mounting. What did Rachel Reece find out about the unsolved murder of Eileen McCarthy before she died? Who is feeding Terry anonymous information about the podcaster’s endeavours? And why do the powers that be seem to want to thwart her at every turn? Another woman is found murdered and, as pressure mounts on the gardaí to find the perpetrator, Terry’s post mortem reveals something that might hold the key to everything. But a killer is closer than she knows. And their next victim is firmly within their sights . . .

BOOK HERE

SATURDAY 7TH OCTOBER

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

Saturday, October 7th at 11.00am
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €12 & €10 plus booking fees  BOOK HERE

Award-winning political journalist, Harry McGee retraces the happenings of the long hot summer of 1982 and the ramifications of the notorious Malcolm Macarthur murder case. 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!

BOOK HERE

3 x 10 Readings in the Studio

Saturday, October 7th at 12.30pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon

Free but booking required: BOOK HERE

3 talented crime writers,  Kitty Murphy, Gill Perdue and Casey King, have 10 minutes each to hook you as they discuss and read their work ! Introduced by Sam Blake, their books will be on sale in our bookshop and they will be signing after the event.

BOOK HERE

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

Saturday, October 7th at 1.30pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €12 & €10 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

Getting that first longed for publishing deal is one of the most thrilling experiences any writer will have. Sam Blake quizzes 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.

BOOK HERE

3 x 10 Readings in the Studio

Saturday, October 7th at 3.00pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon

Free but booking required BOOK HERE

3 talented crime writers, Joe Joyce, Gaye Maguire and Liza Costello, have 10 minutes each to hook you as they discuss and read their work! Introduced by Sam Blake, their books will be on sale in our bookshop and they will be signing after the event.

BOOK HERE

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

Poster for Murder One Festival featuring four women

Saturday, October 7th at 4.00pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon

Tickets €12 & €10 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

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

BOOK HERE

French Connections:
Tana French in conversation with Karen Perry

Saturday, October 7th at 6.00pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €15 & €12 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

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. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Tana – a rare participant on the festival circuit – discussing her work and career with close friend Karen Perry.

BOOK HERE

SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER

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

Sunday, October 8th at 11.00am
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €12 & €10 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

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. Listening to these fiercely independent writers on the question of genre should be a truly enlightening experience.

BOOK HERE

Complicit: Winnie M Li in conversation with Remie Michelle Clarke

Winnie M Li & Remie Michelle Clarke poster for Murder One FestSunday, October 8th at 1.00pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon
Tickets €12 & €10 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

This event is being 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 discusses 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.

BOOK 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

Sunday, October 8th at 3.00pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon

Tickets €12 & €10 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

Three of Ireland’s favourite bestselling authors, Catherine Ryan Howard, Andrea Mara and Catherine Kirwan, discuss how true-life events and locations have 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?

BOOK HERE

On the Shoulders of Giants: Christie, Highsmith & Sayers

Sunday, October 8th at 5.00pm
The Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon

Tickets €15 & €12 plus booking fees BOOK HERE

Three of our greatest contemporary crime writers discuss 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. Find out what it is that brings today’s authors back to the classics in what promises to be a fascinating discussion!

BOOK HERE

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BOOKING PAGE FOR ALL EVENTS

Murder One ‘It would be criminal to miss it!’

‘Murder One has rapidly become a vital cornerstone of the literary calendar and the energy and excitement  generated by their calendar of online and offline events mean it would be criminal to miss it!’
SIMON TREWIN – Literary Agent

We are absolutely thrilled with the success of Murder One ’22, brought to you this year with the invaluable support of The Arts Council and DLR Libraries. We welcomed a host of Irish and international authors and live streamed the majority of our events for an online audience who were able to interact with our guests via social media.

The recordings of the events are available now to watch back at our You Tube Channel  or scroll down to view individual events.

Watch out for our exciting 2023 events, starting with three must see authors -and keep October 7/8 free in your diary! Scroll down to join our mailing list to hear the news first 🙂

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

Next up, we have an evening with Karin Slaughter in June – scroll down to book!

Karin Slaughter in Conversation with Edel Coffey

Tuesday 20th June 8pm LexIcon Level 4, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin

Tickets €15/€12  BOOK HERE

Murder One is thrilled to welcome International No 1 bestselling author Karin Slaughter back to Ireland in what will be a gripping event focused on her new book After That Night, which features the return of GBI investigator Will Trent and medical examiner Sara Linton in their 11th electrifying thriller.

Fifteen years ago, Sara Linton’s life changed forever when a celebratory night out ended in a violent attack that tore her world apart. Since then, Sara has remade her life. A successful doctor, engaged to a man she loves, she has finally managed to leave the past behind her.

Until one evening, on call in the ER, everything changes. Sara battles to save a broken young woman who’s been brutally attacked. But as the investigation progresses, led by GBI Special Agent Will Trent, it becomes clear that Dani Cooper’s assault is uncannily linked to Sara’s. And it seems the past isn’t going to stay buried forever …

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. She will be chatting to journalist and crime writer Edel Coffey in an evening that you cannot miss.

Karin Slaughter in Conversation with Edel Coffey, Tuesday 20th June 8pm LexIcon Level 4, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin

Tickets €15/€12  BOOK HERE

This is event is run in association with National Crime reading month

National Crime Reading Month Logo

Join our mailing list below and we’ll  be able to notify you first of future events so you can be sure to get tickets.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST to keep in touch with Murder One, Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival

* indicates required




Audience feedback:
Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into MurderOne and especially for coming up with the idea in the first place! You and your team put on an excellent event and I enjoyed all the talks I attended over the three days. Looking forward to next year already.
Jennifer

Watch Back: Murder One Online & Live Stream Events 2022

Murder in the Library: Online Only Events

Laura Lippman in conversation with Declan Hughes

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 in conversation with Henrietta McKervey

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.

Join our mailing list for Murder One event news, special offers, author  exclusives and to keep in touch!

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!

 

Look Back Murder One 2021: Murder In The Library

THIS EVENTS HAVE NOW PASSED

 

Murder One are delighted to be supported by the DLR LexIcon for their 2021 events, and will be running a special event in conjunction with the Dublin Book Festival and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.

Join us for our Monday Night Murder Club and get your week off to a deadly start! Our events are online and free but booking is required.

Find out more about our 2021 Murder One authors here.

Event quick link menu, click to book our free events (full details below):

Masterclasses Quick links (click here or see below for full details)

The Murder One Masterclasses are €25 each per person plus booking fees and numbers are limited so don’t leave your booking to chance!

Creating Compelling Characters  with Sam Blake, Olivia Kiernan and Andrea Mara.  Sat 6th Nov 2pm-4pm

Killer Opening Chapters with William Ryan, Nadine Matheson and Femi Kayode. Sat 13th Nov 10.30am-12.30pm

How to Write a Bestselling Crime Novel with Sophie Hannah Sat 20th Nov 10am -12.00

Murder One Masterclass: On the Editor’s Desk with William Ryan, Stefanie Bierweth (Quercus Books) and Sarah Hodgson (Corvus Atlantic) Sat 27th Nov 10.30am-12.30pm

Murder One in the Library Event Details:

Deadly Women with Vaseem Khan

Monday 8th November 8pm      FREE but booking required

Both Adele Parks and Jane Casey have stepped into new worlds with gripping psychological thrillers – both with strong female leads. Vaseem Khan, the award winning creator of Inspector Persis Wadia, India’s first female detective, quizzes them on the what, where, and how, and why women make such compelling lead characters.

Adele Parks was born in North Yorkshire. Selling over 4 million books in the UK and translated into 31 languages, she is the author of twenty bestselling novels including the recent Sunday Times Number One hits Lies Lies Lies and Just My Luck. Both optioned for development for TV in conjunction with Netflix producers. She’s an ambassador for The National Literacy Trust and a judge for the Costa. Adele has lived in Botswana, Italy and London, and is now settled in Guildford, Surrey, with her husband, son and cat. Both of You is Adele’s 21st book in 21 years.

Crime is a family affair for Jane Casey. Married to a criminal barrister, she has a unique insight into the brutal underbelly of urban life, from the smell of a police cell to the darkest motives of a serial killer. This gritty realism has made her books international bestsellers and critical successes; while Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan has quickly become one of the most popular characters in crime fiction.

Winner of the Mary Higgins Clark Award for The Stranger You Know, Jane has been shortlisted four times for the Irish Crime Novel of the Year Award and longlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award. She is a top ten Sunday Times bestselling author. Her No 1 bestseller, standalone thriller The Killing Kind is out now.

Vaseem Khan is the author of two crime series set in India, the Baby Ganesh Agency series set in modern Mumbai, and the Malabar House historical crime novels set in 1950s Bombay. His first book, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was a Times bestseller, now translated into 15 languages. The second in the series won the Shamus Award in the US. In 2018, he was awarded the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Award for Literature. Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. In 2021, Midnight at Malabar House won the Crime Writers Association Historical Dagger. His latest book is The Dying Day about the theft of one of the world’s great treasures, a 600-year-old copy of Dante’s The Divine Comedy, stored at Bombay’s Asiatic Society.

Book HERE

Crime in the City

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 9th November  7pm    FREE but booking required

Presented by Dublin Book Festival in partnership with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Murder One

Join Vanda Symon, Awais Khan and Lilja Sigurðardóttir in conversation with Sam Blake for an evening of crime! Crime writers from four UNESCO Cities of Literature: Dublin, Lahore, Dunedin and Reykjavík meet to discuss the influence their home cities have had on their writing, how crime fiction crosses geographical divides and what prompted them to start a life of crime. Also available as a Podcast

Vanda Symon is a crime writer, TV presenter and radio host from Dunedin, New Zealand, and the chair of the Otago Southland branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors. The Sam Shephard series has climbed to number one on the New Zealand bestseller list, and has also been shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel and for the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger. She currently lives in Dunedin, with her husband and two sons.

Awais Khan is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Durham University, and studied creative writing with Faber Academy. His debut novel, In the Company of Strangers, was published to much critical acclaim, and he now regularly appears on TV and radio. Awais also teaches a popular online creative writing course to aspiring writers around the world. He lives in Lahore and is currently working on his third novel.

Icelandic crime-writer Lilja Sigurðardóttir was born in the town of Akranes in 1972 and raised in Mexico, Sweden, Spain and Iceland. An award-winning playwright, Lilja has written four crime novels, with Snare, her English debut shortlisting for the CWA International Dagger and hitting bestseller lists worldwide. Trap soon followed suit, with the third in the trilogy Cage winning the Best Icelandic Crime Novel of the Year, and was a Guardian Book of the Year. Lilja’s standalone Betrayal, was shortlisted for the Glass Key Award for Best Nordic Crime Novel. The film rights have been bought by Palomar Pictures in California. Lilja is also an award-winning screenwriter in her native Iceland. She lives in Reykjavík with her partner.

Based just outside Dublin, No 1 bestseller Sam Blake is the founder of the Murder One International Crime writing festival, a board member of the Society of Authors and of the Crime Writers Association. Her debut novel ‘Little Bones’ (Bonnier 2016) was No 1 in Ireland for four weeks, remained in the top 10 for another four, and was shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year. It launched the bestselling Cat Connolly trilogy. Moving away from police procedurals Sam is keeping a focus on strong female characters, writing psychological thrillers: ‘Keep Your Eyes On Me’ went straight to No 1 in January 2020 and ‘The Dark Room’ hit the bestseller list in January 2021

Book HERE

Murder Under the Microscope

Monday 15th November 8pm  FREE but booking required

Ex State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy will be in conversation with Professor Jim Fraser in what will be one of the most enthralling discussions online this year.

Professor Fraser is a forensic scientist who has been involved in some of the biggest cases in recent UK history. Professor Dr Marie Cassidy was Ireland’s State Pathologist from 2004 until 2018 and involved in many high-profile cases that grabbed national headlines. The two experts in their fields will draw on their experience to discuss what can and cannot be discovered in the lab, how essential the chain of evidence is, how evidence-gathering must be meticulous and what can go wrong if it isn’t.

Professor Jim Fraser is a forensic investigator who has been involved in hundreds of murder investigations as an expert witness and cold case reviewer. He has given evidence many times as an expert witness. A Research Professor in Forensic Science at the University of Strathclyde and a Commissioner on the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, he has advised many public agencies including police organisations in the UK and abroad, the Home Office, the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament. He is the author of Murder under the Microscope. Find out more at http://www.jimfraser.net

Professor Dr. Marie Cassidy was Ireland’s State Pathologist from 2004 until 2018. During that time, she was involved in many high-profile cases, including the Stardust exhumation and the deaths of Siobhan Kearney, Rachel O’Reilly, Robert Holohan and Tom O’Gorman. In her memoir, Beyond the Tape, she invites us into the world of forensic pathology, and shares her remarkable personal journey, from working-class Glasgow to becoming Ireland’s head pathologist.

Book HERE

Murder in Mind: Val McDermid in conversation with Liz Nugent

 Monday 22nd November 8pm   FREE but booking required

Number one bestselling crime novelist, Val McDermid, discusses her new novel, 1979, with our own Liz Nugent in what is sure to be a sparky and marvellously engaging event.  In 1979 Val kicks off her first new series in nearly twenty years with the story of Allie Burns, a young investigative journalist whose work leads her into a world of corruption, terror, and murder.

It’s only January, and the year 1979 has already brought blizzards, strikes, power cuts, and political unrest. For Allie Burns, however, someone else’s bad news is the unmistakable sound of opportunity knocking, a chance to escape the “women’s stories” to which her editors have confined her. Striking up an alliance with budding investigative journalist Danny Sullivan, Allie begins covering international tax fraud and a group of Scottish ultranationalists aiming to cause mayhem ahead of a referendum on breaking away from the United Kingdom. Their stories quickly get attention and create enemies for the two young up-and-comers. Drawing on McDermid’s own experiences as a young journalist, 1979 is redolent of the thundering presses, hammering typewriters, and wreaths of smoke of the Clarion newsroom. A journey to the past with much to say about the present, it is the latest pitch-perfect, suspenseful addition to Val McDermid’s crime pantheon.

Val McDermid’s novels have been translated into forty languages, and have sold over seventeen million copies. A remarkably versatile writer, as well as novels, Val has written radio plays, short stories, non-fiction and even a children’s book and has won many awards internationally, including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. She was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame in 2009, was the recipient of the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2010 and received the Lambda Literary Foundation Pioneer Award in 2011. In 2016, Val received the Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and in 2017 received the DIVA Literary Prize for Crime.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Liz Nugent worked in Irish film, theatre and television. Her novels – Unravelling Oliver, Lying in Wait and Skin Deep and Our Little Cruelties have been Number One bestsellers in Ireland and she has won four Irish Book Awards (two for Skin Deep). She lives in Dublin with her husband.

Book HERE

A Narrow Door: Joanne Harris in conversation with Declan Burke

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 29th November 8pm  FREE but booking required

Multi genre international bestseller Joanne Harris discusses the inspiration behind A Narrow Door, her writing process and what made her turn to crime, with author, editor and journalist, Declan Burke.

Joanne Harris (MBE) was born in Barnsley in 1964, of a French mother and an English father. She studied Modern and Mediaeval Languages at Cambridge and was a teacher for fifteen years, during which time she published three novels, including Chocolat (1999), which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche .

Since then, she has written 18 more novels, plus novellas, short stories, game scripts, the libretti for two short operas, several screenplays, a musical and three cookbooks. Her books are now published in over 50 countries and have won a number of British and international awards. She is an honorary Fellow of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, has honorary doctorates in literature from the universities of Sheffield and Huddersfield, and has been a judge for the Whitbread Prize, the Orange Prize, the Desmond Elliott Prize, the Betty Trask Award, the Prima Donna Prize and the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science, as well as for the Fragrance Foundation awards for perfume and perfume journalism (for which she also received an award in 2017).

She is a passionate advocate for authors’ rights, and is currently the Chair of the Society of Authors (SOA), and member of the Board of the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).

Declan Burke is an award-winning author and editor. His novel Absolute Zero Cool won the Goldsboro Award in 2012. Books to Die For (2013), co-edited with John Connolly, won the Anthony Award for Best Non-Fiction Crime. The Lammisters, a comic novel, is published by No Alibis Press.

Book HERE

Murder One Writing Masterclasses

For crime writers everywhere we’ve created a series of masterclasses for you to hone your writing skills and kick start your Work in Progress.

Please note that while all our Masterclasses run on a Saturday, the START TIMES VARY, so please make a note! Eventbrite will automatically send out a reminder link prior to the event but do put it in your diary!

Murder One Masterclass: Creating Compelling Characters

With bestselling authors Sam Blake, Olivia Kiernan and Andrea Mara

€25 plus booking fees.

Saturday 6th November 2pm-4pm Book HERE

While plot is vital in crime writing, characters are the lifeblood of great fiction. If you want your reader to remember your book long after they put it down, you need to create compelling characters that resonate with them. Whether you are creating serial or standalone characters, Sam Blake reveals her process and cross examines her expert witnesses bestselling authors Olivia Kiernan and Andrea Mara on theirs.Find out how to create a character that will captivate an agent and how to build your readership from book to book with characters readers’ cannot forget!

 

 

Murder One Masterclass: Killer Opening Chapters

With multiple award shortlisted William Ryan, Nadine Matheson and Femi Kayode

€25 plus booking fees

Saturday 13th November 10.30am-12.30pm Book HERE

The first 3 chapters of your book are crucial to get right, not only to hook an agent or editor, but to hook your reader – how do you make them the best that they can be? William Ryan will explain the essential ingredients to create a killer opening and is joined by critically acclaimed debut authors Nadine Matheson and Femi Kayode to explain how they did it.

 

Murder One Masterclass: How to Write a Bestselling Crime Novel with Sophie Hannah

€25 plus booking fees

Saturday 20th November 10am -12.00 Book HERE

International bestseller Sophie Hannah will take you through her top tips for writing a bestelling crime novel, teaching participants:

  • how to massively increase your chances of success
  • how to change incorrect, unhelpful and limiting beliefs
  • how to avoid unnecessary suffering
  • how to thrive in the face of the psychological and emotional challenges that life as a writer brings with it
  • how to start and finish the best possible book you can write, and how to use Sophie’s amazing Literary Diagnostics method (which is very different from editing), to take your writing to the next level.

 

 

Murder One Masterclass: On the Editor’s Desk

With multiple award shortlisted William Ryan, Stefanie Bierweth (Editorial Director Quercus Books) and Sarah Hodgson (Editorial Director Corvus Atlantic)

€25 plus booking fees

Saturday 27th November 10.30am-12.30pm Book HERE

Find out what two of London’s top editors are looking for in crime fiction! William Ryan outlines what you need to know to submit to succesfully submit to agents, what goes into your covering letter and how to write a synopsis. Joined by the Editoral Directors of Quercus and Corvus, William has successfully assisted numerous authors to publication – this is a must do masterclass for anyone looking to submit, both William and the editors are ready to answer your questions!

Look Back Murder One Masterclasses 2021

For crime writers everywhere we’ve created a series of masterclasses for you to hone your writing skills and kick start your Work in Progress.

Please note that while all our Masterclasses run on a Saturday, the START TIMES VARY, so please make a note! Eventbrite will automatically send out a reminder link prior to the event but do put it in your diary! Find out more about our authors here.

Masterclasses Quick links (see below for full details)

The Murder One Masterclasses are €25 each per person plus booking fees and numbers are limited so don’t leave your booking to chance!

Creating Compelling Characters  with Sam Blake, Olivia Kiernan and Andrea Mara.  Sat 6th Nov 2pm-4pm

Killer Opening Chapters with William Ryan, Nadine Matheson and Femi Kayode. Sat 13th Nov 10.30am-12.30pm

How to Write a Bestselling Crime Novel with Sophie Hannah Sat 20th Nov 10am -12.00

Murder One Masterclass: On the Editor’s Desk with William Ryan, Stefanie Bierweth (Quercus Books) and Sarah Hodgson (Corvus Atlantic) Sat 27th Nov 10.30am-12.30pm

Murder One Masterclass: Creating Compelling Characters

€25 plus booking fees.

Saturday 6th November 2pm-4pm Book HERE

While plot is vital in crime writing, characters are the lifeblood of great fiction. If you want your reader to remember your book long after they put it down, you need to create compelling characters that resonate with them. Whether you are creating serial or standalone characters, Sam Blake reveals her process and cross examines her expert witnesses bestselling authors Olivia Kiernan and Andrea Mara on theirs.Find out how to create a character that will captivate an agent and how to build your readership from book to book with characters readers’ cannot forget!

Murder One Masterclass: Killer Opening Chapters

€25 plus booking fees

Saturday 13th November 10.30am-12.30pm Book HERE

The first 3 chapters of your book are crucial to get right, not only to hook an agent or editor, but to hook your reader – how do you make them the best that they can be? William Ryan will explain the essential ingredients to create a killer opening and is joined by critically acclaimed debut authors Nadine Matheson and Femi Kayode to explain how they did it.

 

Murder One Masterclass: How to Write a Bestselling Crime Novel with Sophie Hannah

€25 plus booking fees

Saturday 20th November 10am -12.00 Book HERE

Sophie Hannah will take you through her top tips for getting the correct mindset for writing a bestelling crime novel, teaching participants:

  • how to massively increase your chances of success
  • how to change incorrect, unhelpful and limiting beliefs
  • how to avoid unnecessary suffering
  • how to thrive in the face of the psychological and emotional challenges that life as a writer brings with it
  • how to start and finish the best possible book you can write, and how to use Sophie’s amazing Literary Diagnostics method (which is very different from editing), to take your writing to the next level.

 

Murder One Masterclass: On the Editor’s Desk

€25 plus booking fees

Saturday 27th November 10.30am-12.30pm Book HERE

Find out what two of London’s top editors are looking for in crime fiction! William Ryan outlines what you need to know to submit to succesfully submit to agents, what goes into your covering letter and how to write a synopsis. Joined by the Editoral Directors of Quercus and Corvus, William has successfully assisted numerous authors to publication – this is a must do masterclass for anyone looking to submit, both William and the editors are ready to answer your questions!

Look Back Murder One 2020 with Dublin Book Festival

In a year when live performances have had to be rethought, we were delighted to work with the Dublin Book Fesitval to bring you The Murder One Festival  2020 in a series of boutique online events. All events were presented digitally for audiences to enjoy at home.

Murder One with Dublin Book Festival 2020 headline with an event in association with Eason:

Dr. Marie Cassidy, Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of a State Pathologist

on 11th October 2020

Former State Pathologist Dr. Marie Cassidy will release her memoirs Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of a State Pathologist this October and to mark this Dr. Cassidy will be in conversation to discuss translating her experiences into her memoirs.

“For over thirty years, bodies have been my business. The lucky ones have died peacefully in their own bed, surrounded by loved ones. But, life, or should I say death, is not always like that. This is your opportunity to duck under the police tape with me. Walk carefully in my footprints and follow me into the scene but don’t touch anything, just look. Remember Locard’s principle, every contact leaves a trace . . .”

The ticket price of €20 includes access to this exclusive event via a custom url link and a signed copy of Beyond the Tape. Ticketholders will receive their signed copy of the novel in the post as quickly as possible after its release date on 1st October 2020. Instructions on how to view the event via your custom url will be sent to all ticket holders in advance of the event.

Dr. Marie Cassidy was Ireland’s State Pathologist from 2004 until 2018. During that time, she was involved in many high-profile cases, including the Stardust exhumation and the deaths of Siobhan Kearney, Rachel O’Reilly, Robert Holohan and Tom O’Gorman. In Beyond the Tape, she invites us into the world of forensic pathology, and shares her remarkable personal journey, from working-class Glasgow to becoming Ireland’s head pathologist. A fascinating, behind-the-scenes account of real-life forensics, the intricate processes central to solving modern crime, and the stories from behind the crime tape.

#MurderOneFest2020  #DBF2020 #EasonEvent

The Dublin Book Festival

Since 2006 the Dublin Book Festival has been a mainstay of the Irish writing and publishing scene and a highlight of the literary year. With its special focus on Irish-published authors, the 2020 Festival continues that tradition of promoting and supporting Irish literary voices, both established and emerging. This year the festival will be presenting its programme online from 27th November to 6th December, due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The festival will be running events every week throughout the Autumn in the run-up to the festival, many in collaboration with publishers, arts organisations and other literary festivals, for families, schools and book lovers of all ages to enjoy from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

The programme will showcase the wealth of talented authors published in Ireland, supporting our home-grown talent and publishers. Events will be presented from many of our usual attractive and intimate venues throughout Dublin city, even if audiences cannot attend in person, authors will bring the unique character of these Dublin locations to their virtual events.

The Dublin Book Festival has always been one of collaboration, and in 2020 the range of these partnerships has grown. The festival will host events in collaboration with literary festivals including Listowel Writers’ Week, IMRAM, Belfast Book Festival, Cuirt International Literature Festival and Murder One, literary organisations such as Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, Dublin City Libraries, Children’s Books Ireland, Poetry Ireland and many more. In a time when the arts are struggling Dublin Book Festival will bring together as many as possible, to work together to showcase the breadth of talent in Ireland today.

Other events include:

Dublin UNESCO City of Literature in association with Dublin Book Festival: Dublin One City One Book: Christine Dywer Hickey in conversation with Niall MacMonagle and musical performances (Thursday 24th September)

Dublin Book Festival and Eason present: Graham Norton in conversation with Rick O’Shea (Sunday, 4th October)

Dublin One City One Book: Christine Dywer Hickey in conversation with Niall MacMonagle and musical performances  Join us for a special evening with Christine Dwyer Hickey, author of this year’s Dublin One City One Book choice Tatty. Christine will be in conversation with literary critic Niall MacMonagle in the beautiful setting of Kevin Street Library, Dublin. She will discuss Tatty, her varied writing career, and in particular how music influences her writing.

Musical interludes will be contributed by pianist Leonora Carney, trumpeter Colm Byrne and piper Donnacha Dwyer.

Tatty was originally published in 2004 and earlier this year a special Dublin One City One Book edition, with a new introduction by Dermot Bolger, was published by New Island Books. Christine recently won the 2020 Dalkey Literary Award and the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction for her most recent novel The Narrow Land. This event is in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.

This event will be available to watch online via www.dublinbookfestival.com and www.rte.ie/culture. Please note that you will need to register in advance to watch the event.

Graham Norton, Home Stretch, (4th October)   To celebrate the October release of his new novel Home Stretch, Graham Norton will join RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea in conversation, to discuss his new novel, his writing process, and his love of literature.

This exclusive event will take place with a link sent to all ticket holders in advance of its airing on 4th October 2020. Price of admission includes a signed copy of Home Stretch, which ticket holders will receive by post as quickly as possible after its release date on 1st October. Instructions on how to view the event via your custom url will also be sent to all ticket holders in advance.

Graham Norton’s novels Holding and A Keeper were an Irish bestsellers and loved by readers everywhere. His new novel, Home Stretch begins in 1987 where a small Irish community is preparing for the wedding of two of its young inhabitants. They’re barely adults, not so long out of school and still part of the same set of friends they’ve grown up with. As the friends head home from the beach that last night before the wedding, there is a car accident. Three survive the crash but three are killed. And the reverberations are felt throughout the small town.

Connor, the young driver of the car, lives. But staying among the angry and the mourning is almost as hard as living with the shame, and so he leaves the only place he knows for another life. Travelling first to Liverpool, then London, by the noughties he has made a home – of sorts – for himself in New York. The city provides shelter and possibility for the displaced, somewhere Connor can forget his past and forge a new life.

But the secrets, the unspoken longings and regrets that have come to haunt those left behind will not be silenced. And before long, Connor will have to meet his past.

This event is co-presented with Eason.

The Dublin Book Festival is supported by Arts Council of Ireland, Irish Copyright Licensing Agency, Dublin City Council, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.

All events will be presented digitally for audiences to enjoy at home.

Tickets can be booked at – dublinbookfestival.com