Chairing my favourite spy writer, Charles Cumming, and Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones, author of the first in-depth analysis of the Anglo-American intelligence relationship since the Great War. What's not to like?
Thursday 30 May:
2.40pm: CHRISTIE v CONAN DOYLE
I'll be the participating moderator trying to keep control of JOHN CURRAN, RAGNAR JONASSON, ANDREW LANE & GEORGE MANN
Evening: CRIMEQUIZ
Your Quiz Inquisitor
Friday 31 May:
4.00pm: ADAPTATIONS - PAGE TO...?
Chairing NEVILLE FOUNTAIN, DAVID HEWSON, ALISON JOSEPH, DENISE MINA
Saturday 1 June:
12.30-13.20pm: THE POWER OF AUTHORS: ARE YOU IN CHARGE OF YOUR CHARACTERS? On a panel with RUTH DOWNIE, JOHN MATTHEWS & ANDREW PEPPER, moderated by FERGUS McNEILL
2.10pm: Chairing FELIX FRANCIS & SAMANTHA NORMAN
Sunday 2 June:
CRIMINAL MASTERMINDS: in the black chair to defend (i.e: lose) my title.
I'll be talking as part of Crime Month about how deceitful and scheming crimewriters need to be to do their job well. The other liars? Other writers, of course...
Delighted to be chairing this intriguing event with acclaimed ornothologist TIM BIRKHEAD - and, yes, that is JAMES WATSON of Double Helix fame.
A couple of questions for the great Mr GAIMAN before he inspires a mix of students and the public.
Looking forward to teaching an intensive fiction summer school at the beautiful MISSENDEN ABBEY in Bucks for the first time.
Further details on: www.missendenabbey.co.uk
My non-fiction account of the Great Train Robbery, researched at the National Archives, has been attracting a lot of interest in this anniversary year. This talk (admission free) is one of a series in which writers talk about using the Archives for research.
THURSDAY 8 AUGUST
PLATFORM 2, PICKERING RAILWAY STATION, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Fifty years to the day after the Great Train Robbery I'll be giving an illustrated talk based on my book about it. It's a talk arranged by Pickering Library but appropriately enough I'm doing it at the railway station, home of the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway. More details to follow.
FRIDAY 9 AUGUST
NORTON LIBRARY, MALTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Continuing my series of illustrated talks about The Great Train Robbery of August 1963 in its anniversary year.
Details to follow.
Had a great time in 2012 and just heard (at the start of May) they have me in their sights to go back this year. Can't wait to be part of this terrific celebration of Scottish crime-writing.
Small but perfectly formed festival - bit of an overlap with Bloody Scotland on dates but hope I can do both.