2023's PROGRAMME - 2024 to come! THURSDAY 15th JUNE 4.30pm-6pm Lisa Jewell in conversation with Erin Kelly Sponsored by SWIM Lisa Jewell's first book Ralph’s Party was the best-selling debut of 1999, and since then she’s published another 19 novels. Despite initially finding fame as a ‘chick lit’ writer, Lisa confesses to always having been drawn to the darker side of life, and she now writes hugely successful psychological thrillers, outselling John Grisham and Stephen King. She joins Erin Kelly to discuss her latest novel, The Family Remains, and what’s behind her extraordinary evolution as a writer. BUY TICKETS
THURSDAY 15th JUNE 6.30pm-8pm Noir at the Bar (in the Upstairs Bar at the Marine Theatre) An evening of readings, conversation and laughter with established and emerging crime writers. All welcome and entry is free. FREE EVENT
FRIDAY 16th JUNE 10am-11.30am Cosy Crime – from Guilty Secret to Top of the Charts Cosy crime writers have long felt like Cinderella in crime circles, but with the arrival of Richard Osman, that’s all changed. With cosy topping the charts, three writers discuss their genre, and why they’re loud and proud. Panellists: SJ Bennett, Derek Farrell and Rachel Ward BUY TICKETS
FRIDAY 16th JUNE 12pm-1.30pm Where Past and Present Meet Sponsored by BAGLEY WOOD PRODUCTIONS A eunuch investigator in Ottoman-era Istanbul, a female detective in the heat and dust of 1950s Bombay, and a shell-shocked soldier solving a mystery in the divided Ireland of 1921. Three literary stars take you on a journey into the past, and discuss why historical crime can be a window on the present. Panellists: Jason Goodwin, Vaseem Khan and William Ryan Chair: Alec Marsh BUY TICKETS
FRIDAY 16th JUNE 2.30pm-4pm In the Heart of Darkness Murderers, psychopaths, abductors and serial killers. Crime fiction probes the darkest recesses of the human mind. Join three best-selling authors as they dive into crime’s murky psychological waters and ask whether there’s a line that can’t be crossed. Panellists: Katerina Diamond, Sam Holland and Alex North Chair: Fiona Cummins BUY TICKETS
FRIDAY 16th JUNE 4.30pm-6pm Spies like Us – from Fact to Fiction Our three panellists – an ex-M16 handler, a film-maker and an undercover journalist – discuss how tapping into personal experience brings grit and authenticity to their compelling novels. Panellists: Ava Glass, Jack Jewers and Holly Watt Chair: Greg Mosse BUY TICKETS
FRIDAY 16th JUNE 6.30pm-8pm Deadlier in the Dark Sponsored by THE GALLEY CAFE All the evidence points to the rude health of crime fiction. Even in our blackest hours, we turn to stories of darkness and death. Our panel of powerhouses shines a brilliant light on the persistent appeal of murder, mystery and detection. Panellists: Fiona Cummins, Erin Kelly and CL Taylor Chair: Sarah Hilary BUY TICKETS
SATURDAY 17th JUNE 10am-11.30am Crime Fiction – a Force for Change? ‘For me, crime fiction was an opportunity to sneak up on readers with social issues, something they won’t go out of their way to seek’, said US crime writer Laura Lipmann. Three writers discuss why crime fiction is a great vehicle for exploring social issues, and even a tool for change. Panellists: Holly Seddon, Nadine Matheson and Tina Orr Munro Chair: Ayo Onatade BUY TICKETS
SATURDAY 17th JUNE 12pm-1.30pm Too Close for Comfort Welcome to the neighbourhood, where curtains twitch, walls have ears, and everyone is watching. Our panel guides you through the nightmare of nosy neighbours, buried secrets and family feuds. You'll be glad you moved in. Panellists: Jane Casey, Sarah Hilary and Olivia Kiernan Chair: Rachael Blok BUY TICKETS
SATURDAY 17th JUNE 2.30pm-4pm To Plot or Not – the Big Debate Crime novels and thrillers are known for their intricate plots, compelling characters and killer twists. But how much planning goes into these books before the actual writing begins – and how much is just made up on the hoof? Join our panellists as they discuss the merits of plotting versus 'pantsing', share the times that books were born from a single line, and reveal the tricks that keep their writing fresh, and their readers guessing. Panellists: Leye Adenle, Neil Broadfoot and Ed James Chair: Derek Farrell BUY TICKETS
SATURDAY 17th JUNE 4.30pm-6pm Location, Location, Location At times, the setting of a book – a gritty urban sprawl, close-knit country town or windswept seaside community – can become another character, giving the author and the reader another narrative dimension to explore. Our panellists discuss how they depict the locations in their work, and how these settings sometimes mould the stories they tell. Panellists: Amen Alonge, Rachael Blok and SE Lynes Chair: Neil Broadfoot BUY TICKETS
SATURDAY 17th JUNE 6.30pm-8pm Why We Kill Sponsored by LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL and ALEXANDRA HOTEL & RESTAURANT What’s it like to be a murder trial judge and a witness to human good and bad? Wendy Joseph has just stepped down as one of only a handful of judges qualified to preside over murder trials at the Old Bailey. For the first time, she can talk about what it’s really like ruling on life-changing cases. She discusses her book Unlawful Killings, which explores why we kill, what happens in court and what this teaches us about the society we live in. Speaker: Her Honour Wendy Joseph QC Chair: Paddy Magrane BUY TICKETS