Event: ‘Past Crimes’ at Murder One

I’m delighted to be taking part in Murder One again, which, I hope, is in the process of establishing itself as an annual event. I’ll be hosting the ‘Past Crimes’ event on Saturday, November 2nd, which the blurb elves have rather neatly summed up as follows:

Past Crimes: Jess Kidd, Henrietta McKervey and Paddy Hirsch with Declan Burke
From Things in Jars to Violet Hill, London’s only female private detective, via Hudson’s Kill and the Irish gangs of New York, three novelists use the past as a backdrop to their page-turning adventures of deception, danger – and detection. Declan Burke, previously Dublin City of Literature’s Writer in Residence, is an award winning author whose latest book, The Lammisters, will be published in November by No Alibis Press.

Where: Smock Alley Main Space
When: Saturday 2nd November, 5.00pm-6.00pm
How much: €12/€10

  For all the details on the full cast of Murder One – which includes Lynda LaPlante, Martina Cole, Patricia Gibney, Steve Cavanagh, Jane Casey, John Banville, Liz Nugent, Alex Barclay, and a host of others – clickety-click here …

Books And The Stealing Thereof

A nice little piece in the Times this morning, about books and the stealing thereof (possible chief culprit, pictured right). Quoth the Times-ish person:

Crime books are extremely popular. According to PLR records, James Patterson, who mostly writes cop thrillers, is the most borrowed author from libraries. And books about crime are also frequently stolen - hence the works of Martina Cole, a prolific crime writer, appear high on the list. Her books are also among those most read in prisons, and she claims to be perfectly happy to be a target for thieves: “I think it’s great, personally. If people want my books badly enough to go and steal them, it’s a compliment, really.”

  Nice one, Ms Cole. The Big Question: Have you ever stolen a book? Feel free to use the ‘anonymous’ button when leaving a comment …
  I have, by the way. Actually, I stole my very first Chandler novel. In that case, at least, you’d have to say the end justified the means. But feel free to flay me with your moral indignation.