Category: News

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!!

Murder One ‘It would have been criminal to miss it!’

‘I always love being part of Murder One – it has rapidly become an important fixture in the literary calendar for anyone connected to the  crime and thriller genre. I also enjoy the fact it takes place in a library – it is impossible NOT to quietly look for a body, a dagger and a rapidly disappearing Colonel Mustard’
SIMON TREWIN – Literary Agent

We were thrilled with the success this year of Murder One Fest 2023, which was brought to you with the invaluable support of DLR Libraries. Back in it’s weekend format, October 6th-8th, we welcomed a host of Irish and international authors. We were delighted to have the wonderful Bob Johnston of The Gutter Bookshop on hand supplying everyone with books from both new, and already favourite, authors. Also a big thank you to Paul Sherwood Photography for all the fantastic photos which really capture the spirit of the festival.

Crime is one of the biggest-selling genres in the book business and Ireland boasts some of the world’s top crime writers. The festival showcased the cream of Irish crime writing talent with Tana French,  Jane Casey, Colin Walsh, Catherine Ryan Howard, Steve Cavanagh, Andrea Mara, Sam Blake, and Catherine Kirwan among those appearing on a range of solo events and hot-topic panels.

UK visitors included the hugely popular, Sophie Hannah, 2023 Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, Tom Benn, Alice Feeney, author of the phenomenally successful Daisy Darker, plus cosy crime specialist, British Book Awards winner Janice Hallett, and highly praised debutante, Alice Bell.

Once a name synonymous with breaking news of high-profile crime cases, Dr Marie Cassidy has turned her hand to crime fiction and she discussed her debut novel, Body of Truth, in conversation with bestselling crime writer, Liz Nugent. 

True crime fans were entertained by award-winning political journalist, Harry McGee whose book, The Murderer and the Taoiseach, retraces the extraordinary happenings in Dublin’s notorious Malcolm Macarthur murder case.

Wherever your tastes in the crime genre lie, we hope you were gripped by the plot of Murder One this year.

Join our mailing list below and we’ll  be able to notify you first of future events so you don’t miss out!

Murder One is run by crime author Sam Blake and festival director Bert Wright.

Two black chairs on a stage with posters
©Paul Sherwood Photographer

 

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

On March 26th we had an exciting evening at The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire  with Liz Nugent giving us all a wonderful opportunity to get right inside the  head of Strange Sally Diamond!

And on 20th June we were back at the Lexicon Library for a fantastic evening of crime with international bestseller Karin Slaughter.

Three faces looking at the camera

‘MURDER ONE has established a huge following among Irish crime fans in a short space of time and in a country that boasts so many successful crime writers, it’s a joy to get fans and writers together on an annual basis in an ideal location like Dun Laoghaire.’ – Bert Wright

 

A stage
©Paul Sherwood Photographer 

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“Literary festivals, writing festivals, readers’ festivals … however you wish to call an
event that brings readers and writers together … are magical spaces where magical things happen.
Being at Murder One has reminded me of that.” – Amy Gaffney

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.

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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