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.
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.
Evil Genius:
Ruth Ware and Steve Cavanagh with Michelle Dunne
