Tag: Catherine Kirwan

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 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.

 

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 Main Space Events 2019

Friday 1st November

The Gutter Bookshop 10th Birthday Celebrations @ The Gutter Bookshop

Join Bob Johnston and the Murder One team to celebrate Bob’s 10 years in Temple Bar – an informal evening of chat with some criminally good speeches – rub shoulders with your writer friends and colleagues to celebrate with one of
Dublin’s landmark independent bookshops!

The Gutter Bookshop  

Friday 1 November, 6.30pm | Free entry
Booking essential

Book now

Saturday 2nd November

Things that Go Bump in the Night: CJ Tudor & Stuart Turton in conversation with Sinéad Crowley

If you loved The Chalk Man and The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, this is the event for you.
Taking crime fiction in new directions, two incredible authors discuss inspiration, outstanding debuts and spine tingling goings on with bestselling crime author, RTE’s Sinéad Crowley. C.J. Tudor’s debut novel, The Chalk Man, was published by Penguin in January 2018 and was a Sunday Times Bestseller. Her second novel, The Taking of Annie Thorne, was published in February 2019. Stuart Turton’s The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle won the Books Are My
Bag Readers Award for Best Novel and the Costa First Novel Award 2018.

Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
11.00am -12.00 pm | €12/€10

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Destination Murder: Alex Barclay and Lucy Foley with WC Ryan

From a luxury inn on a remote west coast peninsula in Ireland, to a Scottish hunting lodge, these dark stories are told by two of crimes leading female voices. Chaired by WC Ryan, author of House of Ghosts, a man who knows a thing or two about dangerous, lonely places. Lucy Foley’s departure to the dark side is her fourth bestseller, and Alex Barclay, the first lady of Irish crime, brings us her first Irish set standalone in a gripping event that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
12.30pm-1.30pm | €12/€10

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Untold Stories: The Five. Hallie Rubenhold with Joseph O’Connor

Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from Fleet Street, Knightsbridge, Wolverhampton, Sweden and Wales. They wrote ballads, ran coffee houses, lived on country estates, they breathed ink-dust from printing presses and escaped people-traffickers. What they had in common was the year of their murders – 1888 – and their murderer, the man known as Jack the Ripper. Historian Hallie Rubenhold talks to Joseph O’Connor and sets the record straight, giving these women back their stories. Set just ten years previously, in his latest novel Shadowplay, O’Connor reveals the hidden stories of Bram Stoker’s life. Enter the dark world of Victorian London with two eminent authors.

Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
2.00pm-3.00pm | €12/€10

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Sam Blake’s Fresh Blood Meet three stunning debut authors: Holly Jackson, Catherine Kirwan and James Delargy

Three completely different stories, three completely different books but one passion. Find out how these authors got their break and what made the difference for them. How did they get their ideas and how long did it take to go from idea to bookshelf? From ingenious premise, to writing what you know, do good girls really get away with murder?

Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November                                                                                3.30pm-4.30pm | €12/€10

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Past Crimes: Jess Kidd, Henrietta McKervey and Paddy Hirsch with Declan Burke

From Things in Jars to Violet Hill, London’s only female 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 is due soon from No Alibi’s Press.

Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
5.00pm-6.00pm | €12/€10

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Martina Cole in conversation with Breda Brown

Martina Cole’s first novel Dangerous Lady caused a sensation when it was published, and launched one of the bestselling fiction writers of her generation. Twenty-seven years later, Martina has gone on to have more No.1 original  fiction bestsellers than any other author. She won the British Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year with The Take , which then went on to be a hit TV series for Sky 1.  Her new novel No Mercy was published by Headline in October.

Smock Alley Main Space
Saturday 2 November
7.00pm-8.00pm | €12/€10

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Sunday 3rd November

All About Agatha: John Curran and Andrew Wilson with Anna Carey

John Curran is one of the world’s leading experts on Agatha Christie and author of Agatha Christie’s Complete Secret Notebooks; Andrew Wilson brings her to life as the protagonist in his fiendishly plotted 1920’s mysteries – as AJ Finn put it, ‘Andrew Wilson’s Christie novels do Dame Agatha proud’. The latest, Death in a Desert Land takes Christie to 1928 Baghdad. Journalist and author Anna Carey discusses the living legend that is Agatha Christie, one of the world’s greatest crime writers with two authors whose lives she has influenced.

Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
11.00am-12.00pm | €12/€10

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Steve Cavanagh in Conversation with Andrea Carter

Multi award winning author of the phenomenal international bestseller Thirteen, Steve Cavanagh is back this year with Twisted. Barrister turned bestselling crime writer Andrea Carter discusses life, the law and stunning plot twists with one of Ireland’s most brilliant writers.

Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
12.30pm-1.30pm | €12/€10

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Watching the Detectives: John Banville, Jane Casey and Roz Watkins with Brian Cliff

Creating brilliant detectives is never easy, especially when so many great writers have left their mark on history. Mutli award winning authors John Banville (Benjamin Black), Jane Casey and Roz Watkins reveal who their fictional favourites are and why, and how they make their own characters stand out.  Brian Cliff is an Assistant Professor of English at Trinity College, Dublin. His most recent book is Irish Crime Fiction (2018), and he has published essays on authors including Emma Donoghue, John Connolly, Tana French, Paul Muldoon, and Deirdre Madden.

Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
2.00pm-3.00pm | €12/€10

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Staring Death in the Eye: Unnatural Causes, Pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd in conversation with Paul Carson

As the UK’s leading forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd has faced serial killers, natural disaster, ‘perfect murders’ and freak accidents, all in the pursuit of the truth. And while he’s been involved in some of the most high-profile cases of recent times, it’s often the less well-known encounters that prove the most perplexing, intriguing and even bizarre. In or out of the public eye, his evidence has put killers behind bars, freed the innocent and turned open-and-shut cases on their heads. In his bestselling memoir, Richard Shepherd gives a unique
insight into a remarkable profession, and above all a powerful and reassuring testament to lives cut short.

In conversation with international bestselling crime writer Dr Paul Carson, Shepherd will take you into his world where he stares death in the eye.

Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
3.30pm-4.30pm | €12/€10

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The Killer Pitch with Literary Agent Simon Trewin

Sam Blake chats to Simon Trewin about what catches an agent’s eye, famous hits and misses
and his top ten tips for writing a killer pitch. Giving examples of pitches that worked, find out how to make your book irresistible to a literary agent.

Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
5.00pm-6.00pm | €12/€10

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CrimeHawks: Three Must-Reads Before You Die

Rick O’Shea quizzes bestselling authors Catherine Ryan Howard, Louise Phillips and Liz Nugent on the three books they each recommend as lifetime must reads, bring your notebooks!

Smock Alley Main Space
Sunday 3 November
6.30pm-7.30pm | €12/€10


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