‘The Bestseller’ by Jenny Knightsby

Published by Mountain Leopard Press,
18 June 2026.
ISBN: ‏978-1-03543631-6

The Bestseller, Jenny Knightsby’s debut novel, is impressive, and not only because it is her first attempt at crime fiction. Although, by profession, a full-time NHS hospital doctor based in West London, in this book Knightsby quickly establishes herself as a confident and accomplished part-time author. She writes in fluent, flowing prose, offering authentic-sounding dialogue and pin-sharp observations. Her plot maintains a quick pace and is replete with surprising twists and turns. Best of all, the novel is peopled by all-to-believable characters—flawed but often engaging—harboring their own secrets and lies. It is probable that Kingsby’s years of meeting and treating the public on the wards and observing people at their most vulnerable accounts for the authenticity of the insights into human nature that are such an attractive feature of this novel.    

Knightsby has confessed to an interest in psychologists and people working in publishing, and both types appear in The Bestseller. It is the story of couple’s therapist Helena who finds one patient, a beautiful young woman named Belle, particularly challenging. She has never met Julius, Belle’s husband, because Belle is reluctant to admit to him that she has even engaged the services of a therapist. Helena becomes convinced Julius is a coercive individual who engages in the domestic abuser’s tricks of gaslighting and insults (and, on occasion, compliments and presents) to ensure his wife’s compliance and unquestioning obedience to his wishes. What she perceives as Belle’s plight so arouses Helen’s fascination and indignation, coupled with fear that her patient is in danger, that she breaks the therapist’s cardinal rule of confidentiality, relating details of the case to her best friend Tala, an unsuccessful novelist. Helena’s and Tala’s relationship goes back to university days when, with Dylan—who later becomes Helena’s husband—they were best friends and roommates. In the second timeframe, there is a palpable tension between Dylan and Tala that Helena is at a loss to explain. 

In a nod to recent trends in crime fiction, The Bestseller is told in two timelines—the period when the three friends were students and the present, when they are adults in their thirties—and through two perspectives: those of Tala and Helena. Knightsby manipulates this technique, like the best of crime fiction writers, to add nuance and subtlety to her story. 

Tala’s publication of a book called Your Enemies Closer propels the action of Knightsby’s addictive thriller. After stealing a proof copy of the book, Helena is horrified to find it seems to be based on what she has confided to her friend about Belle and Julius’s relationship. To her dismay, Tala’s book becomes wildly popular: a ‘bestseller’. Helena is terrified that her disclosure of private details of a patient’s therapy might destroy her career but, even more, fears that Belle and, possibly, even she and her husband might be in danger from a Julius infuriated by the public exposure of his darkest secrets.   

This is a book to savour and enjoy while also one that sets the pulse racing. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Wendy Jones Nakanishi/aka Lea O’Harra. 

Jenny Knightsby grew up primarily in London and has lived in New York, Winnipeg, Leeds, and Nice. She worked as an NHS hospital doctor, a career that honed her storytelling and observational skills, before transitioning to fiction writing. Her debut novel, The Bestseller, is a psychological thriller that has already received critical recognition, being shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2024, the Spotlight First Novel Award, and the Cinnamon Literature Award. 

Lea O’Harra.  An American by birth, did her postgraduate work in Britain – an MA in Lancaster and a doctorate at Edinburgh – and worked full-time for 36 years at a Japanese university. Since retiring in March 2020, she has spent part of each year in Lancaster and part in Takamatsu on Shikoku Island, her second home, with occasional visits to the States to see family and friends. An avid reader of crime fiction since childhood, as a university professor she wrote academic articles on it as a literary genre and then decided to try her hand at composing such stories herself, publishing the so-called ‘Inspector Inoue mystery series’ comprising three murder mysteries set in rural, contemporary Japan. She has also published two standalone crime fiction novels.

‘The Chapel of Bones’ by Kate Ellis

Published by Constable
6 August 2026,
ISBN: 978-0-349-44296-9 (HB)

In one of my recent reviews, I wrote about my guilt in how long it had taken me finally to get round to reading one of Barbara Nadel’s acclaimed novels – and now I have to admit the same about Kate Ellis. If my counting is accurate, ‘The Chapel of Bones’ is the 30th novel in her series featuring DI Wesley Peterson, the first of which was published in 1998. Better late than never, as I believe they say. The wait has certainly been worth it. 

A mummified body is found concealed behind a wall during renovations at Sycamore House in Devon. It is identified as that of Dr Aleric Donnal, a generally solitary academic whose research focussed on the medieval history of Devon. He had not been seen for over a decade during which time the house was occupied by a hippy commune who believed that the site had sacred properties. The leader of the commune, now dead, was related to the Fontescues, a wealthy local family. As Peterson starts to investigate Donnal’s death, Dr Neil Watson (an archaeologist) is informed by the house’s new owner that she has found stonework suggestive of an ancient chapel in the grounds. Watson and his university students start a dig. 

Before long a murder takes place. It is of an apparently inoffensive widow who is well-liked by everyone and whose main activities are flower arranging in the church, singing in the choir and taking part in medieval re-enactments (she was about to be an ale-wife). There seems to be no reason for her death. As Peterson looks into her murder he is forced to wonder whether it is linked to that of Donnal. As the investigation proceeds, the backgrounds of both murdered people are revealed as more complex. Donnal’s research at the time of his death concerned the representation of animals in medieval literature, with bestiaries a particular interest. An intemperate local artist who specializes in paintings of grotesque animals comes under suspicion, as do goings-on past and present at a rather down-at-heel local zoo. Kidnappings of local dogs are also taking place, one of them involving a pet belonging to the family of one of Peterson’s team. Ransoms are involved. 

There is another strand to the novel. Excerpts from Donnal’s notebooks, not yet found by Peterson’s team, are quoted from time to time. Initially we are aware that Donnal had stumbled on details of Brother Anselm, a monk and spy for the Lancastrian side in the 15th century, whilst he was looking for attitudes towards strange beasts in the medieval religious mind. Anselm mentions ‘secrets he would rather the penitent did not share.’ Donnal wonders what these secrets are as well as the identity of the penitent. 

Needless to say, Peterson’s investigation gradually reveals more and more about the past of local families as he and his colleagues work towards a satisfying conclusion. When I say that ‘The Chapel of Bones’ is an easy read, this is most certainly not a criticism – quite the opposite. Ellis skilfully marshals all her threads in a thoroughly engaging style. Short chapters keep the action moving swiftly along. 

Another of the many merits of the novel, as far as this reviewer is concerned, is that Peterson’s team is refreshingly free of the back stories, jealousies and relationships (amatory or otherwise) that so often take over in series. They may keep readers keen to know what happens in the next instalment, but they can sometimes seem rather to overshadow the plot. ‘The Chapel of Bones’ concentrates on a highly complex investigation which is run by an apparently well-adjusted and supportive group of detectives who don’t appear to be neurotic, alcoholic, suffering from broken relationships or otherwise badly scarred by what life has thrown at them. Hurray, says this reviewer! 

And in case you haven’t yet got the message, I am very happy to recommend this highly enjoyable novel.
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Reviewer: David Whittle

Kate Ellis was born in Liverpool and studied drama in Manchester. She worked in teaching, marketing and accountancy before first enjoying writing success as a winner of the North-West Playwrights competition. Crime and mystery stories have always fascinated her, as have medieval history and archaeology which she likes to incorporate in her books. Kate's novels feature archaeology graduate Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson who fights crime in South Devon.  Each story combines an intriguing contemporary murder mystery with a parallel historical case. She has also written five books in the spooky Joe Plantagenet series set up in North Yorkshire as well as many short stories for crime fiction anthologies and magazines. Kate was elected a member of The Detection Club in 2014. She is a member of the Crime Writers Association, Murder Squad, and Mystery People. She is married with two grown up sons and she lives in North Cheshire, England, with her husband. Her most recent book is The Chapel of Bones,

www.kateellis.co.uk

David Whittle is firstly a musician (he is an organist and was Director of Music at Leicester Grammar School for over 30 years) but has always enjoyed crime fiction. This led him to write a biography of the composer Bruce Montgomery who is better known to lovers of crime fiction as Edmund Crispin, about whom he gives talks now and then.

‘Red Verdict’ by James Comey

Published by Head of Zeus,
4 June 2026.
ISBN: 978-1035922710 

Nora Carleton is Deputy United States Attorney for New York Southern District.  During her career she has prosecuted a variety of criminals including dangerous gang leaders and domestic terrorists.  It’s just as well, because in this novel she finds herself working on a perilous case involving ruthless Russian agents who are intent upon stealing U.S. military secrets. 

The story begins as Edgar Perez goes to his favourite restaurant, tucks into his favourite dish, and promptly dies!  When first responders arrive on scene, they find that some other diners are also in a critical condition.  The casualties are taken to hospital where a sharp-eyed medic discovers traces of what might be a nerve agent on the body of the deceased.  She alerts the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and further tests suggest that the victims have been exposed to Novichok, a noxious chemical favoured by Russian assassins.  It then transpires that Perez worked for Grand Central Avionics, a firm making armed drones for the United States Military.  A working theory proposes that Perez has been passing military information to Russian handlers, that he somehow failed them, and that he was killed as a warning to other assets.  

FBI undercover agents are already working to confirm their theory and mop up any more Russian assets and/or handlers they can find.  The problem is that any prosecution they bring forward could get tangled up in counterintelligence red tape.  Meanwhile, the fact remains that a cold-blooded murder has been committed on U.S. soil and a routine criminal investigation will facilitate this in a timely and appropriate manner.  Nora’s boss, U.S. Attorney Carmen Garcia, agrees.  She’s none too pleased that there’s been such a brazen attack on American citizens in her own back yard and authorises Nora and her team to handle the case in the normal way whilst the undercover operation continues.  It will be difficult as well as dangerous. 

The characters in the novel fall into two camps.  The international or home-grown criminals and spies are, with few exceptions, depicted as unpleasant human beings.  Relatable characters include the law-abiding citizens of New York and particularly those who work to uphold the law on the streets and through the courts.  Whilst these folk are not always flawless, they try to do the right thing, and it is pleasant spending time with them.  Nora, appropriately, inspires the most empathy as she juggles motherhood and employment.  She is fully committed to doing her job with energy and integrity and invariably puts others before herself.  Nora’s team are tight and supportive of each other.  They rub shoulders with some terrifying people in tense situations, but carry the burden lightly, professionally and, when appropriate, with humour. 

Red Verdict is the fourth Nora Carelton thriller.  It can be read perfectly well as a stand-alone novel.  The fascinating courtroom drama at the heart of the narrative includes just the right amount of technical detail for the reader to feel they have learned something about America’s judicial system without being overwhelmed.  James Comey’s knowledge is awesome, his research is meticulous, and his storytelling thoroughly engaging.  

A super read and highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Dot Marshall-Gent

James Comey was born in New York City and attended the attended the College of William and Mary and the University of Chicago Law School. He worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in New York, prosecuting organised crime figures, and worked on terrorism cases as assistant DA in Virginia. He served as the seventh Director of the FBI from 2013 until 9 May 2017, when he was fired by President Donald trump. 

Dot Marshall-Gent worked in the emergency services for twenty years first as a police officer, then as a paramedic and finally as a fire control officer before graduating from King’s College, London as a teacher of English in her mid-forties.  She completed a M.A. in Special and Inclusive Education at the Institute of Education, London and now teaches part-time and writes mainly about educational issues.  Dot sings jazz and country music and plays guitar, banjo and piano as well as being addicted to reading mystery and crime fiction.  

‘The Honourable Member for Murder’ by David Weir

Published by Allison & Busby,
20 August 2026. 
ISBN: 978-0-7490-3379-8 )PB

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the elegant doors of Parliament? Who really does the work, sorts the problems, finds solutions to the issues raised by the likes of you and me? David Weir worked behind the scenes in those hallowed surroundings for quite a few years – and it's a well known adage that if you want to know what really happens, it's the people behind the scenes who have the best view. 

The inner workings of the Palace of Westminster were made hilarious on TV by Yes, Minister; Weir has chosen to do it in book form. With a murder or two thrown in to make it more interesting. 

Eliot Oakcroft MP is best described as clueless. He's also lazy, self-important and ambitious, and far more interested in which attractive lady to take for lunch than in doing anything productive. Most people see through him – the parliamentary hierarchy certainly have – and it's down to his longstanding chief of staff Maxwell Murray and Max's sharp-as-a-tack assistant Diana to pick up the pieces and ensure Eliot is where he should be and when. 

Eliot has been shunted by the Whips into the chair of a committee charged with considering miscarriages of justice, and one morning an e-mail arrives from Miranda Cley, a young woman who believes her mother Rebecca has been wrongly imprisoned for the murder of her father Charlie. Eliot decides that investigating the case will give his career an invaluable boost – which naturally means that Maxwell and Diana have even more work than usual to do. 

Charlie Cley is quickly revealed as a bit of a character, a chancer and Lothario who fronts – or fronted – a PR company, in partnership with his far more sensible – and money-wise – brother Tim. Miranda is young, pretty and prone to tears, and Rebecca just wants it all to be over. What emerges from Max and Diana's investigation is a tangled web of monumental proportions. Eliot wafts around the sidelines, showing Miranda  around the House, offering to take Rebecca to lunch at every opportunity, while Max and Diana encounter several well-portrayed minor characters, uncover fraud, corruption and all manner of nefarious doings with the able assistance of Max's sister Ronni, an investigative journalist who is even sharper than Diana and has some very useful skills. 

Is Charlie Cley really dead? And more important, will Eliot Oakcroft MP rise to the dizzy heights of junior minister on the back of the investigation? And will Max, Diana and Ronni's sterling work receive any credit at all? If you enjoyed Yes, Minister (and who didn't?), you'll enjoy finding out.  
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Reviewer: Lynne Patrick. 

Lynne Patrick has been a writer ever since she could pick up a pen, and has enjoyed success with short stories, reviews and feature journalism, but never, alas, with a novel. She crossed to the dark side to become a publisher for a few years and is proud to have launched several careers which are now burgeoning. She lives in Oxfordshire in a house groaning with books, about half of them crime fiction.

Bloody Scotland Newsletter Five Weeks to Go

 

In this newsletter issue we'll be introducing you to this year's Pitch Perfect gang, reminding you that you still have time to enter our Bloody Scotland Whisky giveaway and telling you about some of the well kent faces joining us at the festival this year.

Meet our 2026 Pitch Perfect Cohort

It'll soon be time for our favourite event of Bloody Scotland - Pitch Perfect. Our annual book pitching competition has launched many a writing career. Past winners include: Kate Foster, D.V. Bishop, Alison Belsham, Matt Wesolowski and Joseph Knox. 

Thank you to everyone who applied this year. We were delighted to receive so many entries. There were so many fantastic submissions to choose from, you really made our job very difficult.

Without further ado, we're delighted to introduce you to this year’s cohort.

From left to right, top row: Ellen Jackson (In Too Deep), Zuzi Pope (Murder at the Grand Hotel), Christopher Kestell (His Mortal Agony), Rebecca Benton (A Cold Case in Time),

Bottom row: Caroline Grebbel (Song of the Trojan Mothers), Angela Dixon (The Weight of Blood), Susan Kemp (Tied), Laura Buckley (Lavender Slayer).

Our amazing line up will be at Stirling's Central Library on Sunday the 20th of September at 12 noon, where they'll each have just three minutes to pitch their novel and wow our judging panel, who are on the lookout for new and impressive crime writing talent. 

This year our judges include: Literary Agent, Diana Beaumont, Journalist and author Lisa Howells (Crime Monthly), and Stephen Cameron, Creative Director of Into Books.

The event is now sold out, but the lucky people who have already secured their ticket, will be in for a treat. A huge congratulations to all of our finalists. We can't wait to listen to your pitches. Wishing you all the very best of luck.

Win a Bottle of 
Bloody Scotland's 2026 Whisky

Bloody Scotland's official 2026 Whisky is now on sale. Independent Fife-based bottlers, Fib, have made us our own official dram to help us celebrate the festival in style. Drawn from a single Oloroso sherry barrique and bottled at natural cask strength, this whisky is completely unfiltered - just as nature intended. There are only 100 bottles to be had - so if you'd like some, you'd better quick.

There's also still time to enter our Fib Whisky
 competition to win a bottle.
To be in with the chance of winning, email: dawn@bloodyscotland.com
and tell us the event you're most looking forward to seeing at Bloody Scotland this year.

The competition closes on the 31st of August 2026.
All entrants must be over the age of 18 at the point of entering.
Drink responsibly.

Don't I know them from somewhere?
Famous faces at this year's festival

This week we're highlighting some of the famous faces on this year's programme.
You've seen them on your TV screen, and now you can see them live on our Stirling stages!

Femmes Fatales:
 Liz Nugent, Harriet Tyce (Traitors) and Andrea Mara

 Saturday 19th September - 13:15pm

Three superb authors, three novels overflowing with brilliant characters, three books that will have you questioning everything that you read. This should not be missed.

Liz Nugent unveils possibly her most unforgettable creation yet in her latest deliciously dark novel The Truth About Ruby Cooper. There is twist after twist and the truth is always just out of reach in the exceptional Witch Trial by Traitors’ star Harriet Tyce. Friendship, truth and lives are on the line in the relentlessly suspenseful Such a Nice Girl by the brilliant Andrea Mara. This event will be chaired by broadcaster Bryan Burnett. 

In Conversation: Jeremy Vine
and Matthew Sweet

Seize your ticket for two talented and entertaining speakers who

guarantee an hour of laughs and insight into the world of books and

television.

One of the most familiar faces on television (and voices on radio) has turned his considerable talents to crime fiction. Turn the Dial for Death is Jeremy Vine’s fabulous second book featuring radio presenter Edward Temmis. Matthew Sweet is the genius behind Bookish, the hit TV series starring Mark Gattis. His second novel, Bookish Volume 11, sees Gabriel Book investigating a mystery that’s haunted him for a decade.
This event will be chaired by broadcaster Nicola Meighan.

Nice and Cosy: Janice Hallett, Steve Higgs, Olly Smith 

Saturday 19th September - 10:00am  

Get comfortable for an hour of charm and criminal creativity in the company of

three doyens of dastardly delight.

The Silent Appeal is the hugely anticipated sequel to Janice Hallett’s runaway bestseller, The Appeal as murder strikes in Lower Lockwood. A retired detective and his dog Rex Harrison are on the trail of criminals and tasty treats in Steve Higgs’ hilarious Pork Pie Pandemonium. TV wine expert Olly Smith pours his heart into a vintage cosy crime tale with his corking and full-bodied debut Death by Noir.

This event will be chaired by broadcaster Nicola Meighan.

The Housing Crisis is Murder: Nasheema Lennon,

Andi Osho, Samantha Dooey-Miles

Saturday 19th September - 16:45pm 

Trying to get a foot on the housing ladder has become the stuff of

nightmares and these three authors have somehow managed to make it even scarier. Buying a house at auction is just Kaitlin’s first mistake in Nasheema Lennon’s gripping psychologic thriller Going, Going, Gone. A couple go to desperate ends to get their own home in Most Wanted, a hilarious satire from comedian and actor Andi Osho (Blue Lights, Line of Duty & I May Destroy You?) Jemma would kill to end the housing crisis – one landlord at a time – in Under the Hammer, Samantha Dooey-Miles’ darkly comic parody.

This event will be chaired by author Emma Christie.

That's all from us this issue. See you back here next week.
For more information about Bloody Scotland and to view our upcoming events, visit: www.bloodyscotland.com 

‘His Final Patient’ by J.S. Monroe

Published by Head of Zeus,
13 August 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-801109437-1 (PB)

Thanatophobia.  It’s a strange word. The dictionary defines it as a fear of death so extreme that it interferes with everyday living.  Now imagine a scenario where a psychiatrist claims to be able to predict not only the date of a patient’s death, but the actual hour and minute. 

DI Silas Hart is a happily married family man in his late fifties.  He knows he is overweight and keeps meaning to make those life changes that will protect him from his mother’s fate.  She died aged fifty-seven, and deep down, Silas fears that the same thing will happen to him.  Every nightmare he has pushes him closer to this imagined deadline. 

Now he is pitted against the psychiatrist Dr Rory Garstan, a charismatic man who exercises great influence over the troubled and vulnerable people he counsels.  Is Garstan so powerful that he merely has to tell a patient the date and time of his death for the prophecy to come true, or are there other forces at work? Has he actually weaponised thanatophobia? And why does he appear to have Silas in his sights? 

Two deaths shake the foundations of everything Silas believes.  One is a suicide.  A terrified man presents himself at the police station, asks for Silas by name, and then shoots himself.  The other death is far more disturbing. Once again, the man asks for Silas.  The minutes tick past and he becomes more and more agitated, until, without apparent cause, he dies at the exact minute foretold. 

The story unwinds at a satisfying pace, with part of it told in flashback.  The reader is kept guessing until the final unexpected mystery is revealed.  A chilling, immersive and inventive book with an interesting cast of characters, told by a master storyteller.
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Reviewer: Jane Andreoli 

J.S. Monroe After reading English at Cambridge University, he worked as a freelance journalist in London, writing features for most of Britain's national newspapers, as well as contributing regularly to BBC Radio 4. He was also chosen for Carlton TV's acclaimed screenwriters course. Between 1998 and 2000, he was Delhi correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, and he also wrote the Last Word column in The Week Magazine (India) from 1995, when he lived in Cochin, South India, to 2012. His first novel, The Riot Act ,was  published by Serpent's Tail. Dead Spy Runnin', his third novel and the first in the Daniel Marchant (or 'Legoland') trilogy, was published by HarperCollins and has been translated into five languages. Jon lives in Wiltshire with his wife and three children. 

Jane Andreoli. I have been in love with words ever since my mother read me bedtime stories before I could read for myself. As a writer, I enjoy creating mysteries with twists in their tails, and I love a well-crafted plot. My literary heroes are Jane Austen for her superb social observations, Shakespeare for the amazing way he crunched the English language into new shapes to express his emotions, Margery Allingham for her satisfyingly convoluted plots and Phil Rickman for his masterful command of supernatural atmosphere.  I also love Douglas Adams and Sir Terry Pratchett for their humour, satire, and social commentary. I have an honours degree in English, but fortunately that was so long ago that I have forgotten all those pretensions and rediscovered the joy of creative writing.  I am now a published author, currently working on my next book. I have just reached that delicious stage where the characters become autonomous and start making their own decisions.  Anything could happen and probably will. 

‘I Think We Should Kill Other People’ by L.M. Chilton

Published by Head of Zeus,
9 April 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-035920761 (PB)

Such an unusual, but completely unputdownable book. Set in a reality TV show, where two people are to marry and, according to the researcher of the television show, live happily ever after. 

In this case the Cinderella who meets her Prince Charming, is an impoverished and out of work waitress, with a father who has served time in jail. The prince is the son of a billionaire drinks manufacturer. They have been flown to Iceland to get married in a castle there. Unfortunately, our Cinderella loses her nerve and runs away at the last minute. She gets as far as the airport only to find there are no planes, as a bad snowstorm has grounded everyone. She then finds herself waiting at the airport along with the billionaire’s family, all trying to get home. A murder takes place and while we are trying to work out who, from the family and our Cinderella was where, in this deserted airport, another murder happens. 

Now no one is safe, and no one can be trusted. And AI becomes a main character.

The plot is much more complicated than one thinks at the beginning, as, is the case of every good murder mystery. Things reveal themselves slowly and show us a completely different story. 

We are kept on our toes as whether this will turn out to be a romance where they will live happily ever after, or a set -up and a much darker story. 

As I speedily turned the pages, all loose ends started to tie in, and I realised this isn’t what I thought it was. It is in fact, an extremely well put together jigsaw of a story, meticulous in planning and playing out. 

This is a very clever book. It kept me guessing all the way through. It is also highly entertaining, and extremely page-turning. I lost a night’s sleep as I couldn’t put it down, so I read it in one go. I very much recommend this book, as much as I look forward to the next from L.M. Chilton, a very clever writer.
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Reviewer: Linda Regan
Lindareganonline.co.uk

L.M. Chilton is a journalist with fifteen years' experience working on TV shows such as This Morning, Loose Women and The One Show, as well as writing columns for Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Metro and The Mirror. He lives in London, thinking of twists for murder mysteries while practising the banjo, much to the annoyance of his neighbours. Don't Swipe Right is his debut novel.

Linda Regan is the author of nine crime novels. She is also an actor. She holds a Masters degree in critical writing and journalism, and writes a regular column, including book reviews, for three magazines. She also presents the book-club spot on BBC Radio Kent. She is an avid reader and welcomes the chance to read new writers.

  Linda's most recent book is
 The Burning Question
click on the title. 
www.lindareganonline.co.uk

Durham Book Festival

Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant leads star-studded

Durham Book Festival line-up celebrating stories forged in the North

Neil Tennant, Christopher Eccleston, Susanna Clarke, James Marriott, Lucy Foley, Hollie McNish and Louise Doughty
headline 2026 festival

Durham Book Festival’s 2026 line-up features some of the UK's most exciting writers, thinkers, performers and broadcasters exploring literature, politics, history, music, and poetry.

Taking place from 9–11 October, mainly at Gala Durham, this year's festival features music icon Neil Tennant, actor Christopher Eccleston, and an array of bestselling and award-winning writers including Susanna Clarke, Lucy Foley, Louise Doughty, Kit Fan, and Sarah Hall
and poets Hollie McNish and Kayo Chingonyi.

Tickets are now on sale for the festival, which is a Durham County Council event produced by New Writing North.  In addition to the best-selling line-up, the festival will include an action-packed programme of activities and workshops at council-run libraries linked to the 2026 National Year of Reading.

Festival highlights this year include Tyneside-born Neil Tennant, who will join Durham University Chancellor and former US presidential adviser Fiona Hill for an exclusive talk as part of the Forged in the North series, exploring how the North East shaped one of Britain's most influential songwriters.
The event coincides with the 40th anniversary
of Pet Shop Boys' debut album
and the reissue of Tennant's One Hundred Lyrics and a Poem.

Hill also talks to The Times columnist James Marriott – also from Tyneside - whose acclaimed work explores the impact of smartphones on reading, human cognition and democracy, themes developed through his BBC Radio 4 series How Reading Made Us and his debut book The New Dark Ages.

One of Britain's most acclaimed fantasy writers makes a rare public appearance as Susanna Clarke discusses her new Durham-inspired novella, 
The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City.
Set in 1110, this atmospheric prequel to the bestselling Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will be explored in the very city that inspired and anchors its story.

Award-winning actor Christopher Eccleston and poet Jo Clement take part in a special live recording of the Working-Class Library podcast, celebrating the legacy of the late poet Tony Harrison.

Lucy Foley's bestselling thriller The Hunting Party has been selected as the festival's 2026 Big Read, with 3,000 free copies distributed through libraries, schools, hospitals and community organisations across the North East to celebrate the National Year of Reading. A Durham University graduate, Foley will also discuss Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel, her landmark commission for the Agatha Christie estate, introducing a brand-new Miss Marple, picking up Christie’s reins 50 years on.

Bestselling novelist Louise Doughty (Apple Tree Yard, Platform Seven) joins filmmaker Nicola Wilding to discuss their new memoirs, while acclaimed poet Hollie McNish teams up with Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen for an evening of poetry, humour and performance. The Poetry Book Society Showcase also brings together three of the UK's most exciting contemporary poets -
Clementine Ewokolo, Helen Mort and Padraig Regan.

Rebecca Wilkie, Durham Book Festival Director at New Writing North, said: "We're delighted to be back celebrating stories rooted in the North, while welcoming voices from across the UK and beyond. Working-class writing is a major theme, from the legacy of Tony Harrison to our exciting showcase, New Northern Voices. The festival is also firmly rooted in place, exploring how the North East has shaped writers, artists and their work.”

Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “Durham Book Festival is not only a longstanding and popular event on the county’s cultural calendar, but it’s now a firm favourite on the UK literary scene too. Each year it delivers a fantastic programme of talks, events and activities that entertain and inspire people of all ages.

“What’s more, it attracts thousands of people into Durham city centre, helping to boost the local economy, while also promoting our wonderful libraries and cultural venues.

“The festival is ultimately about spreading the joy of reading and writing, and – thanks to the return of the Big and Little Read and the activities taking place in our libraries – this tradition is set to continue in 2026. In fact, this year is extra special as it coincides with the National Year of Reading, a campaign that encourages people to get behind the pages of a book. We have a programme of activities taking place throughout the year and Durham Book Festival is of course one of the highlights.”

Other festival highlights include North East thriller writers, Jo Murray and Rebecca Philipson, a social history of Newcastle United with Dan Jackson, and the feminist writers Clare McGlynn and Natasha Walter tackle the urgent issues of online misogyny and women’s rights.

A new short stories commission for the podcast Sleep Stories sees acclaimed writers Romalyn Ante, Naomi Booth and Sarah Hall join sleep scientists to discuss the challenges of getting a good night’s kip. And the festival embraces innovative storytelling, with a festival ‘Game Jam’ and discussion on the relationship between gaming and fiction.

Subjects range from Greek mythology to Tarot reading, with comedy from the Door-to-Door poet, Newcastle’s Rowan McCabe. There’s a chance to indulge with local restauranteur Anna Hedworth and food writer Kit Fan, and swoon over Regency romance with the Georgette Heyer continuation novelist, Sophie Iriwn in conversation with The History Gossip influencer, Katie Kennedy.

The festival continues its commitment to championing emerging northern talent with events for aspiring authors keen to learn about the publication process, and a day-long writing workshop with Faber Academy author, Amy Key.

Founded in 1990, Durham Book Festival is part of Durham County Council’s Art Council supported National Portfolio Organisation festival programme. It is produced by New Writing North, with additional support from Durham University.

 Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean (Arts and Humanities), at Durham University, said: “The Festival embodies the very best of our university: curiosity, creativity and the vibrant exchange of ideas. Each year, it brings an extraordinary wealth of talent to our city, including graduates, University colleagues and our Chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill, creating opportunities to challenge and connect. We celebrate the enrichment it brings—not only to our university, but also to the wider community, fostering cultural experiences that resonate long after the festival ends.”

Tickets are on sale now, with many events also available via livestream.

For the full programme and to book tickets visit 
www.durhambookfestival.com.