A SATURDAY WITH CRIME

SATURDAY 22nd JULY AT THEAKSTON OLD PECULIAR CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL
This is where they say that 'Fiction is the truth inside the Lie'

This morning the streets ran with water and was puddling on the pavements, even in the richness of Harrogate there are uneven pavements holding hollows. We just got wet and we're there for another nine o'clock start. We dried off as we sat and listened. It's great to be in England during summer.

SPECIAL GUESTS Arne Dahl and Joseph Finder in conversation with Mark Lawson. One writer Swedish and the other American. We went into the world of spying, conspiracy theories (or just made up stories), fake news and politics where the boundaries have changed. Of course Russia had to be mentioned and the belief that Trump was already in bed with Putin prior to presidential election. And the belief that it was orchestrated by that power, but with the conclusion who are the men behind The White House and names were mentioned. These will be two authors that I will take a look at.

SPECIAL GUEST: IAN RANKIN
The Great Hall with its greater capacity was where we heard Ian Rankin read some of his last book and be interviewed by Harriett Gilbert. He is good entertainment and down to earth. There were no pretensions in anything that he said. It was interesting to hear that he stated that he thought that he is a bad writer and forgets some details of previous books! Perhaps it is that ease with himself that makes his books so readable and the stories enjoyable. This theatre is a joy to be in. It is beautiful.

A PEOPLE CAMEO. Being a people watcher a man a few seats away heard his phone ring, he answered it had a quiet chat then put it away. Thoughtless bugger, I thought, and he was fat. There is prejudice at strange times.

NEW BLOOD Val McDermid introduced Fiona Cummins who writes dark stuff, Jane Harper who wrote Dry, Jospeh Knox (real name Nobbs) an insomniac and Kirsten Lepionka who has a bi-sexual character in The Last Place You Look and we have a copy. As Val says 'a sure-fire list of ones to watch' and with her humour and candour it was an entertaining hour. Just some more names to look for.

On the way to the bar they were giving away THE TALL MAN, a limited edition proof by Phoebe Locke and published by Wildfire, an imprint of Headline Publishing Group. Maybe it will be as good as one last year When I obtained a proof copy which proved to be one of my best reads for that year. It was My Sisters Bones by Nualla Elwood. I will have to check on what she has had published since then.

SPECIAL GUEST: DENNIS LEHANE
I have neither read his writing or seen the films that have been made from his work. This was the best hour, for me, that I have spent here. To sum it up in a few words is difficult. He lives in America and the subject of Trump arose once more. He is concerned about what is happening, but thinks that America will be able to come good again. He seems honest and straight forward in his views and strong enough to say what he thinks. I liked it when he said that since he was born in Boston he is an American with strong Irish roots. We have heard the opposite expressed and that is false. Obviously a writer that has achieved much. I will have to read one of his at least.

SPECIAL GUESTS: STUART MacBRIDE and PETER MAY.
Two men having a chat with the interviewer Danita Kean being poor. It was okay and fairly enjoyable, but since I have been to Harrogate before there was not that much in it for me.

Two full days have disappeared at speed and only two events left for Sunday morning.