CRIME-THRILLER bookworms are in for a treat this September as a leading Scottish crime writer comes to South Shields.
For one night only, the Queen of Crime, Val McDermid, will be hosting An Audience With event at the town’s state-of-the-art cultural centre, The Word: National Centre for the Written Word.
The evening, held from 7pm on Friday 1 September, will see McDermid discuss her successful career, how she became a number one best seller and her suspenseful new novel, Insidious Intent.
Audience members will also be given the opportunity to ask the author any burning questions about her life, career and characters.
Val McDermid, 62, has sold over 15 million books to date and is perhaps best-known for her Wire in the Blood series, featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan, which was adapted for television starring Robson Green.
She has also written three other series’, including private detective Kate Brannigan, journalist Lindsay Gordon and, most recently, cold case detective Karen Pirie. In addition, she has published several award-winning standalone novels, two non-fiction books and a children’s picture book, My Granny is a Pirate.
Her latest novel, Insidious Intent – which she will be discussing on the night – sees Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan tackle their latest crime investigation in the North of England.
Tania Robinson, Head of Marketing and Culture for The Word: National Centre for the Written Word said: “We’re delighted to be bringing an author of Val McDermid’s calibre to South Shields.”
“She is an excellent writer and her long, successful career demonstrates this. We’re looking forward to welcoming her to The Word, and hope crime-fiction fans from across the North East will join us for what is set to be a fantastic evening.”
The Word celebrates the written word in all its forms through a rolling programme of events, exhibitions and workshops.
The state-of-the-art cultural centre also boasts a lending library of more than 70,000 books, as well as activities and facilities for people of all ages, from a digital media wall and FabLab to an immersive storytelling experience and interactive touch-tables.
The building is also home to OpenZone which provides digital learning and ICT to schools.
Tickets for An Audience With Val McDermid cost £3 and can be booked online, by visiting www.theworduk.org or at the venue’s gift shop, Shop@The Word.
This event is suitable for over 18s only.
For more information about The Word, call 0191 427 1818 email enquiries@theworduk.org or visit www.theworduk.org.