Stowmarket Library has launched Suffolk’s newest crime writers’ festival.

‘Skulduggery in Stowmarket’ will take place at the library over four days from 27-30 April 2018. It will involve four days of talks by top crime writers with plenty of crime-related activities to enjoy including a quiz, a murder mystery to solve, workshops and a day of activities for younger readers.

The programme includes:

Thursday 26 April – A talk by Ian Andrew about his Wright and Tran novels.

Friday 27 April – A talk by local author and historian Pip Wright about his latest book about a notorious family of Suffolk poachers. There will also be a crime quiz and pizza and tickets are £12.50.

Saturday 28 April – A series of talks by seven top crime writers – Elly Griffiths, Nicola Upson, Alison Bruce, Jacqueline Beard, Edmund Wilson, Pauline Manders and Mandy Morton. They will be talking about their work and signing copies of their books which can be purchased on the day. Tickets are £5 per talk or £20 for the whole day.

In the evening there will be a murder mystery and fish and chip supper. Pathologist Dr Tim Howes will also be giving a talk about how the infamous 1827 Red Barn murder in Polstead would be tackled in the present day. There will also be an exhibition about the murder in the library throughout the weekend. Tickets for Saturday night are £12.50.

Sunday 29 April – A day of activities for young detectives from 10am with a forensic science session provided by Kinetic and a workshop/talk by local children’s author James Campbell. These activities are sponsored by the Friends of Stowmarket Library and tickets are £5 per child.

Monday 30 April – An author workshop by Gipping Press which will cover proof-reading, bookbinding and self-publishing.

Ursula Scott, Stowmarket Library Manger, said: “We’re really excited about Skulduggery in Stowmarket. The aim of the event is to bring some of the country’s best crime writers to the library, including local authors and those from further afield. The weekend will be a celebration of this hugely popular genre with a local twist and with a day of activities for younger readers, there will be something for everyone.”

The event will also build on the success of Slaughter in Southwold which is the established crime writer’s festival organised by Southwold Library every summer.

Tickets can be bought from Stowmarket Library and Stowmarket Tourist Information Centre and are also now available online. The full programme and further details of the event will be available at www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/skulduggery