Murder, Mystery and Mayhem

Three of the UK's most compelling crime writers come together for a fascinating discussion about creating suspense, unforgettable detectives and shocking twists. Join Mari Hannah, Tim Sullivan and Suzy Aspley as they reveal the secrets behind their bestselling novels and the art of keeping readers guessing. A must for crime fiction fans. Mari Hannah is a multi-award winning, bestselling author/screenwriter and is the creator of the Kate Daniels series, the Ryan & O'Neil and the Stone & Oliver series. She lives in a small Northumberland village with her partner, a former murder detective. Tim Sullivan is a crime writer, screenwriter and director. His critically acclaimed crime series features the brilliantly persistent DS George Cross who has Autistic Spectrum Condition. The clever, twisty, touching and funny series has won an army of fans, sold over one million copies and is the winner of the 2026 CWA Dagger in the Library award. Tim’s film credits include A Handful of Dust, Jack and Sarah, and Cold Feet. Early in his career he directed Jeremy Brett’s iconic portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in ITV’s The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, cementing his lifelong passion for crime fiction. Tim Sullivan lives in London and sets his crime series in Bristol and Somerset where he grew up and his family hails from. Suzy Aspley is a former journalist whose debut novel Crow Moon was published by Orenda Books in 2024. It was the first in a series of gothic thrillers featuring journalist Martha Strangeways and set in remote and rural parts of Scotland. Originally from South Shields, Suzy has lived in Scotland for more than thirty years and draws inspiration from the landscapes in which her novels are set. She won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect competition in 2019, Crow Moon was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland and Theakston's McDermid debut prizes. Her second novel in the Martha Strangeways series The Bone Mother, was released on May 7th 2026. She is currently writing a thriller set in the Arctic and inspired by her Danish great grandfather’s role in the Arctic Convoys during World War Two. He left Denmark alone as a teenager and boarded a ship, arriving in South Shields where he made his home and married a local lass. She can be found on instagram @suzyaspleybooks and her website is www.suzyaspleywriter.com