	For a complete list of Val McDermid's books click here

Val McDermid

Dates for Your Diary..
Gordon meets Kirkcaldy Hero Val McDermid
New Book out this September!
Martina comes prepared with a good book!
Fife Local Heroes Campaign
A Darker Domain Wins Award
BBC Four Programmes - Sidekick Stories
A Darker Domain shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
4 Garcon Dans La Nuit wins Awards
Fever of the Bone paperback
New Interview - The Perception of Crime Fiction
Val Wins the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger 2010
Val is presenting BBC Radio 4's Pick of the Week
Oxford and the crime novel
Crime Day at the Bodleian 2009
Dining In The Streets Of Raith
Place of Execution - Screened in US
New Photo Competition - Win Wire in the Blood DVDs
ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards & BBC Radio 4
Val reviews the crime fiction of Stieg Larsson
Val & Ian Rankin team up for fundraising event
Wire in the Blood - all six series
Keeping up with Val...
Val at Conference at Congress House, London
Manchester Literature Festival
Literary Lunch - Hosted by Sandi Toksvig with Val McDermid
Val at Ilkley Literature Festival
Warwick Words Festival of Literature and Spoken Word
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival
Agatha Christie Night - Southbank Centre
City Books Event - Brighton
Interview with Val - Times online
New Social Networking Site
New Book - Fever of the Bone - out 3 Sept. in UK
Val sponsors stand at Raith Rovers FC
Val Shortlisted for 5th Theakstons Old Peculier Award

Archive news: 2008-9 | 2006-07 | 2004-05 | 2003-04 | 2002-03 | 2001-02

Dates for Your Diary..
Dates for your Diary Saturday 18 September 2010 - Reading Festival of Crime Writing – Headline event 7pm Victoria Hall, Reading Town Hall www.readingfestivalofcrimewriting.org.uk Solo event – reading, talk, Q&A

Dates for Your Diary..

Dates for your Diary

Saturday 18 September 2010 - Reading Festival of Crime Writing – Headline event
7pm Victoria Hall, Reading Town Hall www.readingfestivalofcrimewriting.org.uk
Solo event – reading, talk, Q&A

Gordon meets Kirkcaldy Hero Val McDermid
19 July 2010 Gordon is a long-standing friend and fan of best-selling author Val McDermid and he was pleased to welcome fellow Raith Rovers supporter Val and her Godson Jack to Westminster this week. Gordon said "Val is an inspiration to me and exemplifies what my father always told me - that every single person has a talent and we are all enriched when that potential is realised." From www.gordonbrown.org.uk

Gordon meets Kirkcaldy Hero Val McDermid

Val McDermid and Gordon Brown 19 July 2010

Gordon is a long-standing friend and fan of best-selling author Val McDermid and he was pleased to welcome fellow Raith Rovers supporter Val and her Godson Jack to Westminster this week.

Gordon said "Val is an inspiration to me and exemplifies what my father always told me - that every single person has a talent and we are all enriched when that potential is realised."

From www.gordonbrown.org.uk

New Book out this September!
15 July 2010 *Trick of the Dark* Val has a new book coming out soon... Val Say's: 'It was fun to delve back into my past to conjure up images of life in an Oxford college for TRICK OF THE DARK. I should stress that my own experiences as an undergraduate at St Hilda's College did not include murder except in the form of the detective novels that all my tutors seemed to devour. But this novel definitely involved a trip down memory lane for me.' Synopsis: When Charlie Flint is sent a mysterious package of press cuttings about a brutal murder, it instantly grabs her attention. The murder occurred in the grounds of her old Oxford college – a groom battered to death just hours after his wedding. As his bride and wedding guests sipped champagne, his alleged killers were slipping his bloodstained body into the river. Charlie doesn’t know who sent the package, or why, but she can’t get the crime out of her head. And with her professional life as a clinical psychiatrist in tatters, she has plenty of time on her hands to investigate. But as she delves deeper, and steps back into the closeted, mysterious world of Oxford colleges, she realises that there is much more to this crime than meets the eye. And every step she takes towards the truth is a step closer to danger… More....>

New Book out this September!

Trick of the Dark 15 July 2010

Trick of the Dark
Val has a new book coming out soon...

Val Say's:
'It was fun to delve back into my past to conjure up images of life in an Oxford college for TRICK OF THE DARK. I should stress that my own experiences as an undergraduate at St Hilda's College did not include murder except in the form of the detective novels that all my tutors seemed to devour. But this novel definitely involved a trip down memory lane for me.'

Synopsis:
When Charlie Flint is sent a mysterious package of press cuttings about a brutal murder, it instantly grabs her attention. The murder occurred in the grounds of her old Oxford college – a groom battered to death just hours after his wedding. As his bride and wedding guests sipped champagne, his alleged killers were slipping his bloodstained body into the river.

Charlie doesn’t know who sent the package, or why, but she can’t get the crime out of her head. And with her professional life as a clinical psychiatrist in tatters, she has plenty of time on her hands to investigate.

But as she delves deeper, and steps back into the closeted, mysterious world of Oxford colleges, she realises that there is much more to this crime than meets the eye. And every step she takes towards the truth is a step closer to danger…

More....>

Martina comes prepared with a good book!
30 June 2010 Wimbledon time again! This year it looks like we may have some great weather for the tennis at Wimbledon, but just in case it rains Martina Navratilova has come prepared with a good book...

Fife Local Heroes Campaign
31 March 2010 LOCAL heroes are being celebrated as part of an ambitious programme designed to put Fife on the map this year. The year-long programme of cultural events and activities is being organised by the local authority and aims to raise the Kingdom's profile and showcase what Fife has to offer visitors and locals alike. The launch was attended by dignitaries from Fife Council as well as local businessmen and women. More....> Photo by: Tony Fimister

Fife Local Heroes Campaign

Local Heroes Fife 31 March 2010

LOCAL heroes are being celebrated as part of an ambitious programme designed to put Fife on the map this year.

The year-long programme of cultural events and activities is being organised by the local authority and aims to raise the Kingdom's profile and showcase what Fife has to offer visitors and locals alike.

The launch was attended by dignitaries from Fife Council as well as local businessmen and women.

More....>

Photo by: Tony Fimister

A Darker Domain Wins Award
03 March 2010 Val wins another award! Best P.I./Procedural Novel in the 2009 Romantic Times' BOOK REVIEWS Reviewers‘ Choice Awards goes to A DARKER DOMAIN

A Darker Domain Wins Award

03 March 2010

Val wins another award!

Best P.I./Procedural Novel in the 2009 Romantic Times' BOOK REVIEWS Reviewers‘ Choice Awards goes to A DARKER DOMAIN

BBC Four Programmes - Sidekick Stories
03 March 2010 A celebration of the TV sidekick... Val is participating in a programme looking at TV sidekicks, she is featured talking about detective sidekicks in books and on TV. The programme is narrated by Catherine Tate (Donna Noble to David Tennant's Dr Who), and looks at the role of the assistant/companion on television, from drama to sitcom, and light entertainment to children's programmes. 'Sidekick Stories' is scheduled on BBC 4 for 9pm next Tuesday (9th March). More....>

BBC Four Programmes - Sidekick Stories

03 March 2010

A celebration of the TV sidekick...

Val is participating in a programme looking at TV sidekicks, she is featured talking about detective sidekicks in books and on TV.

The programme is narrated by Catherine Tate (Donna Noble to David Tennant's Dr Who), and looks at the role of the assistant/companion on television, from drama to sitcom, and light entertainment to children's programmes.

'Sidekick Stories' is scheduled on BBC 4 for 9pm next Tuesday (9th March). More....>

A Darker Domain shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
23 February 2010 Great News! A Darker Domain has been shortlisted in the Mystery/Thriller category for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. The shortlist is... Mystery/Thriller "Bury Me Deep" by Megan Abbott "The Hidden Man" by David Ellis "Black Water Rising" by Attica Locke "A Darker Domain" by Val McDermid "The Ghosts of Belfast" by Stuart Neville Find out more...>

4 Garcon Dans La Nuit wins Awards
12 February 2010 The French TV adaptation of THE DISTANT ECHO, 4 GARCON DANS LA NUIT - was selected for the LUCHON Film Festival (the main winter TV Festival in France) which took place last week. 4 GARCON DANS LA NUIT came away with the best actor award for the four main actors!

4 Garcon Dans La Nuit wins Awards

4 GARCON DANS LA NUIT 12 February 2010

The French TV adaptation of THE DISTANT ECHO, 4 GARCON DANS LA NUIT - was selected for the LUCHON Film Festival (the main winter TV Festival in France) which took place last week. 4 GARCON DANS LA NUIT came away with the best actor award for the four main actors!

Fever of the Bone paperback
01 February 2010 Val's book Fever of the Bone will be out in paperback the UK 18th February 2010 'So gripping that it puts your life on hold' *The Times* **'As good a psychological thriller as it is possible to get' Sunday Express 'McDermid is especially good at serving up a mix of hi-tech and old-fashioned coppering, as well as showing how proximity to extreme brutality can take its toll on even the toughest police officer.'Laura Wilson*, The Guardian* More...>

Fever of the Bone paperback

Fever of the Bone 01 February 2010

Val's book Fever of the Bone will be out in paperback the UK 18th February 2010

'So gripping that it puts your life on hold' The Times

'As good a psychological thriller as it is possible to get' Sunday Express

'McDermid is especially good at serving up a mix of hi-tech and old-fashioned coppering, as well as showing how proximity to extreme brutality can take its toll on even the toughest police officer.'Laura Wilson, The Guardian

More...>

New Interview - The Perception of Crime Fiction
14 January 2010 The Perception Of Crime Fiction: Val McDermid Speaks Julian Maynard-Smith In Fever of the Bone, Val McDermid's latest novel, Tony Hill and Carol Jordan track down a serial killer who is hunting apparently unconnected teenagers via a social networking website. A child's murder is every parent's worst nightmare, and a subject that needs to be handled with the utmost sensitivity. Debates have raged about the level of violence in serial-killer novels (most recently when Jessica Mann declared that she would no longer review novels filled with 'sadistic misogyny') – but one of Val McDermid's strengths is the way in which she humanises her victims, rather than simply setting them up as meat for killers. 'I think in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan stories that's at the heart of what I've tried to do. It's about the judgments we make about victims. Recently we've had the Kercher case, and one of the things I wanted to write about is what it means to be touched by that victimhood. As a journalist, I worked in Manchester for a long time and you couldn't escape the long shadow of the Moors murders. I was often in the company of the families of Ian Brady's and Myra Hindley's victims. In a way I've always had that in the back of my mind. It made me aware of the way that violent death contaminates the lives of everyone it comes into contact with. It's so easy to get caught up in the violence but you have to control it when you're writing. You have to find the right balance. You're writing fiction that touches on some of the darkest places of people's lives. It's only readers who can make the final judgment if I've got that right. I weigh things up as they seem to work for me. It's a tough call. Read the whole interview - http://www.crimetime.co.uk/mag/index.php/showarticle/1421

New Interview - The Perception of Crime Fiction

14 January 2010

The Perception Of Crime Fiction: Val McDermid Speaks
Julian Maynard-Smith

In Fever of the Bone, Val McDermid's latest novel, Tony Hill and Carol Jordan track down a serial killer who is hunting apparently unconnected teenagers via a social networking website.

A child's murder is every parent's worst nightmare, and a subject that needs to be handled with the utmost sensitivity. Debates have raged about the level of violence in serial-killer novels (most recently when Jessica Mann declared that she would no longer review novels filled with 'sadistic misogyny') – but one of Val McDermid's strengths is the way in which she humanises her victims, rather than simply setting them up as meat for killers.

'I think in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan stories that's at the heart of what I've tried to do. It's about the judgments we make about victims. Recently we've had the Kercher case, and one of the things I wanted to write about is what it means to be touched by that victimhood. As a journalist, I worked in Manchester for a long time and you couldn't escape the long shadow of the Moors murders. I was often in the company of the families of Ian Brady's and Myra Hindley's victims. In a way I've always had that in the back of my mind. It made me aware of the way that violent death contaminates the lives of everyone it comes into contact with. It's so easy to get caught up in the violence but you have to control it when you're writing. You have to find the right balance. You're writing fiction that touches on some of the darkest places of people's lives. It's only readers who can make the final judgment if I've got that right. I weigh things up as they seem to work for me. It's a tough call.

Read the whole interview - http://www.crimetime.co.uk/mag/index.php/showarticle/1421

Val Wins the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger 2010
12 January 2010 Val McDermid wins the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger 2010 Photo: Alan Peebles Tuesday January 12: Bestselling author Val McDermid has been named as the recipient of this year’s prestigious CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, which honours outstanding achievement in the field of crime writing. The announcement has been made by the Crime Writers’ Association in recognition of Val’s work over more than 20 years. The CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger is the latest accolade in a highly successful career which last year saw Val inducted into the Hall of Fame at the ITV3 Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards, whose partners include the CWA. In 1995 she won the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year for The Mermaids Singing, which first introduced her readership to Tony Hill and Carol Jordan, and went on to become an international bestseller.Fever of the Bone is the sixth novel of this series which inspired Wire in the Blood. Click here to read more about this award... (external link: http://www.thecwa.co.uk) Val talks to BookBrunch about her award... McDermid said: "I'm delighted to be admitted to this very select group of crime writers. To be awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger is a distinction every writer dreams of. It's been an amazing 12 months - inducted into the Hall of Fame, elected to an Honorary Fellowship at St Hilda's College, Oxford and now the Diamond Dagger. more ...> (external link: http://bookbrunch.co.uk/index.php) More links to information about this award http://camberwell-crime.blogspot.com/2010/01/val-mcdermid-wins-diamond-dagger.html http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture-newcastle/book-reviews/2010/01/12/crime-pays-for-val-as-she-is-given-top-award-61634-25576141/ http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/25135 http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/25133 http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jan/12/val-mcdermid-diamond-dagger-award http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/NewsEvents/News-Archive/Val-McDerrmid-wins-Cartier-Diamond-Dagger

Val Wins the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger 2010

Cartier Diamond Dagger Award 12 January 2010

Val McDermid wins the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger 2010

Photo: Alan Peebles

Tuesday January 12: Bestselling author Val McDermid has been named as the recipient of this year’s prestigious CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, which honours outstanding achievement in the field of crime writing. The announcement has been made by the Crime Writers’ Association in recognition of Val’s work over more than 20 years.

The CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger is the latest accolade in a highly successful career which last year saw Val inducted into the Hall of Fame at the ITV3 Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards, whose partners include the CWA.

In 1995 she won the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year for The Mermaids Singing, which first introduced her readership to Tony Hill and Carol Jordan, and went on to become an international bestseller.Fever of the Bone is the sixth novel of this series which inspired Wire in the Blood.

Click here to read more about this award... (external link: http://www.thecwa.co.uk)

Val talks to BookBrunch about her award...

McDermid said: "I'm delighted to be admitted to this very select group of crime writers. To be awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger is a distinction every writer dreams of. It's been an amazing 12 months - inducted into the Hall of Fame, elected to an Honorary Fellowship at St Hilda's College, Oxford and now the Diamond Dagger. more ...> (external link: http://bookbrunch.co.uk/index.php)

More links to information about this award

http://camberwell-crime.blogspot.com/2010/01/val-mcdermid-wins-diamond-dagger.html

http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture-newcastle/book-reviews/2010/01/12/crime-pays-for-val-as-she-is-given-top-award-61634-25576141/

http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/25135

http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/25133

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jan/12/val-mcdermid-diamond-dagger-award

http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/NewsEvents/News-Archive/Val-McDerrmid-wins-Cartier-Diamond-Dagger

Val is presenting BBC Radio 4's Pick of the Week
18 December 2009 Val is presenting BBC Radio 4's Pick of the Week on Sunday December 20th at 6.15pm. Tune in to hear snippets of the best of the week's radio across the BBC networks. If you can't listen live, you can pick it up afterwards on BBC iPlayer or Listen Again via bbc.co.uk. Enjoy! http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qpdd

Val is presenting BBC Radio 4's Pick of the Week

BBC Radio 4 18 December 2009

Val is presenting BBC Radio 4's Pick of the Week on Sunday December 20th at 6.15pm. Tune in to hear snippets of the best of the week's radio across the BBC networks. If you can't listen live, you can pick it up afterwards on BBC iPlayer or Listen Again via bbc.co.uk.

Enjoy!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qpdd

Oxford and the crime novel
11 December 2009 Oxford and the crime novel Speaker: Val McDermid (St Hilda's) Bestselling crime writer, Val McDermid (St Hilda's), discusses the role of Oxford in the cime novel in general, as well as its role in her own work. Part of the 2009 Oxford Alumni Weekend (25-27 Sept 09). Useful links Oxford Alumni Weekend downloads

Crime Day at the Bodleian 2009
11 December 2009 A special one-day event celebrating the publication of P.D. James’s new book, Talking about Detective Fiction, published by the Bodleian Library. Listen to Val's BODcast (external link)

Dining In The Streets Of Raith
16 November 2009 Val says: "We'll be talking more about crime fiction than football. And it's the first time we've appeared at an event together since the big 'bloodthirsty lesbians' media row of 2008!" There are still some tickets available from: dining@raithroversfc.com Next month sees the 15th anniversary of Rovers’ Coca Cola Cup triumph over Celtic at Ibrox, and a couple of well known fans are giving fellow supporters the opportunity to make a real meal of their celebrations to help raise funds for Raith Rovers. World renowned crimewriters Ian Rankin and Val McDermid (pictured right at Stark’s Park) will celebrate the greatest victory in the club's history by hosting 'Dining In The Streets Of Raith', and not surprisingly, the event – in association with Adam Smith College - will take place on 27th November in the atrium, and is expected to raise thousands of pounds for the club. The authors, both lifelong Rovers supporters, are giving their time free and will be joined by fans of their work as well as football supporters for a champagne reception and a four-course meal specially created by renowned TV chef, and football fan, Delia Smith, and prepared by students from the college. The evening will include a chat with Ian and Val, and there are plans to stage a book signing. Tickets priced at £65 per head will be on sale soon, and there are also two crime writers' tables of eight available at £1000 which will be hosted by the authors. The two crimewriters have been very supportive of Raith Rovers in recent years, and this latest fundraising venture comes just two months after Val saw the north stand at Stark’s Park renamed the McDermid Stand as part of a major sponsorship deal and in honour of her late father Jim who served the club as a scout and is credited with bringing Jim Baxter and Ian Porterfield to the club in the sixties. Val said: "I think 'Dining In The Streets Of Raith' is going to be great fun. Books, food, wine and football - four of life's greatest pleasures all rolled up into one evening. It's hard to beat, I'd have thought it would be criminal to miss it." Ian Rankin said: "It's not every day you get the chance to enjoy yourself at the same time as you're supporting something worthwhile. "This is a great chance to celebrate some of the best things about Fife." Rovers chairman Dave Somerville said: "We are delighted that two of our more famous supporters have offered to host this superb event and hope that their fellow fans will come out in their numbers to support the event." During the course of the evening, diners will also have the chance to bid for the opportunity to feature as a character in the next books penned by Val and Ian with the winners being announced on the night.

Dining In The Streets Of Raith

Val McDermid and Ian Rankin 16 November 2009

Val says: "We'll be talking more about crime fiction than football. And it's the first time we've appeared at an event together since the big 'bloodthirsty lesbians' media row of 2008!"

There are still some tickets available from: dining@raithroversfc.com

Next month sees the 15th anniversary of Rovers’ Coca Cola Cup triumph over Celtic at Ibrox, and a couple of well known fans are giving fellow supporters the opportunity to make a real meal of their celebrations to help raise funds for Raith Rovers.

World renowned crimewriters Ian Rankin and Val McDermid (pictured right at Stark’s Park) will celebrate the greatest victory in the club's history by hosting 'Dining In The Streets Of Raith', and not surprisingly, the event – in association with Adam Smith College - will take place on 27th November in the atrium, and is expected to raise thousands of pounds for the club.

The authors, both lifelong Rovers supporters, are giving their time free and will be joined by fans of their work as well as football supporters for a champagne reception and a four-course meal specially created by renowned TV chef, and football fan, Delia Smith, and prepared by students from the college.

The evening will include a chat with Ian and Val, and there are plans to stage a book signing.

Tickets priced at £65 per head will be on sale soon, and there are also two crime writers' tables of eight available at £1000 which will be hosted by the authors.

The two crimewriters have been very supportive of Raith Rovers in recent years, and this latest fundraising venture comes just two months after Val saw the north stand at Stark’s Park renamed the McDermid Stand as part of a major sponsorship deal and in honour of her late father Jim who served the club as a scout and is credited with bringing Jim Baxter and Ian Porterfield to the club in the sixties.

Val said: "I think 'Dining In The Streets Of Raith' is going to be great fun. Books, food, wine and football - four of life's greatest pleasures all rolled up into one evening. It's hard to beat, I'd have thought it would be criminal to miss it."

Ian Rankin said: "It's not every day you get the chance to enjoy yourself at the same time as you're supporting something worthwhile. "This is a great chance to celebrate some of the best things about Fife."

Rovers chairman Dave Somerville said: "We are delighted that two of our more famous supporters have offered to host this superb event and hope that their fellow fans will come out in their numbers to support the event."

During the course of the evening, diners will also have the chance to bid for the opportunity to feature as a character in the next books penned by Val and Ian with the winners being announced on the night.

Place of Execution - Screened in US
09 November 2009 November 2009 Place of Execution - screened in two parts on PBS in the US - November 2009 http://www.pbs.org/ Reviews: "An absorbing 'Masterpiece Contemporary' production.” -Daily Variety http://images.burrellesluce.com/image/7667AE/7667AE_960 "Addictive..." -Boston Globe http://images.burrellesluce.com/image/7667AE/7667AE_965 "The adroitly layered complexities of this story come undone slowly, ominously, with smallish, wonderfully subtle hints, and possibilities - a word here, a detail there, a fleeting look." -The Wall Street Journal http://images.burrellesluce.com/image/7667AE/7667AE_961 "Good stuff, and very satisfying." -People Magazine "A terrific production on so many levels, and one that will reverberate within you long after you've finished watching." - Mystery Readers Blog (Includes interview with Val McDermid) http://mysteryreadersinc.blogspot.com/

Place of Execution - Screened in US

A Place of Execution Screened in US 09 November 2009

November 2009

Place of Execution - screened in two parts on PBS in the US - November 2009

http://www.pbs.org/

Reviews: "An absorbing 'Masterpiece Contemporary' production.”
-Daily Variety
http://images.burrellesluce.com/image/7667AE/7667AE_960

"Addictive..."
-Boston Globe
http://images.burrellesluce.com/image/7667AE/7667AE_965

"The adroitly layered complexities of this story come undone slowly, ominously, with smallish, wonderfully subtle hints, and possibilities - a word here, a detail there, a fleeting look."
-The Wall Street Journal
http://images.burrellesluce.com/image/7667AE/7667AE_961

"Good stuff, and very satisfying."
-People Magazine

"A terrific production on so many levels, and one that will reverberate within you long after you've finished watching."
- Mystery Readers Blog (Includes interview with Val McDermid) http://mysteryreadersinc.blogspot.com/

New Photo Competition - Win Wire in the Blood DVDs
03 November 2009 Caught Reading! Each month we will be awarding a super prize for the best photo featuring one of Val's books. This month we are giving away the complete Series Six of *Wire in the Blood* Caught Reading photo competition

ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards & BBC Radio 4
23 October 2009 See Val on ITV3 Crime Awards programme - 27th October 9pm Val says, "Tuesday at 9pm on ITV3 where people can see me being inducted into the Hall of Fame." http://www.itv.com/drama/copsandcrime/itv3crimethrillerawards/default.html Also, the Book Programme on BBC R4 on Sunday at 4pm, repeated Thursday at 4pm. It's the second of two programmes of writers picking neglected classics, readers then have a brief window of opportunity to vote for the one they most fancy the sound of as a BBC R4 Classic Serial. See this link for more info. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/2009/10/radio4_neglected_classics_vote.html

ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards & BBC Radio 4

ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards 23 October 2009

See Val on ITV3 Crime Awards programme - 27th October 9pm

Val says, "Tuesday at 9pm on ITV3 where people can see me being inducted into the Hall of Fame."

http://www.itv.com/drama/copsandcrime/itv3crimethrillerawards/default.html

Also, the Book Programme on BBC R4 on Sunday at 4pm, repeated Thursday at 4pm. It's the second of two programmes of writers picking neglected classics, readers then have a brief window of opportunity to vote for the one they most fancy the sound of as a BBC R4 Classic Serial.

See this link for more info.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/2009/10/radio4_neglected_classics_vote.html

Val reviews the crime fiction of Stieg Larsson
19 October 2009 Stieg Larsson: The Man Who Died Too Soon Val McDermid praises the crime fiction of Stieg Larsson, whose Lisbeth Salander trilogy close with The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. When my copy of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest arrived, I confess to mixed feelings. I was thrilled to get my hands on it because I’d enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s first two novels so much. But I grieved, too, because I knew this was the last time I’d have that thrill. For the story of Stieg Larsson’s whirlwind success will always be tainted by the tragedy of his sudden early death. When any writer dies in the prime of life, we mourn the loss of the books not written. In Larsson’s case, the grief is all the more poignant because he had no inkling that his three Millennium series thrillers would become a worldwide publishing phenomenon, winning awards and finding millions of fans far beyond the borders of his native Sweden. more... (external link)

Val reviews the crime fiction of Stieg Larsson

19 October 2009

Stieg Larsson: The Man Who Died Too Soon

Val McDermid praises the crime fiction of Stieg Larsson, whose Lisbeth Salander trilogy close with The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

When my copy of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest arrived, I confess to mixed feelings. I was thrilled to get my hands on it because I’d enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s first two novels so much. But I grieved, too, because I knew this was the last time I’d have that thrill. For the story of Stieg Larsson’s whirlwind success will always be tainted by the tragedy of his sudden early death. When any writer dies in the prime of life, we mourn the loss of the books not written. In Larsson’s case, the grief is all the more poignant because he had no inkling that his three Millennium series thrillers would become a worldwide publishing phenomenon, winning awards and finding millions of fans far beyond the borders of his native Sweden.

more... (external link)

Val & Ian Rankin team up for fundraising event
19 October 2009 Crime writers team up for a fundraising dinner in aid of Raith Published Date: 15 October 2009 By Allan Crow News Desk TWO of Britain's leading crime writers are teaming up to create a thriller of a fundraising event in Kirkcaldy. Ian Rankin and Val McDermid will host ''Dining In The Streets Of Raith'' to raise funds for Raith Rovers. more... (external link)

Wire in the Blood - all six series
08 October 2009 Wire in the Blood - Completely Wired All six series available in one fantastic DVD boxset from 30 November 2009 Robson Green (Soldier Soldier, Northern Lights) stars as dysfunctional psychologist Dr Tony Hill in hit ITV1 series, Wire in the Blood. Based on the characters of prize-winning author Val McDermid, Dr Hill's unique insight into the fractured mind proves invaluable in the hunt for the murderers and rapists terrorising the northern town of Bradfield. Now available in its entirety, follow Dr Tony Hill in a race against time as he and ambitious DCI Carol Jordan (Hermione Norris - Cold Feet, Spooks) tackle the ever present threat of serial killers stalking their streets. From Series Four, Tony is joined by DI Alex Fielding (Simone Lahbib - Bad Girls, Monarch of the Glen) as he faces his darkest and most brutal cases yet. Can the team collect all the evidence and stop the horrific slayings in time? Includes Prayer of the Bone - 2008 feature length special filmed in Texas, USA - Also available individually from 30 November 2009 The release Wire in the Blood fans have been waiting for!

Wire in the Blood - all six series

Wire in the Blood DVD set 08 October 2009

Wire in the Blood - Completely Wired

All six series available in one fantastic DVD boxset from 30 November 2009

Robson Green (Soldier Soldier, Northern Lights) stars as dysfunctional psychologist Dr Tony Hill in hit ITV1 series, Wire in the Blood. Based on the characters of prize-winning author Val McDermid, Dr Hill's unique insight into the fractured mind proves invaluable in the hunt for the murderers and rapists terrorising the northern town of Bradfield.

Now available in its entirety, follow Dr Tony Hill in a race against time as he and ambitious DCI Carol Jordan (Hermione Norris - Cold Feet, Spooks) tackle the ever present threat of serial killers stalking their streets. From Series Four, Tony is joined by DI Alex Fielding (Simone Lahbib - Bad Girls, Monarch of the Glen) as he faces his darkest and most brutal cases yet. Can the team collect all the evidence and stop the horrific slayings in time?

Includes Prayer of the Bone - 2008 feature length special filmed in Texas, USA - Also available individually from 30 November 2009

The release Wire in the Blood fans have been waiting for!

Keeping up with Val...
30 September 2009 New Feature - Keeping up with Val... Val Mcdermid keeps us up-to-date with her life through her blog-style recordings http://www.valmcdermid.com/pages/podcast.html

Val at Conference at Congress House, London

30 September 2009

Fourth unionlearn Southern and Eastern Annual Conference

Date Thu, 12 Nov 2009

Time to from 09:30 to 15:30

Location Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1b 3LS

Description
This conference will provide the opportunity to learn more about different development and initiatives, including: learning in the economic downturn; the right to request time off to learn; skills for work; and foundation degrees.

Speakers: Barry Francis (Regional Manager, unionlearn), Tom Beattie (Unite), Gordon Marsden MP, award-winning author Val McDermid and Tom Wilson (Director, unionlearn).

Contact for more information
For more information and to register for this event please visit the link below.

http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/about/learn-2996-f0.cfm?regional=7

Manchester Literature Festival

30 September 2009

Mark Billingham & Val McDermid

date	Sunday 18 October 2009
time	5:00 PM (17:00 hrs)
venue	Whitworth Art Gallery
ticket price	£7/£5 concessions
to book by phone	0843 208 0500
to book online	Online Booking Form
festival strand	read

MLF is delighted to present two of the UK's most acclaimed crime writers. Mark Billingham's series of London-based novels featuring D.I. Tom Thorne has won him the Sherlock Award, the Theakston’s Crime Novel Of The Year Award and been nominated for five Crime Writer’s Association Daggers. The newest novel in the series isBloodline. Val McDermid is a winner of The Gold Dagger and many more literary awards throughout the world. Her novels featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill have been adapted for the popular ITV drama,Wire in the Blood. The latest in this series is Fever of the Bone. Her psychological thriller A Darker Domain was a hardback Top Ten bestseller and won universally admiring reviews.

Whitworth logo

Literary Lunch - Hosted by Sandi Toksvig with Val McDermid
30 September 2009 16 Oct 12:30pm - Literary Lunch - Hosted by Sandi Toksvig with special guest Val McDermid Guildford Book Festival Venue: The Mandolay Hotel 36-40 London Rd Guildford, GU1 2AE 01483 575158 Supported By Mandolay Hotel, wine sponsored by Les Caves de Pyrene Sandi Toksvig has published 18 books including novels, travel journals, children’s fact and fiction, as well as regular columns for Good Housekeeping and The Sunday Telegraph. As a theatre performer, she began her career at the Nottingham Playhouse and Regents Park Open Air Theatre before moving to television to play Ethel in the live childrens’ entertainment series Number 73. Her career has blended the worlds of theatre, television and radio in roles as diverse as Big Night Out at the Little Palace Theatre(writer and performer) Pocket Dream (co writer and performer), one of the original members of the Comedy Store, presenter of Excess Baggage (Radio 4), chair ofThe News Quiz (Radio 4), feature presenter on The One Show (BBC One) and presenter of What the Dickens(Sky Arts). This summer, she took the role of Artistic Director for Sky Arts’ ground breaking Theatre Live! project. Her latest work will be published in the Autumn. International bestselling crime writer Val McDermid has sold over one million copies in the UK alone and over 10 million copies worldwide. Her books have won many awards including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. The ITV series Wire in the Blood(starring Robson Green) is based on Val’s books featuring clinical psychologist Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan. Val’s latest book, published in September is Fever of the Bone, the sixth in the series and her 23rd book. A three part ITV drama of Val’s A Place of Execution was broadcast in 2007 to great critical acclaim. Val grew up in a Scottish mining community and went on to read English at Oxford. She was a journalist for sixteen years, spending the last three years as Northern Bureau Chief of a national Sunday tabloid. £29.50 (inc. 2 course meal and a glass of wine) more info: www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

Literary Lunch - Hosted by Sandi Toksvig with Val McDermid

30 September 2009

16 Oct 12:30pm - Literary Lunch - Hosted by Sandi Toksvig with special guest Val McDermid

Guildford Book Festival

Venue:

The Mandolay Hotel
36-40 London Rd Guildford, GU1 2AE
01483 575158

Supported By Mandolay Hotel, wine sponsored by Les Caves de Pyrene
Sandi Toksvig has published 18 books including novels, travel journals, children’s fact and fiction, as well as regular columns for Good Housekeeping and The Sunday Telegraph. As a theatre performer, she began her career at the Nottingham Playhouse and Regents Park Open Air Theatre before moving to television to play Ethel in the live childrens’ entertainment series Number 73. Her career has blended the worlds of theatre, television and radio in roles as diverse as Big Night Out at the Little Palace Theatre(writer and performer) Pocket Dream (co writer and performer), one of the original members of the Comedy Store, presenter of Excess Baggage (Radio 4), chair ofThe News Quiz (Radio 4), feature presenter on The One Show (BBC One) and presenter of What the Dickens(Sky Arts). This summer, she took the role of Artistic Director for Sky Arts’ ground breaking Theatre Live! project. Her latest work will be published in the Autumn.

International bestselling crime writer Val McDermid has sold over one million copies in the UK alone and over 10 million copies worldwide. Her books have won many awards including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. The ITV series Wire in the Blood(starring Robson Green) is based on Val’s books featuring clinical psychologist Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan. Val’s latest book, published in September is Fever of the Bone, the sixth in the series and her 23rd book. A three part ITV drama of Val’s A Place of Execution was broadcast in 2007 to great critical acclaim.

Val grew up in a Scottish mining community and went on to read English at Oxford. She was a journalist for sixteen years, spending the last three years as Northern Bureau Chief of a national Sunday tabloid.

£29.50 (inc. 2 course meal and a glass of wine)

more info: www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

Val at Ilkley Literature Festival
30 September 2009 Sunday 11th October 5.30pm Craiglands Hotel Val McDermid Cross-examine the queen of crime. Val McDermid is the author of 22 compelling, bestselling crime novels, all incorporating an astringent commentary on modern Britain. Her books and memorable protagonists: forensic profiler Tony Hill and his police ally DCI Carol Jordan, are the inspiration for TV’s The Wire in the Blood* while her many awards include the CWA Gold Dagger and LA Times Book of the Year.* Tickets £5/4 more info: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk

Val at Ilkley Literature Festival

Ilkley Festival logo 30 September 2009

Sunday 11th October 5.30pm

Craiglands Hotel

Val McDermid

Cross-examine the queen of crime. Val McDermid is the author of 22 compelling, bestselling crime novels, all incorporating an astringent commentary on modern Britain. Her books and memorable protagonists: forensic profiler Tony Hill and his police ally DCI Carol Jordan, are the inspiration for TV’s The Wire in the Blood while her many awards include the CWA Gold Dagger and LA Times Book of the Year.

Tickets £5/4

more info: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk

Warwick Words Festival of Literature and Spoken Word
10 September 2009 An Evening with Val McDermid Saturday 3 October Bridge House Theatre 8.00pm Join International bestselling crime writer, Val McDermid, who has sold over one million copies in the UK alone and over 10 million copies worldwide. Her novels have been translated into twenty six languages across the globe and she has won numerous international and UK literary awards. The Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series has enjoyed tremendous success including being adapted for the award-winning ITV drama, Wire in The Blood for six series. Fever of the Bone is the latest exhilarating instalment of the escapades of the clinical psychologist and Detective Chief Inspector and yet again takes the crime fighting duo into uncharted waters. Val McDermid has become our leading pathologist of everyday evil… The subtle orchestration of terror is masterful The Guardian. Tickets: £10.00 (£8.00 concessions) For more info: www.warwickwords.co.uk

Warwick Words Festival of Literature and Spoken Word

10 September 2009

An Evening with Val McDermid

Saturday 3 October
Bridge House Theatre
8.00pm

Join International bestselling crime writer, Val McDermid, who has sold over one million copies in the UK alone and over 10 million copies worldwide. Her novels have been translated into twenty six languages across the globe and she has won numerous international and UK literary awards.

The Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series has enjoyed tremendous success including being adapted for the award-winning ITV drama, Wire in The Blood for six series. Fever of the Bone is the latest exhilarating instalment of the escapades of the clinical psychologist and Detective Chief Inspector and yet again takes the crime fighting duo into uncharted waters.

Val McDermid has become our leading pathologist of everyday evil… The subtle orchestration of terror is masterful The Guardian.

Tickets: £10.00
(£8.00 concessions)

For more info:

www.warwickwords.co.uk

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival
10 September 2009 Saturday 19th September, 4.00 pm, Temple Church Val McDermid’s crime novels are tremendously successful both in their book form and in the television adaptations and series (Wire in the Blood and A Place of Execution). Recent titles have included "Beneath the Bleeding", "A Darker Domain" and her latest book, "The Fever of the Bone" (2009) Her work has been widely recognised as outstanding and her awards have included. Stonewall Writer of the Year (2007) and the Barry Award for the Best British Crime Novel (2004). For more info visit: Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

10 September 2009

Saturday 19th September, 4.00 pm, Temple Church

Val McDermid’s crime novels are tremendously successful both in their book form and in the television adaptations and series (Wire in the Blood and A Place of Execution). Recent titles have included "Beneath the Bleeding", "A Darker Domain" and her latest book, "The Fever of the Bone" (2009)

Her work has been widely recognised as outstanding and her awards have included. Stonewall Writer of the Year (2007) and the Barry Award for the Best British Crime Novel (2004).

For more info visit:

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

Agatha Christie Night - Southbank Centre
09 September 2009 jasper fforde,val mcdermid and kate mosse - agatha christie night Wednesday 16 September 2009, 7.45pm Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Val McDermid and Kate Mosse discuss their love for the queen of crime and talk about the compelling skills of the author who brought Poirot and Miss Marple to a worldwide audience. They also share some extracts from their favourite works and take questions from the audience. To book tickets visit: www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Agatha Christie Night - Southbank Centre

Agatha Christie 09 September 2009

jasper fforde,val mcdermid and kate mosse - agatha christie night

Wednesday 16 September 2009, 7.45pm

Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Val McDermid and Kate Mosse discuss their love for the queen of crime and talk about the compelling skills of the author who brought Poirot and Miss Marple to a worldwide audience. They also share some extracts from their favourite works and take questions from the audience.

To book tickets visit: www.southbankcentre.co.uk

City Books Event - Brighton
09 September 2009 Val will be doing an event at City Books in Brighton on Tuesday 15 September 2009 at 6.30pm City Books say: 'Our events provide an opportunity to listen to some great authors. During these relaxed evenings you will have the chance to pose questions to the guest, purchase signed first editions at reduced price, and enjoy a complimentary welcome drink on arrival or at the interval'. Cost: £6.00 City Books 23 Western Road Hove BN3 1AF Tel: 01273 725306 Email: info@citybookshove.co.uk

City Books Event - Brighton

City Books Logo 09 September 2009

Val will be doing an event at City Books in Brighton on Tuesday 15 September 2009 at 6.30pm

City Books say: 'Our events provide an opportunity to listen to some great authors. During these relaxed evenings you will have the chance to pose questions to the guest, purchase signed first editions at reduced price, and enjoy a complimentary welcome drink on arrival or at the interval'.

Cost: £6.00

City Books

23 Western Road

Hove

BN3 1AF

Tel: 01273 725306

Email: info@citybookshove.co.uk

Interview with Val - Times online
09 September 2009 Interview with Val Val McDermid, one of our finest crime writers, talks to Penny Wark about violence, lesbianism and her old school pal Gordon Brown. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk

New Social Networking Site
02 September 2009 New Social networking site In order to celebrate the publication of Val McDermid's new book Fever of the Bone, we have created a special new social networking site for you to use as your very own place to talk all things Val and crime, all inspired by the new book. See if you can spot the characters and even the killer from Fever of the Bone... http://rigmarole.ning.com/

New Social Networking Site

Rigmorale 02 September 2009

New Social networking site
In order to celebrate the publication of Val McDermid's new book Fever of the Bone, we have created a special new social networking site for you to use as your very own place to talk all things Val and crime, all inspired by the new book. See if you can spot the characters and even the killer from Fever of the Bone...

http://rigmarole.ning.com/

New Book - Fever of the Bone - out 3 Sept. in UK
31 August 2009 Val Say's 'My next book - THE FEVER OF THE BONE will be published 3 September 2009 by Little, Brown. THE FEVER OF THE BONE is the sixth novel to feature clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and Detective Chief Inspector Carol Jordan, and yet again it takes them into uncharted waters. Synopsis: 'You should have been a detective. If there's one thing the last year has proved, it's how good you are at finding things out. Not simple things. Hard things. Things that nobody is supposed to be able to find out. Things that are buried so deep nobody even thinks twice about them. The sort of things that turn people's lives inside out once they're exposed.' Meet Tony Hill's most twisted adversary - a killer with a shopping list of victims, a killer unmoved by youth and innocence, a killer driven by the most perverted of desires. The murder and mutilation of teenager Jennifer Maidment is horrific enough on its own. But it's not long before Tony realises it's just the start of a brutal and ruthless campaign that's targeting an apparently unconnected group of young people. Struggling with the newly-awakened ghosts of his own past and desperate for distraction in his work, Tony battles to find the answers that will give him personal and professional satisfaction in his most testing investigation yet. Read an extract from Fever of the Bone Out 3 September 2009 in the UK - Fever of the Bone

New Book - Fever of the Bone - out 3 Sept. in UK

Fever of the Bone 31 August 2009

Val Say's

'My next book - THE FEVER OF THE BONE will be published 3 September 2009 by Little, Brown. THE FEVER OF THE BONE is the sixth novel to feature clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and Detective Chief Inspector Carol Jordan, and yet again it takes them into uncharted waters.

Synopsis:

'You should have been a detective. If there's one thing the last year has proved, it's how good you are at finding things out. Not simple things. Hard things. Things that nobody is supposed to be able to find out. Things that are buried so deep nobody even thinks twice about them. The sort of things that turn people's lives inside out once they're exposed.' Meet Tony Hill's most twisted adversary - a killer with a shopping list of victims, a killer unmoved by youth and innocence, a killer driven by the most perverted of desires. The murder and mutilation of teenager Jennifer Maidment is horrific enough on its own. But it's not long before Tony realises it's just the start of a brutal and ruthless campaign that's targeting an apparently unconnected group of young people. Struggling with the newly-awakened ghosts of his own past and desperate for distraction in his work, Tony battles to find the answers that will give him personal and professional satisfaction in his most testing investigation yet.

Read an extract from Fever of the Bone

Out 3 September 2009 in the UK - Fever of the Bone

Val sponsors stand at Raith Rovers FC
06 August 2009 Val, a lifelong Rovers supporter, has sponsored a stand at Raith Rovers FC Rovers Chairman Dave Somerville said, "The Club is very pleased with this significant sponsorship deal for the McDermid Stand. Val has been a lifelong supporter of Raith Rovers and in recent years has been consistent in her tangible help to the Club. There can be few if any football stands carrying the name of a world renowned author and the Club is proud to carry her family name. Although the arrangement is based on commercial sponsorship we are particularily delighted that it gives Val an opportunity to dedicate the stand to her late father who also made a major contribution to the Club." To read more about this story go to: http://www.raithroversfc.com/cgi-bin/latestnews.cgi?id=3023

Val sponsors stand at Raith Rovers FC

Raith Rovers FC 06 August 2009

Val, a lifelong Rovers supporter, has sponsored a stand at Raith Rovers FC

Rovers Chairman Dave Somerville said, "The Club is very pleased with this significant sponsorship deal for the McDermid Stand. Val has been a lifelong supporter of Raith Rovers and in recent years has been consistent in her tangible help to the Club. There can be few if any football stands carrying the name of a world renowned author and the Club is proud to carry her family name. Although the arrangement is based on commercial sponsorship we are particularily delighted that it gives Val an opportunity to dedicate the stand to her late father who also made a major contribution to the Club."

To read more about this story go to:
http://www.raithroversfc.com/cgi-bin/latestnews.cgi?id=3023

Val Shortlisted for 5th Theakstons Old Peculier Award
23 June 2009 Shortlist Announced For 5th Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel Of The Year Award Val has been shortlisted for this award along with 13 other talented writers - you can vote for your favourite contender by following this link http://www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime/award/polling-page The shortlist was announced today for the 5th Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. The only award of its kind to be voted for by the general public it represents the very best in crime writing and once again represents crime writing from right across the board. The Award will then be presented by Radio broadcaster Mark Lawson on the opening night of Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on Thursday 23 July. Now in its fifth year, the 2009 Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year is open to British paperbacks published in 2008. Previous winners have included Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Allan Guthrie and also Stef Penney in 2008 for The Tenderness of Wolves. The winner takes home £3,000 and a handmade Theakstons Old Peculier Cask made by the last cooper in England. The 14 strong shortlist reads like a who's who in crime writing, with entries from established authors including Val McDermid, Beneath the Bleeding and Ian Rankin, Exit Music as well as Tom Cain, Accident Man who enters the shortlist with his debut novel. It also includes such well-loved characters as Dalziel and Pascoe, Nic Costa and Inspector Banks. The full list are: Death Message, (Mark Billingham), The Accident Man (Tom Cain), Bad Luck and Trouble (Lee Child), Gone to Ground (John Harvey), Ritual (Mo Hayder), Garden of Evil (David Hewson), A Cure for all Diseases (Reginald Hill),The Colour of Blood (Declan Hughes), Dead Man's Footsteps (Peter James), Broken Skin (Stuart MacBride), Beneath the Bleeding (Val McDermid) Exit Music (Ian Rankin), Friend of the Devil (Peter Robinson) Savage Moon (Chris Simms) Simon Theakston Executive Director of T&R Theakston today said; 'This year the shortlist is as strong as ever with some very strong contenders. However, the votes by readers have led to surprise winners in the past so I am very much looking forward to seeing who the public choose as their favourite crime read of 2008.' Steph Bateson, Books Buying Manager for Asda today said: 'This is the first year of our involvement and I am impressed with the strength of the shortlist, they very much represent the very best British crime writers, from the very established to emerging authors.' It is now down to you the reader. Read the books then go to www.theakstons.co.uk to vote for your winner. The winner will be announced at the opening night of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on 23rd July 2009. The 14 shortlisted books will be on special offer at Asda from 7th - 27th July with 2 books for £7. Now in its 7th year the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is still the largest event of its kind in Europe and a firm date in the national festival calendar. In 2009 it takes place at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate from 23 - 26 July. Accommodation and Weekend Rover ticket packages are available now on 01423 562303. Individual tickets and Day Passes available on 0845 130 8840

Val Shortlisted for 5th Theakstons Old Peculier Award

Theakstons old perculier crime writing award 23 June 2009

Shortlist Announced For 5th Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel Of The Year Award

Val has been shortlisted for this award along with 13 other talented writers - you can vote for your favourite contender by following this link

http://www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime/award/polling-page

The shortlist was announced today for the 5th Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. The only award of its kind to be voted for by the general public it represents the very best in crime writing and once again represents crime writing from right across the board. The Award will then be presented by Radio broadcaster Mark Lawson on the opening night of Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on Thursday 23 July.
Now in its fifth year, the 2009 Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year is open to British paperbacks published in 2008. Previous winners have included Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Allan Guthrie and also Stef Penney in 2008 for The Tenderness of Wolves. The winner takes home £3,000 and a handmade Theakstons Old Peculier Cask made by the last cooper in England.

The 14 strong shortlist reads like a who's who in crime writing, with entries from established authors including Val McDermid, Beneath the Bleeding and Ian Rankin, Exit Music as well as Tom Cain, Accident Man who enters the shortlist with his debut novel. It also includes such well-loved characters as Dalziel and Pascoe, Nic Costa and Inspector Banks.

The full list are: Death Message, (Mark Billingham), The Accident Man (Tom Cain), Bad Luck and Trouble (Lee Child), Gone to Ground (John Harvey), Ritual (Mo Hayder), Garden of Evil (David Hewson), A Cure for all Diseases (Reginald Hill),The Colour of Blood (Declan Hughes), Dead Man's Footsteps (Peter James), Broken Skin (Stuart MacBride), Beneath the Bleeding (Val McDermid) Exit Music (Ian Rankin), Friend of the Devil (Peter Robinson) Savage Moon (Chris Simms)

Simon Theakston Executive Director of T&R Theakston today said; 'This year the shortlist is as strong as ever with some very strong contenders. However, the votes by readers have led to surprise winners in the past so I am very much looking forward to seeing who the public choose as their favourite crime read of 2008.'

Steph Bateson, Books Buying Manager for Asda today said: 'This is the first year of our involvement and I am impressed with the strength of the shortlist, they very much represent the very best British crime writers, from the very established to emerging authors.'

It is now down to you the reader. Read the books then go to www.theakstons.co.uk to vote for your winner. The winner will be announced at the opening night of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on 23rd July 2009. The 14 shortlisted books will be on special offer at Asda from 7th - 27th July with 2 books for £7.

Now in its 7th year the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is still the largest event of its kind in Europe and a firm date in the national festival calendar. In 2009 it takes place at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate from 23 - 26 July. Accommodation and Weekend Rover ticket packages are available now on 01423 562303. Individual tickets and Day Passes available on 0845 130 8840

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Val McDermid crime novels

Trick of the Dark

Great News! A Darker Domain has been shortlisted in the Mystery/Thriller category for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

Mystery/Thriller "Bury Me Deep" by Megan Abbott"The Hidden Man" by David Ellis "Black Water Rising" by Attica Locke"A Darker Domain" by Val McDermid"The Ghosts of Belfast" by Stuart Neville

The Perception Of Crime Fiction: Val McDermid Speaks Julian Maynard-Smith

Val McDermid wins the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger 2010

Oxford and the crime novel

Stieg Larsson: The Man Who Died Too Soon

Val McDermid praises the crime fiction of Stieg Larsson, whose Lisbeth Salander trilogy close with The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Fourth unionlearn Southern and Eastern Annual Conference

Mark Billingham & Val McDermid

An Evening with Val McDermid

Saturday 3 OctoberBridge House Theatre8.00pm

jasper fforde,val mcdermid and kate mosse - agatha christie night

Mystery/Thriller
"Bury Me Deep" by Megan Abbott
"The Hidden Man" by David Ellis
"Black Water Rising" by Attica Locke
"A Darker Domain" by Val McDermid
"The Ghosts of Belfast" by Stuart Neville

The Perception Of Crime Fiction: Val McDermid Speaks
Julian Maynard-Smith

Saturday 3 October
Bridge House Theatre
8.00pm