Noirwich Crime Writing Festival 2017

If you’re looking for culture, history and an incredible atmosphere, it doesn’t get much better than the beautiful city of Norwich. But this September there’ll be something far more sinister afoot in the UNESCO city of literature…

The Noirwich Crime Writing Festival is an annual celebration bringing together superstar crime authors, exciting new talent and fans of all things crime fiction. Events take place across four days at the Norwich Arts Centre, the University of East Anglia and Jarrolds. With something for every crime fan, Noirwich is the perfect way to end your summer.

What are you waiting for? Book your tickets now!

Val McDermid
6.30pm, The Pantry Restaurant at Jarrold
Val McDermid returns to Norwich for the launch event of this year’s festival. Author of over 30 novels and the creator of genre-defining characters Lindsay Gordon, Kate Brannigan, Tony Hill and Carol Jordan, Val will be discussing her work and her most recent novel, Out of Bounds, with Stav Sherez.

Friday 15 September

Arne Dahl
6pm, Thomas Paine Study Centre at University of East Anglia
When we’re surrounded by turbulent geopolitical discourse, how can crime and thriller fiction help us understand the world? In the first Noirwich Lecture, thriller writer, literary critic and academic Arne Dahl explores the connections between noir and the new world order.

Martina Cole
8pm, Thomas Paine Study Centre at University of East Anglia
The queen of gangland discusses her most recent novel, The Good Life, and a remarkable career encompassing over twenty novels, fourteen million sales and successful screen and stage adaptations.

Saturday 16 September

Nasty Women – Laura Wilson, MJ McGrath & Erin Kelly
10.30am, Norwich Arts Centre
Discussing female characters and writers of crime fiction, this panel of top writers from the Killer Women initiative features Laura Wilson, MJ McGrath and Erin Kelly.

Fresh Blood – Imran Mahmood, Steph Broadribb and Joseph Knox
12.15pm, Norwich Arts Centre
Discover your next favourite writer with our selection of exciting and challenging debut novelists. Imran Mahmood, Steph Broadribb and Joseph Knox are shaping the next generation of crime fiction and this session will investigate what drew them to the crime genre and how they turned their ideas into published reality.

Anthony Horowitz
2pm, Norwich Arts Centre
Blending fact and fiction, Anthony Horowitz’s latest book, The Word is Murder, puts himself at the centre of the investigation as he partners with disgraced detective Daniel Hawthorne to solve a bizarre murder. Anthony has written over 40 novels, is the creator of the Alex Rider series and has worked on TV shows including Midsomer Murders and Foyle’s War.

Dark Shores – Lone Theils, Deniel Pembrey and Nick Quantrill
3.45pm, Norwich Arts Centre
What is it about the swirling maelstrom of the North Sea that draws writers towards the desolate, unresolved world of noir and crime? This international panel of writers will be discussing the motivations and inspirations behind writing such uncompromising work. Featuring Lone Theils from Denmark, Daniel Pembrey from the Netherlands, Nick Quantrill from Hull and is hosted by Harry Brett from Great Yarmouth.

Stand Up At The Bar – Christopher Brookmyre and Mark Billingham
5.30pm, Norwich Arts Centre
After a day of serious crime literature, allow Mark Billingham and Christopher Brookmyre to lift the lid on the real world of being a writer. Accompanied by a few drinks in the Norwich Arts Centre bar, prepare yourself for angry letters from readers, backstage shenanigans, nightmarish personal appearances, strong language, very strong language and a disturbing story about a chicken.

The Resurrection of Dora Suarez
7.30pm, Norwich Arts Centre
Brought back to life for one night only, this unique musical interpretation of Derek Raymond’s novel I Was Dora Suarez reunites the Terry Edwards band from the original show with crime writer Cathi Unsworth. Mixing video and audio, The Resurrection of Dora Suarez will be a night to remember featuring musicians who have played with PJ Harvey, Nick Cave and Suzie and the Banshees.

Sunday 17 September

The Global View – Stella Duffy, Felicia Yap and Leye Adenle
10.30am, Norwich Arts Centre
Stella Duffy, Felicia Yap and Leye Adenle take a look at crime writing with an international twist, presented by William Ryan of the First Monday Crime team. A unique opportunity to experience a First Monday Crime event outside of London!

Grime Noir – David Mark, Andrew Martin and Karen Maitland
12pm, Norwich Arts Centre
Step back in time to a filthier period of history, past the smog-filled streets of Victorian London to the long years of the Black Death, with David Mark, Andrew Martin and Karen Maitland. Specialising in historical fiction, these writers put the diseased and soot-blackened crimes of the past under the magnifying glass.

Stuart MacBride
1.30pm, Norwich Arts Centre
The award-winning, bestselling creator of the DS Logan McRae series comes to the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival for the first time. Stuart MacBride won the 2007 CWA Dagger in the Library award, was named Best Breakthrough Author at the 2008 ITV Crime Thriller Awards and has been shortlisted twice for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.