Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival: Val McDermid's New Blood panel Saturday 20th July 2019

For me one of the most anticipated events of the festival is always Val McDermid's New Blood panel. Over the years, I've discovered many New blood authors who have gone on to become firm favourites on my bookshelves. From Abir Mukherjee who writes about colonial India to David Mark who trails us round the strees of Hull and from Jane Harper's atmospheric Autralian novels to SJ Watson's haunting psychological thriller, I am always amazed at both the versatility and the originality of the new authors. Can't wait to find out more about this years four New Blood panellists and their books, but here's a sneaky little peek. 

Available here

Gytha Lodge is a multi-award winning playwright who studied creative writing at UEA. Her debut, She Lies in Wait, is dubbed as the biggest debut of 2019. 

Val McDermid says 'An atmospheric thriller that takes the idea of six friends with a dark place in their past and gives it a series of fresh, chilling twists. A novel that literally makes you hold your breath then gasp out loud' 

BLURB

Six friends. One killer. Who do you trust?

Seven friends went down to the woods, but one of them never came home.

30 years later, a body is discovered. DCI Sheens already knows what's waiting for him - Aurora Jackson, found at last.

They all claim to be innocent, but one of them must be lying.

Because she was found somewhere only they knew about.

Now everyone's a suspect.

Available here

Investigative journalist, Holly Watt,  with her first novel To the Lions received acclaim as a ‘breathholding rollercoaster of a read’.

Clare Mackintosh says 'Sensational! I loved it. Superbly plotted, and what a brilliant series lead!'

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A journalist must follow the clues, no matter how far that takes her.

Casey Benedict, star reporter at the Post, has infiltrated the lives and exposed the lies of countless politicians and power players. Using her network of contacts, Casey is always on the search for the next big story, no matter how much danger this might place her in, no matter what cost emotionally.

Tipped off by an overheard conversation at an exclusive London nightclub, she begins to investigate the apparent suicide of a wealthy young British man, whose death has left his fiancée and family devastated.

Casey's determined hunt for the truth will take her from the glitz of St-Tropez to the deserts of Libya and on to the very darkest corners of the human mind.

Available here

From Down Under, Scrublands is the powerful compulsive thriller from journalist and foreign correspondent, Chris Hammer. 

Val McDermid says 'Shimmers ... A tortured tale of blood and loss' 

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In an isolated country town ravaged by drought, a charismatic young priest opens fire on his congregation, killing five men before being shot dead himself.

A year later, journalist Martin Scarsden arrives in Riversend to write a feature on the anniversary of the tragedy. But the stories he hears from the locals don't fit with the accepted version of events.

Just as Martin believes he is making headway, a shocking discovery rocks the town. The bodies of two backpackers - missing since the time of the massacre - are found in the scrublands. The media descends on Riversend and Martin is the one in the spotlight.

Wrestling with his own demons, Martin finds himself risking everything to uncover a truth that becomes more complex with every twist. But there are powerful forces determined to stop him, and he has no idea how far they will go to make sure the town's secrets stay buried.

Available here

Freelance writer and editor, Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut, My Sister the Serial Killer, mixes crime, sisterly love and murder, hailed by the New York Times as ‘pulpy, peppery and sinister.’

New York Times says 'A bombshell of a book... Sharp, explosive, hilarious' 

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When Korede's dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what's expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This'll be the third boyfriend Ayoola's dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede's long been in love with him, and isn't prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other...