Durham Book Festival

There are further details of the crime story events at Durham Book Festival, October 2015, in the New Writing North newsletter:

September 2015 Durham Book Festival

CRIME STORY events at Durham Book Festival CRIME STORY, the popular series of talks and seminars that explore the facts behind crime fiction, is coming to Durham Book Festival for the first time. Programmed in association with Northumbria University, we are delighted to present The Story of Wearside Jack, and to take a look around Durham Crown Court, the scene of some of the region’s most notorious trials. This year’s IAS Debate also has a compelling theme, debated by leading crime writers Helen Cadbury and Louise Welsh, and Durham University researchers. The Story of Wearside Jack, with Mark Blacklock and Northumbria University Sunday 11 October, 4.30pm-5.30pm, Durham Town Hall (Burlison Gallery) In his novel I’m Jack, Mark Blacklock portrays the true and complex history of John Humble aka Wearside Jack, the Ripper Hoaxer, a timewaster and criminal both sympathetic and revolting. Mark will be joined by a panel of experts from Northumbria University to discuss the intricacies of Humble’s case and how it impacted upon the Yorkshire Ripper investigation. Contributions from Professor of Criminology Mike Rowe and legal experts Adam Jackson and Dr Michael Stockdale are sure to make...read more. Inside Durham Crown Court Wednesday 14 October, 4.15pm-5.30pm, Durham Crown Court Durham Crown Court is the scene of some of the North East’s most notorious trials, including that of 19th century murderer Mary Ann Cotton. This event presents a rare opportunity to hear in the original court where it all occurred, a history of crime and punishment in County Durham from 1811 to the present day. Led by HH Judge Prince, Resident Judge at Durham Crown Court and the Honorary Judicial Recorder of Durham, this event is a must for anyone interested in the history of crime and for emerging crime writers alike...read more. The IAS Debate: This House Believes That There is No Such Thing as Hard Evidence Sunday 11 October, 3pm-4pm, Palace Green Library (Wolfson Gallery) The popular Institute of Advanced Study Debate returns to the festival and this year will focus on Evidence, the IAS’s research theme for 2015-16. Arguments for and against the motion will be proposed by two leading crime writers and two Durham University researchers. Louise Welsh’s most recent book is Death is a Welcome Guest. She is the author of five highly acclaimed novels including The Cutting Room. Helen Cadbury won the Northern Crime...read more.