Author Event: Crime Fiction Panel - Beeston Library

Join our panel of crime authors for an evening of chat about crime fiction. In the first half, the panel will be discussing the legendary Agatha Christie, while in the second half they’ll be talking about their own works.

Adult Event

Mel Pennant is an award-winning playwright whose writing has been featured by the National Archives as well as on stage. Born in London, she was raised by an extraordinary village, including her Jamaican grandparents, who moved to England in the 1950s as part of the Windrush generation. Mel is drawn to stories that explore what lies beneath the surface and celebrate the richness and strength of tight-knit communities. A Murder for Miss Hortense, her debut novel, was longlisted for the CWA Whodunnit Dagger.

Katy Watson writes contemporary Golden Age–style cosy crime that blends classic puzzle plotting with modern warmth, wit and glamour. She is the author of the Three Dahlias Mysteries, following three actresses from different generations - each famous for playing fictional detective Dahlia Lively - who join forces to solve real murders.

Raised in North Wales in a family of folk singers, storytellers and mystery lovers, she grew up devouring Agatha Christie before publishing more than 45 books for young readers and adults, eventually turning to crime with The Three Dahlias. Katy's latest novel Death on a Lively Sea was published in July 2026 and Murder on the Mistletoe Express will be published in November 2026.

Tom Mead is a Derbyshire mystery writer and aficionado of Golden Age Crime Fiction. His novels include Death And The Conjuror, The Murder Wheel, Cabaret Macabre and The House At Devil's Neck, and he also recently published a collection of mystery stories, The Indian Rope Trick (And Other Violent Entertainments). His books have been translated into 12 languages (and counting), nominated for various awards and named books of the year by The Guardian, The Telegraph, Publishers Weekly and Crimereads.