I'm back home after a wonderful ten days which began with a Murder Squad event at Halifax Central Library and then the most enjoyable of all the many great trips I've had to Scotland over the years. And in between there was the Alibis in the Archives weekend at Gladstone's Library, always a highlight in my calendar.
Alibis began for me with an enjoyable lunch with various friends, including Paul Charles, Shelly Dickson Carr (aka Michelle Karol) and her husband Steven Karol and then a walk in the sunshine to the gardens of nearby Hawarden Castle. Andrea Russell, warden of Gladstone's Library, greeted everyone at a drinks party and there was a chance to catch up with various pals including Martin and Martine Bailey, Liz Gilbey, and Jean Briggs. After dinner I assumed the role of quizmaster for the now traditional Alibis quiz. Because one of our speakers was John Lee, the estimable publisher at the British Library, the theme was the Crime Classics. In a splendid contest, a team including Matthew Booth and John Curran narrowly pipped a team featuring Jonathan Hopson, who volunteers at the Library and does a great job there.
Saturday's programme got off to a great start with a witty and interesting talk by Orlando Murrin about Culinary Crime. John Curran's expertise is such that his time was split into two sessions, so that we could hear him talk both about Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks and also about Collins Crime Club. Then John Lee and I conversed about the Crime Classics.
Jonathan and the Library archivist Alexandra had put together a lovely exhibition as a tribute to Peter Lovesey, who was a very popular speaker at Alibis a few years back. And the Diamond Dagger was on display, much admired by all. The afternoon began with Christina Koning discussing Cambridge Crime and she was followed by Shelly, who gave a personal insight into the achievements of her legendary grandfather, John Dickson Carr, king of the locked room mystery.
On Sunday we had Alex Pavesi, bestselling author of Eight Detectives, talking about G.K. Chesterton and Metaphysical Crime Fiction, and then I was in conversation with Paul who talked about his own writing briefly before discussing our mutual friend Colin Dexter. Last but by no means least came Caroline England (whose husband Jonathan was once a legal colleague of mine) discussing psychological thrillers.
When programming Alibis, I try to offer a wide range of subjects and also presentational styles, so that everyone attending has plenty of variety and lots of interesting insights to digest. It's also important to have agreeable people who enjoy mingling with fellow readers and writers and I was very pleased with the way everything went. Special thanks to Louisa Yates and everyone at the Library for all their hard work, as well as to the delightful speakers. And next year's Alibis dates for your diary - 5-7 June 2026.
6 comments:
Just to point out to anyone reading this (because Martin is far too modest to say it himself!) the absolutely beautiful Diamond Dagger is his own, the one he won for being such a remarkable author and expert on fictional crime. The dagger is a remarkable thing - as is the winning of it.
Alibis is always a highlight of every attendees year for the knowledge and wisdom, the fun and the friendliness, and the unique venue that is Gladstone's Library. Martin sprinkles fairy dust on the event...which is also a lot of hard work to bring together.
PS: Note to Martin: the dog is already booked and paid for into kennels for June 2026. See you there. No pressure then, boss!
It was indeed a great weekend! All the speakers were very entertaining and interesting...there was interest for everyone...already marked the diary for next year.
Liz - you're very kind! And I've got plenty of ideas about next year's speakers, so stay tuned....
Helen, delighted to hear that!
Thanks again for a brilliant weekend. Stimulating speakers and great company. We've got next year's dates in the diary!
Great to see you both again, Martine!
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