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Celebrating the world of words

10th - 13th July 2025

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Crime Fiction Panel: Kate Rhodes & Victoria Dowd
It's all about the crime with our afternoon panel at the National Civil War Centre's Tudor Hall with Kate Rhodes and Victoria Dowd.

Crime Fiction Panel: Kate Rhodes & Victoria Dowd

Two acclaimed crime writers discuss their work and inspiration and celebrate their latest publications in an interview with crime awards judge and panellist Alex Hawley.

Kate Rhodes introduces the seventh novel in her windswept Scilly Isles series, Hangman Island, which follows on from Hell Bay, Ruin Beach, Burnt Island, Pulpit Rock, The Devil’s Table and Brutal Tide. Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths, this new crime novel is a gripping new locked-island mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the bitter end.

‘A vividly realised protagonist whose complex and harrowing history rivals the central crime storyline’ Sophie Hannah, Daily Express
‘An enjoyable whodunit in classic, quasi-realistic style’ Literary Review, on Hell Bay

Victoria Dowd presents the latest in her bestselling Smart Woman’s Mystery Series: Murder Most Cold. 

This event is brought together by Alex (AJ) Hawley – former blogger, come interview writer and his debut book charts his rise from his bedroom to becoming the judge of multiple crime awards and he is now a regular panellist throughout the festival season, specialising in the crime genre.

 

EVENT DATE & TIME

Ticket Prices

Festival Friends

£4.00

Adults

£6.00
Book Tickets

About the Authors

Dr Kate Rhodes is a Royal Literary Fellow at the University of Cambridge. Kate is an expert on modern literature and writing, with a long background in education, including delivering classes in UK prisons, and teaching at British and American universities. Kate’s Isles of Scilly crime series, of which there are now seven, has been optioned for TV. She has also written six crime novels set in London. Her books feature strong characters, believable crimes and locations which perfectly evoke the British landscape’s complex history. She wrote poetry before becoming a crime writer and was twice shortlisted for the Forward prize. Her work has received high praise from reviewers, with The Guardian describing her books as: “Beautifully written and expertly plotted, a masterclass in ‘closed world’ crime fiction.”
Victoria is the award-winning author of the bestselling Smart Woman’s Mystery series. She has been shortlisted for the CWA Dagger. Her debut novel, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder, won The People’s Book Prize for fiction and was In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel’s Book of the Year 2020. Her fifth book, Murder Most Cold won the Grand Puzzly award of 2023 and was a finalist in the Feathered Quill Book Awards. Victoria was awarded the Gothic Fiction prize for her short fiction, which has been published widely in literary journals and anthologies. She also writes the Adapting Agatha series and has appeared at many literary festivals including Malice Domestic (the Agathas) in Washington; the Jaipur Literary Festival; the International Agatha Christie Festival; and Crimefest. She is on the board of the Crime Writers’ Association and head of the London Crime Writers’ Association. She was also a criminal defence barrister for many years.

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Book Tickets

Please Note: Advance tickets are available until 11 am the day before the event unless the venue is the Palace Theatre or Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre.

Box Office Information

All tickets are sold through Newark Palace Theatre unless otherwise stated.

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