- 28 May -28 June 2026
- A Criminally Good Day
- Fiction
The House of Killers
Samantha Lee Howe began her professional writing career predominantly writing writing horror and fantasy under the pen name Sam Stone. To date, Samantha has written 20 novels, 3 novellas, 3 collections, over 40 short stories, an audio drama and a ‘Doctor Who’ spin-off drama that went to DVD. Samantha will be discussing her success with The Stranger in Our Bed (2020) and her latest spy thriller series The House of Killers (2021). Tickets: £8 / £6 Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Workshop
Period Writing Workshop
The past is a different place, they do things differently there – in this workshop Alec Marsh explores how the past can be used to bring your creative writing to life, just as your creative writing can also bring the past to life too. Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Non-fiction
Patricia Highsmith Centenary Discussion
Patricia Highsmith, who was born in the USA, spent much of her life in Europe and lived for some time in Suffolk. She was a complex person and there were many who did not like her character or her views. However no one is in doubt that she wrote some brilliant psychological thrillers, notably Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr Ripley, both of which have been made into successful films. Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Workshop
Character Driven Action in Suspense and Thrillers Workshop
Samantha Lee Howe delivers one of her inspiring writing workshops. Explore the art of increasing suspense and introducing twists in action, thriller and suspense writing. Learn about character motivation and its impact on the story arc. This is a participatory workshop so please bring paper and pen or other preferred writing materials. Tickets: £20/£15 Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Workshop
How To Start Writing A Novel (even if you’re not a Rock Star)
Join Mat Osman, novelist and bass player of the acclaimed British rock band Suede for a special writer’s workshop on writing your first novel, finding time to write around a busy schedule and life’s demands, and how to find joy in the process. £20 / £15 Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Non-fiction
Dorothy L Sayers Lecture: Crime Fiction – A Readers Guide
Barry Forshaw, the UK’s leading crime fiction expert, examines – in lively detail – how female writers have energised the genre from the Golden Age to the present. Barry has met most of the key women writers from Patricia Highsmith to Patricia Cornwell and has a fund of fascinating anecdotes. Barry’s Crime Fiction: A Reader’s Guide covers everything from the beginnings of the genre to current bestselling writers from America, Britain, and all across the world. Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Memoir
In Black and White
In her debut book, In Black and White, Alexandra Wilson re-creates the tense courtroom scenes, the heart- breaking meetings with teenage clients, and the moments of frustration and triumph that make up a young barrister’s life. Alexandra shows us how it feels to defend someone who hates the colour of your skin, or someone you suspect is guilty. Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- In Conversation
The Ruins – Mat Osman in conversation with Zoe Howe
Spend an Evening with Mat Osman - author and bass player of acclaimed British rock band Suede - as he opens the pages on his intoxicating debut novel magic, music and murder; The Ruins. Mat will be talking in depth to Zoe Howe, acclaimed author, music and presenter, sharing thoughts, stories and how The Ruins took shape. Osman will draw us into his turbulent 2010 where banks are on the edge of oblivion, a volcano is erupting in Iceland and marauding… Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Crime Fiction
- For Writers
- FREE
- In partnership
- Outside
- Storytelling
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Criminally Good Day
Crime-writer event, writing workshops, children's workshops, free drop-in activities, story-telling, acorn-planting and so much more... Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
A Criminally Good Weekend
Join us for some fabulous criminally good author talks and events plus our very first silent film screening at one of Essex’s leading cultural venues and the one of oldest of its kind in the UK, Harwich’s Electric Palace. Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Memoir
The Real Prime Suspect
Jackie Malton The Real Prime Suspect Electric Palace, King's Quay Street, Harwich, CO12 3ER Tickets: £10 / £8 concessions (Students, Under 27s and Unwaged) Box Office: Online or Mercury Theatre 01206 573948 The Real Prime Suspect is a jaw-dropping, gritty memoir from Jackie Malton (with Helene Mulholland). Former DCI, Malton, is the inspiration for legendary TV detective Jane Tennison in Lynda La Plante's Prime Suspect starring Helen Mirren. Jackie will be taking a frank look at her prolific career… Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Poetry
Behind Bars
Lady Unchained is a poet, broadcaster, TEDx speaker, mentor and an advocate for life after prison. She is the founder and creative director of Unchained Poetry, a platform for artists with experience of the criminal justice system. Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Fiction
Marple: Twelve New Stories
Whether you are a dedicated Agatha Christie fan and Marple aficionado, or intrigued to find out more about this modest, unassuming old lady, we are sure you will enjoy the discussion about one of the greatest deductive minds ever to capture the world' imagination. Read more
- A Criminally Good Day
- Date changed
- Fiction
The Spy Across the Water – DATE CHANGED
** Date Changed to 4th June ** The thrilling third novel from one of our most treasured BBC broadcasters, The Spy Across The Water follows Will Flemyng on a dangerous journey into his clandestine past, from conflict in Ireland to the long shadows of the Cold War. Read more
- Thriller
- A Criminally Good Day
- Crime Fiction
Bad Blood
Essex-based author Sarah Hornsley lived for years in Maldon, where her thrilling debut Bad Blood is set. A huge new voice in crime fiction, Sarah will be talking about writing and releasing her tense, compelling and cleverly plotted thriller. Secrets, lies and family ties unspool in this gripping, twisty, thrill-ride of a book. Read more
- Thriller
- A Criminally Good Day
- Crime Fiction
Making A Killing
Author of Sunday Times & New York Times bestseller and TikTok sensation, Murder in the Family, the always impressive Cara Hunter will be discussing her latest book in the DI Adam Fawley series. Making a Killing is a brilliantly twisty and hugely entertaining police thriller. Read more
- Thriller
- A Criminally Good Day
- Crime Fiction
The Burial Place
Times Radio presenter, Stig Abell, will be reflecting on how his love for classic crime and the detective novels of Dorothy L Sayers, Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, to name but a few, have influenced his own crime writing including his latest evocative book in the Jake Jackson crime series, The Burial Place. Read more