The need to keep dark secrets hidden and the carnage unleashed when they are revealed bring together these three terrific writers. Tariq Ashkanani introduces us to a bestselling writer, a beloved celebrity in his small town but also a serial killer, and his son has kept his secret. As rumour spreads like wildfire through Andrea Mara’s fictional picture-perfect neighbourhood, the residents realise that their neighbours have secrets. How far would they go to keep them? Emma Christie’s Jo realises that someone must have a terrible secret to hide. Determined to protect her new life from the violence of her past, she embarks on a mission to find out the truth.
Chaired by Peggy Hughes
This show is included in the Granite Noir multibuy deal.
1 Hour
Tariq Ashkanani is a solicitor and co-host of the writing podcast Page One. His debut novel, Welcome to Cooper, won the Bloody Scotland Debut Award 2022, as well as being shortlisted for both the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger and Capital Crime Fingerprint Award. His second novel, Follow Me to the Edge, was published in 2022. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife and two sons.
Andrea Mara is a No.1 Sunday Times, Irish Times and Kindle bestselling author. Her books have sold more than one million copies worldwide, and four of them have been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year. No One Saw a Thing, was a Richard and Judy Bookclub Pick, sold more than 100,000 copies in thirteen weeks, and was No.1 in the UK, Irish and Kindle charts. She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband and three children. You can find Andrea on Instagram @andreamaraauthor
Emma Christie writes psychological thrillers set in Portobello, Edinburgh’s thriving seaside neighbourhood. Her debut novel The Silent Daughter was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2021, shortlisted for the Scottish Crime Debut of the Year 2021 and longlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award 2021. It was followed in 2022 by her highly acclaimed novels Find Her First and In Her Shadow . When she’s not travelling in her campervan, Emma lives in Barcelona with her girlfriend Mari and far too many plants.
Peggy is Chief Executive of the National Centre for Writing. She is on the board of Age UK Norwich and Open Book Reading Scotland. She is from Northern Ireland, and before moving to Norwich worked in literature in Scotland. Peggy was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023, an honour bestowed on individuals who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of literature in the UK.
Granite Noir is inspired by the incredible popularity of crime fiction in all its forms, by the fantastic contribution that Scottish writers make, by our love affair with Nordic Noir, on the page and on screen. Take a look at our full programme and book your tickets now…do you dare to be there?
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