Alibis in the Archive 2020

North Wales's very own country-house weekender returns for its fourth year!

North Wales’s very own country-house weekender returns for its fourth year of all things criminal. Alibis in the Archive welcomes another line-up of some of the world’s best-known crime writers, including Lynne Truss (A Shot in the Dark) and Robert Thorogood (Death In Paradise).

They will be joined by Antonia Hodgson (the Tom Hawkins series), Bonnie MacBird (Art in the Blood, Unquiet Spirits), John Curran (editor of Agatha Christie’s Complete Secret Notebooks), and Priscilla Masters (the Joanna Piercy and Claire Roget series).

We are particularly delighted to host the minds behind Malice Domestic, one of the USA’s largest crime fan conventions. Held in Washington DC each year since 1989, the festival celebrates traditional mystery writing and is home of ‘The Agathas’, awards which celebrate the finest writing in the genre. Verena and Shawn discuss the murder mystery in twenty-first century America on Saturday afternoon.

As always the master of ceremonies is Martin Edwards, author of several award-winning crime novel series and editor of the British Library Crime Classics, some of the highest-selling titles in the UK. Martin is an expert in the Golden Age but – having been President of the Detection Club, Chair of the CWA, and archivist for both organisations – is something of an expert on all things crime writing. Gladstone’s Library is delighted to have Martin curate the weekend.

With residential and non-residential places available, join Gladstone’s Library for one of the UK’s most welcoming crime weekends.

Tickets onsale very soon! Watch this space or sign up for information here:

To join our expression of interest list for residential and non-residential places please call 01244 532350 or email enquiries@gladlib.org. Please note this is an expression of interest list to receive booking information only - this is not a booking list and no places will be allocated on the basis of this list.

Our 'Alibis in the Archive' Partners

The Crime Writers’ Association was founded by John Creasey in 1953 to promote and support the crime writing genre. Hundreds of well-known crime writers have been past and present members, and it runs the prestigious Dagger Awards.

The Detection Club was founded in 1930 by a group of leading detective novelists including Anthony Berkeley, Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie and Freeman Wills Crofts. It is the oldest and most august society of crime writers in the world. A social and dining organisation, it currently holds three meetings each year where members are elected by secret ballot and there is an ‘initiation ceremony’, the rites of which have always been shrouded in mystery....

Timetable coming soon (click here) but we are delighted to announce the following talks....

MEET THE CRIME WRITERS. In keeping with all the best country houses, drinks and chat in the Library's living room. Roaring fires and drinks for all! 

David Brawn talks to Martin Edwards about Celebrating the Detection Club's 90th Birthday

John Curran investigates the Collins Crime Club

Antonia Hodgson explores the benefits of History and Mystery

Bonnie MacBird marches through Sherlockian Stories

Priscilla Masters explains the world of Medical Mysteries

Malice Domestic discuss The Traditional Mystery in Twenty-First Century America

Robert Thorogood reveals Death in Television

Lynne Truss asks What Draws Crime Writers to Brighton?