Author Archives: topcwfbigread

It’s Friday night, early February. The house is quiet. I’m sitting by the fireside having a drink when I should be in my office cracking on with my latest thriller. Instead, my eyes scan bookshelves looking for something to read. … Continue reading →

Festival Reader-in-Residence David Mark tells us how A Place of Execution  influenced his decision to write crime fiction. It’s 10.18am. Saturday morning. My partner has just driven the kids to their drama school and the various teenage foundlings who loiter … Continue reading →

This year’s Big Read is Val McDermid’s A Place of Execution. A Greek tragedy in modern England, A Place of Execution is a taut psychological suspense thriller that uniquely explores, exposes and explodes the border between reality and illusion in … Continue reading →

2013 Festival Reader-in-Residence David Marks tells us how James Bond long been an influence in his life. “The name’s Mark. David Mark.” “David Mark what?” “No, listen. The surname is Mark. The first name is David.” “So why did you … Continue reading →

‘Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles’ In Casino Royale, the first of Fleming’s 007 adventures, a game of cards is James Bond’s only chance to bring down the desperate SMERSH … Continue reading →

I have always had a love/hate/love relationship with Patricia Highsmith. I have all her novels and have read her since the early nineties. Sometimes I think her work is so sublime that it is almost breathtaking. Then I read another … Continue reading →