10 October 2016

Crimefest hits Aberdeenshire libraries

Libraries across Aberdeenshire are peeking into the murky world of crime and mystery with author events and other activities throughout October.

The programme of events began when Ann Cleeves, best-selling novelist and creator of the Vera and Shetland television series, hosted a murder mystery event at Portlethen Library.

And James Oswald, author of six Detective Inspector MacLean mysteries, appeared at Mearns Community Campus library to talk about his work.

But there’s still plenty of time to get involved in the Crimefest. Amateur sleuths will get the chance to investigate a dramatic shooting the boardroom of a Peterhead business in the 1930s, using original material from Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives on Thu, Oct 20, at Peterhead Library.

And how real is fiction when it comes to the forensic facts of a case? This fascinating question will be explored by forensics expert Professor Lorna Dawson and crime writer Lin Anderson at events in Stonehaven Library on Mon, Oct 24, and Fraserburgh Library on Tue, Oct 25.

Or, if you would like to try your hand at crime fiction, then Aberdeen mystery writer Bill Kirton will be on hand to assist with a crime writing workshops in Turriff Library on Tue, Oct 18, and Mearns Community Campus Library on Wed, Oct 26.

Schools are being involved too, with pupils from Alford and Aboyne Academies getting the chance to meet young people’s author Cathy MacPhail later this month, although the event won’t be open to the general public.

Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure Committee, Cllr Alison Evison, said: “This is a fantastic programme of free events with something for every fan of crime fiction. It is wonderful to see our libraries being used for such engaging events.”

Committee vice-chair Cllr Charles Buchan added: “With so many events taking place across the whole of Aberdeenshire, there really is an opportunity for everyone to turn up and get involved.”

All events are free. Booking is advised and can be done by contacting libraries locally. For more information and full listings of the events taking place, please visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/libraries/readers/crimefest/

Please note the events are primarily aimed at adults and young adults and may not be suitable for younger members of the family.