St Hilda's Crime and Mystery Conference, Oxford

St Hilda's College, Oxford

I’m flattered to tell you that I’ll be one of the speakers at this year’s Mystery and Crime Weekend at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, from August 13-15. It’s quite a list of authors even at this early stage: Ann Cleeves, Natasha Cooper, Kate Ellis, Anthea Fraser, Sophie Hannah, Joanna Hines, Gillian Linscott aka Caro Peacock and Anne Perry. Simon Brett will be the Guest of Honour and will deliver the Conference Lecture. Andrew Taylor will chair the conference.

I’ve never been to St Hilda’s before but I’ve heard lots about it. This isn’t some big commercial event. It doesn’t even have a web site, so if you want to more, and how to book, please download the attachment at the bottom.

The location is something special. St Hilda’s College is situated on the banks of the River Cherwell overlooking the meadows and spires of Merton and Magdalen Colleges. Its lovely gardens sweep down to the edge of the river which is justifiably famous for its punting and picnics and is wonderful for strolling and relaxing. The centre of Oxford is only a few minutes walk away, but the College lies in a pleasantly secluded area away from the noise and bustle of the city.

The theme for this year’s conference is Behind The Mask, which is certainly appropriate for me given how much time I’ve spent watching people in masks in Venice this year. Each author will present a paper on the subject. There’s a formal dinner with a speaker on the Saturday, and of course the opportunity to mingle and chat in the surroundings of an Oxford college. Everyone who’s been has told me it’s a wonderful, relaxing and unique weekend, small in feel but very open and free-ranging in terms of discussion.

A bookstore will be provided throughout the weekend with speakers’ books and those of other authors at the conference on sale, also second-hand mystery and crime books.

You can read more about the event in an article at Crimespree here. The expat American author and former CWA chair Kate Charles and Eileen Roberts, project consultant to St Hilda’s Development & Alumnae Office, are the organisers.

Oxford in August. I can’t wait…

St Hilda’s Booking Form