COSY CRIME OR EVIL MINDS?

Part of Leeds Lit Fest 2026. See the full programme at https://www.leedslitfest.co.uk/

Whether you like your crime fiction on the cosy side or on the dark side, this panel discussion with Northern Crime Fiction authors is a must.

Liz Mistry writes gritty Bradford and Scottish thrillers, Christie J Newport thrills her readers with dark twisty plots and Catherine Yaffe offers psychological depth, twisty plots, and unforgettable characters J.M.Hall prefers a cosier kill with a real sting in the tail. Hosted by Caroline Maston.

Find out just how evil our panellists can be, and also how sugary sweet, in this fun panel exploring the breadth and possibilities of the much-loved crime fiction genre. 

Meet the panellists

Liz Mistry moved to West Yorkshire in the late 1980s. Her gritty crime fiction police procedural novels set in Bradford embrace the city she describes as 'Warm, Rich and Fearless' whilst exploring the darkness that lurks beneath. Yet, her heart remains in Scotland, where childhood tales of bogey men, Bible John and grey lady ghosts fed her imagination. Her latest work, The Solanki and McQueen crime series is set around West Lothian, where she uses the distinctive landscape, historic heritage and Scottish culture as a backdrop to her hard-hitting yet often humorous stories.  Struggling with clinical depression and anxiety for many years, Liz often includes mental health themes in her writing. She credits her doctorate in Creative Writing from Leeds Trinity University with helping her find a way of using her writing to navigate her ongoing mental health struggles. 

Christie J. Newport was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1981. She spent ten years living away, most notably in her beloved Northumberland but has since relocated back to Lancashire, where she lives with her wife in Preston.  In 2004, Christie graduated from Edge Hill University with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, prior to which she attended Archbishop Temple High School and Preston College. She is now agented by Northbank Talent Management and works closely with Marissa Constantinou. She was the inaugural winner of the Joffe Books Prize for Crime Writers of Colour in 2021. Her first crime thriller, The Raven's Mark (the first in The Preston Murders Series), was published to great acclaim. You can purchase The Raven's Mark in paperback, e-book, and Audiobook. The Ordinary Man is the second in The Preston Murders Series and is now available in paperback and e-book. Both books have received high praise from authors, critics, bloggers, reviewers, and readers. She is currently working on my first standalone historical psychological thriller for Storm Publishing and the third instalment in the Preston Murders series will follow

J.M. Hall is the pen name of Jon Hall. Jon was born in Yorkshire and, bar a few brief interludes, he has lived in the county ever since. He has been writing for stage and radio for many years, most recently creating the critically acclaimed BBC radio series "Trust" starring Julie Hesmondhalgh. This series was inspired by Jon's long-time career as deputy headmaster of a northern primary school. Primary teaching has always been a huge part of his life and throughout his writing career he is proud never to have lost the ability of running a slick painting table. In 2021, his first novel was published by Harper Collins. "A Spoonful of Murder" introduced us to the unlikely crime-solving trio of retired teachers Liz, Thelma and Pat. These wonderfully warm and funny characters took on a life of their own and spawned a series of cosy crime novels. The eagerly awaited second novel is due in March 2023 and the third is already well underway. When he not writing, Jon is happy to take his mind off the trials of creativity by doing something practical, such as organising a playground rota or marking a pile of books.

Catherine Yaffe is an Amazon bestselling British crime author whose gripping thrillers have topped the Amazon charts multiple times. Her work is known for its psychological depth, twisty plots, and unforgettable characters. When she's not plotting fictional murders, she's passionate about supporting new writers. She runs a local writing group dedicated to helping unpublished authors develop their stories, and delivers workshops on crime writing, storytelling, and overcoming creative blocks. A regular speaker at festivals including CrimeFest, Bay Tales, and Bloody Scotland, she also gives talks to libraries and community groups where she shares her journey through writing, illness, and resilience. Each year, she co-hosts Murder in the Rhubarb Triangle in partnership with Wakefield Library, a lively crime event that attracts over 200 visitors. Her stories often draw on her own experiences of growing up in a gritty Northern town, bringing authenticity and emotional Yorkshire grit to her work. When she's not writing or speaking, she can usually be found with a strong cup of tea, plotting her next murder.

Caroline Maston (Host) - Co-founder of the UK Crime Book Club Facebook group which supports UK based authors whilst engaging in challenging yet friendly discussions about all aspects of this most read genre. Caroline is a proficient host of crime fiction panels both online and in person.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukcrimebookclub