New venture brings crime writers and readers together

[John Dean]

An exciting new initiative has been launched featuring online interviews with popular crime fiction authors.

Mug Shots is run by Tall Tales Mysteries, a leading UK murder mystery company based in the Darlington area of County Durham.

The idea for Mug Shots happened when Scottish-based crime writers Jackie Baldwin, Ian Patrick and John Dean featured as part of a Tall Tales online murder mystery weekend staged in January.

Tall Tales Mysteries’ evening and weekend events are normally held at hotels but have been operating online during Covid-19 restrictions.

The reaction was so positive that a wide range of crime writers will now feature in a series of free one-to-one filmed interviews to be conducted and posted online over the next twelve months.

Sara West, founder of Tall Tales Mysteries, said: “The session in January was so enthusiastically received that we decided to expand the idea to cater for the demand that is so obviously there. There is clearly great enthusiasm among readers to delve into the minds of authors.”

“I know the guest detectives at our murder mysteries love crime fiction and lots of them are writers too so we’re asking the authors we speak to for top tips and advice too.”

Sessions will be posted every month and feature authors including best-selling novelists Martin Edwards, Leigh Russell and Margaret Murphy. Among those also taking part are two authors from the Darlington area – Bud Craig and CJ Grayson.

Leigh Russell said: “I am thrilled to take part in this project which offers an exciting experience for crime writers and readers everywhere.”

The first author to feature is Ireland-based David Pearson, who talks about his work and offers some handy hints for aspiring writers as part of the February offering.

John Dean, who has worked with Tall Tales Mysteries to organise the programme, said: “Readers’ passion for crime fiction remains as strong as ever and this initiative brings writers and readers together.

“In addition to offering a treat for readers, the venture is welcome for the authors taking part. The restrictions associated with the pandemic means that they have not been able to meet their readers in the way they would normally have done over the past year with every indication that things will remain difficult this year. Mug Shots helps bridge the divide.’

The films can be accessed at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/Talltalesadventures or through Mug Shots at www.talltalesmysteries.com

 

Tall Tales Mysteries is a leading murder mystery company currently performing interactive virtual murder mysteries on Zoom every Saturday and providing private events for special occasions and team building activities.