Some say it’s grim up North, but these Northern crime writers have kept us on the edge of our seats with their gritty thrillers. To find out why the region has become such a compelling creative muse to so many crime writers, we’re inviting a panel of authors whose page-turning works all feature a northern backdrop. 

Chaired by Saima Mir, author of The Khan, with behavioural analyst, psychotherapist and author of The Killing Song, and featuring Lesley McEvoy, the ‘Queen of Northern Noir’, Bradford crime writer, Liz Mistry, British-Asian crime writer, A.A. Dhand, and deputy head teacher turned author and playwright, J.M. Hall.

About The Authors

Liz Mistry

Born in Scotland, made in Bradford sums up Liz Mistry’s life. Over thirty years ago she moved from a small village in West Lothian to Yorkshire to get her teaching degree. Once here, Liz fell in love with three things; curries, the rich cultural diversity of the city… and her Indian husband (not necessarily in this order). Now thirty years, three children, two cats (Winky and Scumpy) and a huge extended family later, Liz uses her experiences of living and working in the inner city to flavour her writing. 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.

A.A. Dhand

A.A. Dhand was raised in Bradford and spent his youth observing the city from behind the counter of a small convenience store. The history, diversity and darkness of the city have inspired his Harry Virdee novels. The Blood Divide is his first standalone thriller.

J M Hall

J.M. Hall is an author, playwright and deputy
head of a primary school. His plays have
been produced in theatres across the UK as
well as for radio, the most recent being Trust,
starring Julie Hesmondhalgh on BBC Radio
4. His first novel, A Spoonful of Murder, is
about retired primary school teachers who
turn to sleuthing.

Lesley McEvoy Headshot

Lesley McEvoy

Lesley McEvoy was born and bred in Yorkshire and has had a passion for writing in one form or another all her life. The writing took a backseat as Lesley developed her career as a Behavioural Analyst / Profiler and Psychotherapist – setting up her own Consultancy business and therapy practice. She has written and presented extensively around the world for over 25 years specialising in behavioural profiling and training, with a wide variety of organisations. The corporate world provided unexpected sources of writing material when, as Lesley said – she found more psychopaths in business than in prison! Lesley’s work in some of the UK’s toughest prisons was where she met people whose lives had been characterised by drugs and violence and whose experiences informed the themes she now writes about. Deciding in 2017 to concentrate on her writing again, Lesley produced her debut novel, The Murder Mile. 

 

About The Chair

Saima Mir

SAIMA MIR is a British Pakistani journalist who grew up in Bradford, where she started her career as a local reporter. She has written for The Times, Guardian and Independent. Her essay for It’s Not About the Burqa (Picador) appeared in the Guardian and received over250,000 hits online in two days. She has also contributed to the anthology The Best, MostAwful Job: Twenty Mothers Talk Honestly About Motherhood. THE KHAN is her debut novel. Saima lives in London.