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Listen back to bestselling author Anthony Horowitz in conversation with author and RTÉ correspondent Sinéad Crowley, recorded in Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse St on Thursday 14 September 2017 at 7pm. Hear the wonderfully entertaining Anthony Horowitz​ read from his latest novel 'The Word is Murder' and talk to Sinéad Crowley about what he reads, how he writes and the way he's seeking to change the classic template for murder mysteries.We love this quote where Anthony remembers when he first discovered libraries and reading as a young boy at boarding school:"I found a library and I began to read books. And books became to me much more than just a read, they became a lifeline, they became an escape" Anthony read from, and talked about his latest novel The Word is Murder, which is the first of a brilliant new detective series set in London featuring Detective Michael Hawthorne.Anthony Horowitz is one of the most prolific and successful writers working in the UK, juggling writing books, TV series, films, plays and journalism. He has written over 40 books including the bestselling teen spy series Alex Rider, which he adapted into a movie that was released worldwide in 2006.  Anthony is also an acclaimed writer for adults and was commissioned by the Conan Doyle Estate and Orion Books to write two new Sherlock Holmes novels – The House of Silk and Moriarty. He was commissioned by the Ian Fleming Estate to write the James Bond novel Trigger Mortis. His most recent stand-alone novel, Magpie Murders, was a Top Five Sunday Times bestseller.Anthony is responsible for creating and writing some of the UK’s most beloved and successful television series, producing the first seven episodes (and the title) of Midsomer Murders. He is the writer and creator of award-winning drama series Foyle’s War, which was the Winner of the Lew Grade Audience award for BAFTA. DCS Foyle was voted the nation’s favourite detective in 2011.Anthony was awarded an OBE for his services to literature in January 2014. Sinéad Crowley is the author of three crime novels featuring Detective Claire Boyle. Her debut novel Can Anybody Help Me? was a bestseller in Ireland and shortlisted for the Crime Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in 2014. Her other two novels are Are You Watching Me? and One Bad Turn, which was published in June. She is the Arts and Media Correspondent for RTÉ, working on television, radio and online. The Word is MurderIt’s been two years since Injustice aired and Detective Daniel Hawthorne needs cash. Having gotten himself fired from his job at the Metropolitan police, Hawthorne decides to approach Anthony Horowitz. He’s investigating a bizarre and complex murder and he wants Anthony to write a book about it, a bestselling book of course, with a 50/50 split. The only catch is they need to solve the crime.But award winning crime writer Anthony Horowitz has never been busier in his life. He’s working on Foyle’s War and writing his first Sherlock Holmes novel. He has a life of his own and doesn’t really want to be involved with a man he finds challenging to say the least. And yet he finds himself fascinated by the case and the downright difficult detective with the brilliant, analytical mind. Would it be really such a crazy idea for Anthony to become the Watson to his Holmes? The Hastings to his Poirot?Should he stick to writing about murder? Or should he help investigate?A classic crime for the modern reader, The Word is Murder is a whodunnit to end all whodunnits.

Crime is serious business in Dublin and we love to read about it. From novels about detectives to accounts of serial killers, from gangster biographies to analysis of social issues, we have an appetite for all of it. During October the Central Library hosted 'Crime in the City: Crime and History', a series of talks and readings looking at the broad issue of crime in Dublin through the ages. This series of events brought together writers of fiction, historians, researchers and bloggers to inform, entertain and promote discussion. So if you are a lover of crime fiction, historical fiction or just interested in the history of Dublin, you are sure to enjoy listening back to these fascinating talks and readings. If you can't get enough crime don't forget the Irish Crime Fiction Festival is on soon! Michael Russell and Kevin McCarthy will join Conor Brady, Stuart Neville and Eoin McNamee to discuss historical crime fiction on Saturday 23rd November 10-11.15am. Joe Joyce reading from EcholandJoe Joyce read from his brand new thriller Echoland in the Central Library on 3rd October. The book is set in Dublin in June 1940. Young lieutenant Paul Duggan, part of G2, the army's intelligence division is ordered to investigate a suspected German spy. His politician uncle is also making demands of Paul. His daughter Nuala has gone missing and he is desperate to keep the fact from the papers and the Blueshirts.Joe also spoke of how the rich history of Dublin during 'the Emergency'- the period of the Second World War - a time full of uncertainty and turbulence inspired the writing of this great new read.Joe Joyce is author of 'The Boss', 'The Trigger Man', 'The Guinnesses: the untold story of Ireland's most successful family' and 'The Tower'. His most recent book is 'Echoland' was published in August. Joe Joyce Transcript  Donal Fallon takes a fresh look at Dublin's notorious 'Animal Gangs'Dublin gangs have been locking horns with the IRA long before Nidge and the boys came up against Dano and Git Loughman in RTÉ's Love/Hate. In this fascinating talk, Donal seeks to separate fact from folklore regarding the notorious 'Animal gangs' of the 1930s and 1940s.   Donal Fallon is co-author of 'Come Here To Me: Dublin's Other History' and a regular contributor to www.comeheretome.com. He also lectures with the UCD Adult Education Department. Donal's talk was recorded at the Central Library on 10th October 2013.  Donal Fallon Transcript Michael Russell reading from his novelsMichael Russell visited the Central Library on 17th October and read from his two novels, The City of Shadows and City of Strangers. The books form part of a series that take protagonist Garda Detective Stefan Gillespie through the early 1930s to the Second World War, 'the Emergency'. Along the way Gillespie encounters many real life historical figures as he visits locations such as Danzig, New York, London and Berlin. Michael Russell Transcript Kevin McCarthy reading from his novelsKevin McCarthy visited the Central Library on 31st October and read from his new book Irregulars. The book is set in Dublin in 1922 during the Civil War. Through his main characters Sean O'Keefe, a demobbed RIC man and Nora Flynn who works for the ruthless CID, Kevin explores this traumatic epoch of Irish history. Kevin also discusses the process of researching and writing historical novels. While researching the book he discovers CID files were burnt by order of the Minister of Home Affairs in the aftermath of the Civil War in an attempt to sanitise the records of vicious acts and move on with the founding of the Free State. Kevin is author of the historical crime novels Peeler and Irregulars. Irregulars has recently been shortlisted for the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Book of the Year in the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards 2013. The winner will be announced on Saturday 30th November. Good luck Kevin!Kevin McCarthy Transcript

In September of 2011 we held our first series of ‘Crime and the City’ where over the course of five weeks we had talks from five different authors of fiction, non-fiction and social research - all on the broad topics of crime and drugs.The idea was to bring a cross section of people together to deliver a series of talks that would be relevant as well as entertaining. From the feedback and comments people passed on we seem to have achieved what we set out to and we hope to be able to do it all again in 2012. In the meantime if you want to be reminded of what went on, or if you missed out we have some of the talks and presentations below for your enjoyment.Declan BurkeDeclan Burke is an author, journalist and noted blogger. As the owner of the Crime Always Pays website he keeps tabs on the crime writing scene, paying special attention to works and writers of Irish interest.  He also pens a monthly Crime Beat column for The Irish Times Review supplement. A multi-talented chap he edited the recent bestselling Down these Green Streets anthology which drew together contributions from the cream of Irish crime writers and commentators on the craft, context and critical relevance of the crime genre in this Emerald Isle.Declan read from his novel Absolute Zero Cool, which was shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Irish Book Award and in between segments explained how he had come to write this well regarded book.Questions initially focused on the writing process, his publishing history, online promotion and his blog. Discussion afterwards ranged on everything from blowing up hospitals to crime writing in Ireland.Declan Burke talk transcript.Check availability of books by Declan Burke in the library catalogue. Johnny ConnollyJohnny Connolly is a criminologist in the Alcohol and Drugs Research Unit of the Health Research Board. He has researched and written on community policing, drugs and crime and alternatives to imprisonment. He is a Board member of the Irish Penal Reform Trust.Johnny gave a talk outlining current research and policy on the broad areas of crime and drugs. He explained where the statistics in use come from, what they explain and what they may conceal. He also went through recent trends in drug consumption (rise in the Celtic tiger years, subsequent fall and the ‘headshop’ phenomena) and the official response to this. The presentation was followed by questions and answers.Johnny Connolly talk transcript.Audio only:Check availability of books by Johnny Connolly in the library catalogue.John LonerganJohn Lonergan entered the prison service in 1968 and became Governor of Mountjoy in 1984.  After 42 years in the prison service he retired and wrote The Governor which told his life story from his upbringing in rural Tipperary to his retirement as the Governor of Mountjoy.John gave a very engaging talk on his time in the Prison Service and his philosophy on prison, dealing with prisoners and people in general. He touched on parenting, the importance of education, self-esteem and community. John Lonergan talk transcript.Check availability of 'Governor' in the library catalogue. Cormac MillarCormac Millar is the author of the critically acclaimed novels An Irish Solution and The Grounds. Cormac read from An Irish Solution, interspersing it with comments and questions about the nature of crime and crime writing, the paradoxes raised when society attempts to control criminal activities and the failings of the political establishment.Cormac Millar talk transcript.Search for books by Cormac Millar in the library catalogue. Paul O'MahonyPaul O'Mahony gave a thought provoking talk outlining the arguments made in his book The Irish War on Drugs. A criminologist and a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in Trinity College Dublin he has written extensively on the issues of drugs, crime, treatment, prison and rehabilitation. Interestingly his work was referenced by both Johnny Connolly and John Lonergan who spoke earlier in the series. Paul’s talk was recorded but subsequently sabotaged by gremlins. Unfortunately the audio was unrecoverable. The Irish War on Drugs by Paul O' MahonyView more presentations from dubcilib  Subscribe to literary readings and talks in a reader