Crime Pays

Crime writer / Überlord Peter James set the scene for us in last week’s Litopia After Dark, and tonight we raise the curtain on Radio Litopia’s CRIME WAVE – a season of shows focussed on this most prolific and expansive of genres: one that accounts for a quarter of all books sold.

Three terrific, working writers for your entertainment and edification this evening.  First, there’s Barbara Nadel, queen of oriental mystery. “Oriental” as in Istanbul, where her very successful Inspector Çetin İkmen series is based, but also east as in East London, the scene for her forthcoming series about a private detective agency run by a typical east end ‘bloke’ and a covered Muslim woman… can’t wait to see how that works out.

Our most senior panellist tonight is Roger Silverwood – author of some 24 titles including the long-running ‘Inspector Angel Mysteries’.  Roger’s first book was published in 1971 and his most recent March 2011.

A comparative newcomer to the genre is our third guest, Chris Nickson.  A music journalist – he spent eight years as a regular music commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered – Chris has returned to his native Albion to write about murder most foul in the English city of Leeds… in the 18th century. His passion for the city and its people is infectious, and his work is attracting just the sort of readers’ enthusiasm that marks him out for an outstanding career in this genre.

But that’s not all you’re getting tonight. Peter springs a surprise on our doughty panel and challenges them to construct a brand new crime novel… live, unscripted and on-air! The result is Magenta Delicious… and it will be continued next week, with a brand new panel of guests. Unmissable, or what?

This show also heralds the most welcome return of the globe-trotting Ali… who has recently purchased an outlying European country for a mere bagatelle… to the relief of many merchant bankers, one understands…

With Dave Bartram and Peter Cox.