Margie Orford in Cambridge tomorrow

Margie Orford will be at Cambridge University on 21 May to give a talk titled 'Writing Crime', in which she will discuss South African crime fiction and its popularity. She will be joined by Dr Christopher Warnes. The event takes place at 5pm at the Faculty of English and admission is free.

For more information see the University of Cambridge website.

Praise for Margie Orford:

'Margie Orford is world-class. This is crime writing at its very best.' -- Deon Meyer

'Orford [is] top of the class of crime writing in South Africa. This is largely due to her ability to write with a sense of true humanity and yet maintain a pacy sexy style.' -- Jennifer Crocker, Cape Times

Liz Fenwick’s second novel snapped up by Goldmann in Germany

A CORNISH AFFAIR has been purchased by Goldmann, who also published Liz Fenwick's bestselling debut THE CORNISH HOUSE. Goldmann is an imprint of the Random House Group and one of the largest publishing houses in Germany.

Publication is planned for December 2013.

Liz Fenwick is published in Holland by De Boekerji, Norway by Cappelen Damm, Portugal by Quinta Essencai and in the UK by Orion -- where she was their bestselling debut novelist of 2012.

Liz Fenwick's second novel A CORNISH AFFAIR will be published this month by Orion in the UK, and they have already commissioned her next two novels.

Praise for Liz Fenwick:

'Intriguing with a great sense of place.  The perfect 'Cornish' holiday read.' -- Katie Fforde

 'An intriguing, deeply felt and poignant story, stuffed with insight and observation.' -- Elizabeth Buchan

'The setting for her very enjoyable debut novel, The Cornish House ... makes reading so pleasurable as all of the often heartrending events described are juxtaposed with the beauty of the wild, isolated place that has inspired people for centuries... a perfect holiday read ... Liz Fenwick's novel will delight those who have been there and no doubt inspire those who have not to go there as soon as they can. A gripping, atmospheric, and delightful read.' -- Eleanor Fitzsimmons, writing.ie

Poster released for Andy Briggs' LEGENDARY

Hot off the presses, here's the poster for Andy Briggs' 3D action adventure film LEGENDARY, set in the world of 'Cryptozoology'.

The film follows Travis Preston, our heroic cryptozoologist, as he is called to investigate a series of unexplained deaths at a remote construction site. Rumours abound that the cause is a legendary lake monster. Preston, in competition with the ruthless Harker, struggles to prove the monster is more than myth. As the death toll mounts, Preston's suspicions are confirmed: not only is the beast real, but it preys on human flesh.

The film stars action legend Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, The Expendables) and Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, The Bourne Ultimatum) is directed by Eric Styles (Relative Values, True True Lie). It is produced by Midsummer Films, and is due for release later this year.

Guy Meredith’s ONE WINTER'S AFTERNOON on BBC Radio 3, Sunday 19th May

Guy Meredith's excellent new play about an (imagined) meeting between Verdi and Wagner will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 this Sunday, 19th May, at 8.30pm.

ONE WINTER'S AFTERNOON is a bitter-sweet comedy about a meeting between those twin pillars of opera: Verdi and Wagner. A meeting which never took place. The play however envisions Verdi struggling with 'Otello' while the recently deceased Wagner occupies a space in his head. The action ranges over much of the 19th century, following the two lives, until the men achieve an - albeit fictitious - reconciliation.

In this production, Wagner is played by Kenneth Cranham and Verdi by Paul Rhys, while Kate Buffrey plays Verdi's wife Giuseppina and Clive Merrison is Ricordi, his publisher. For more information, the BBC page can be accessed here.

 'Guy Meredith's imaginative new radio play... poignant and amusing retrospective of two operatic lives.' Radio Times

Garry O’Connor discusses his biography of Pope Benedict XVI in video clip

Garry O'Connor discusses SUBDUED FIRES: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF POPE BENEDICT XVI, his captivating and controversial biography of the lately resigned Pope, in this short clip.

Garry O'Connor has previously written biographies of Pope John Paul II and William Shakespeare.

SUBDUED FIRES is available now from The History Press. For more information see the author's website.