Yes, the Bodies From The Library conference is back after falling victim, along with almost everything else, to COVID last year. What is Bodies From The Library, I hear you cry? Well, it’s a hugely enjoyable conference for lovers of all aspects of Golden Age crime fiction held since 2015 in the British Library. If you want to read a little about what you’ve missed in the past, then do check out my reports on 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

There’s a change this year – well, a few of changes actually. First of all, as you might well guess, it’s going to be online. To be precise, it will be held via Zoom on the afternoon of May 15th from 1:30pm to 6:00pm. Of course, by not attending in person, that lovely gift bag won’t be present this year – boo! – but it does mean that people who normally wouldn’t be able to attend due to land, sea, air or generally life getting in the way can be there at the click of a button.

And the second change? This year, it’s free! Yes, absolutely free! You’ll have to register in advance – the link is below – but it’s all very easy to do.

The programme this year is a strong one – when is it not? – and consists of some of my favourite writers and bloggers and, um… me talking about you know who. It is:

• 1.30pm Introduction and Welcome
• 1.35pm Opening Panel: Martin Edwards, Alison Joseph and Kate Ellis discuss  Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by The Detection Club
• 2.05pm Martin Edwards and Christine Poulson assess Anthony and Peter Shaffer

BREAK

• 2.45pm Jim Noy TBC
• 3.15pm Moira Redmond and Len Tyler examine The Great Gladys (Mitchell)

BREAK

• 3.55pm Mark Green looks at Fogginess: A comparison of the writing styles of the four Queens of Crime
• 4.25pm Steve Barge and Kate Jackson consider The Resurrection of Brian Flynn

BREAK

• 5.05pm Curtis Evans uncovers The Many Faces of Patrick Quentin, Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge
• 5.35pm Closing panel with Jake Kerridge (Q/A subject to be decided)

The organisers reserve the right to change the programme and timings. 

Should you be interested, then keep an eye on the Bodies website and if you fancy signing up, then the link for that is here. Maybe see you there!