As literary legend Dame Agatha Christie once wrote: “Fear is incomplete knowledge.”
Residents sought to assuage this fear at a recent crime writing festival in Gerrards Cross on Saturday, October 5.
Chiltern Kills made an explosive return this year following the inaugural event in 2023, bringing together the biggest names in crime writing from thriller icon Sir Ian Rankin OBE to the mysterious Secret Barrister.
The festival was held in aid of youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, which provides support and secure housing to help give homeless young people a future.
Residents had a chance to hear from the brains behind of some of fiction’s most notorious killers and detectives, explore the problems of the criminal justice system, and learn what it takes to create an international bestseller.
Sixteen panels were scheduled throughout the day, including a conversation with renowned author Jeffrey Archer and Death in Paradise creator Robert Thorogood.
Locals armed to the teeth with blood-splattering knowledge were invited to stop for a drink at the Who Dun Him Inn and enjoy some delicious refreshments at the gourmet food company.
Co-founders of the festival and fellow thriller writers Tony Kent and Paul Waters organised the event alongside Victoria Christian and Aneysha Minocha.
Victoria shared: “Chiltern Kills is really a coming together of the local community.
“Everything that we do today goes towards Centrepoint which makes us a unique festival with a lovely down-to-earth vibe.”
Festivalgoers were able to meet some of their literary icons at the Chiltern Bookshop, where they could buy copies of the speakers’ books to be signed.
Ellie and Anna met with a range of talented guests, including Jeffrey Archer, Sir Ian Rankin OBE and broadcaster Phil Williams.
Phil said: “There is a good vibe here. Writers and readers are mingling freely and there is lots of nice conversation.”
BBC journalist and broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who is releasing the first book in a new murder mystery series in April 2025, shared that the thrills began on the way to the festival.
Speaking to Chalfonts & Gerrards Cross News, he said: “When I was on the train coming over, a man stood up on the train making a religious speech to the carriage and I wasn’t really listening but the last thing he said was ‘it’s turned my life around because last year I was in jail for a terrible, sinister and manipulative crime’.
“And I thought that’s the perfect introduction to a crime festival. I thought they might have put it on.”
This year, visitors were also offered the rare chance to meet with literary agent Nicky Lovik of WGM Atlantic Talent & Literary Group to discuss ideas and stories.
At the end of the night, the authors got behind the bar to pour locals some of their favourite drinks.
For those who wanted to try out their new skills, How to Murder a Song karaoke brought crime writers and book lovers together for a boogie.
The festival will return next year on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Tickets are already on sale at www.chilternkills.com
0 Comments