We are delighted to welcome best-selling authors Janice Hallett and Elly Griffiths to our Book Club this December. They will be showcasing their latest works, The Christmas Appeal (Janice Hallett) and The Great Deceiver (Elly Griffiths), and will be interviewed about their novels, their inspirations, and their writing processes by our host for the evening, Joe Haddow.
There will be an opportunity for an audience Q&A and copies of their books will be available to buy and have signed by the respective authors on the night.
Joe Haddow returns as our fantastic Book Club host for the evening. Joe is an author and broadcaster; he runs the Radio 2 Book Club, chairs literary events across the country and is the host of the popular Book Off! Podcast.
Early arrival is recommended. Pre-drinks and refreshments will be available to purchase on the night from 7pm.
No pre-reading is required – just book your ticket and come along.
Ticket price: £15.00
Janice Hallett
Janice Hallett spent several years as a magazine editor, winning awards for journalism. Her debut novel, The Appeal, was a Waterstones ‘Thriller of the Month’ and winner of the CWA Debut Dagger award. Her second novel, The Twyford Code, won the ‘British Crime & Thriller Book of the Year’, and her third novel, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller.
The Christmas Appeal
A Christmas Panto. One Dead Santa. And Everyone’s a Suspect!
Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, to raise money for the church roof appeal. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking amongst the amateur dramatics’ enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the fibreglass beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and a someone is intent on ruining the panto even before the curtain goes up.
Of course, there’s also the matter of the dead body. Who could possibly have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they read the round robins, examine the emails and pore over the police transcripts. Will the show go on?
“The queen of tricksy crime” Sunday Times
“Completely addictive” Daily Mail
“A tour de force.” Observer
Elly Griffiths
Acclaimed crime author Elly Griffiths worked in publishing before becoming a full-time writer. She is best known for her award-winning Dr Ruth Galloway series and The Brighton Mystery series.
In 2018 Elly wrote her first standalone novel The Stranger Diaries. The novel was a top 10 paperback bestseller, selected for the BBC Radio 2 Book Club, as a summer 2019 Richard and Judy book and won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in the USA. Her second standalone,The Postscript Murders followed, and her third standalone Bleeding Heart Yard published to glowing reviews in October 2022. The paperback of Bleeding Heart Yard was published in April 2023 and triumphantly stood as Hachette’s highest selling title of the week.
The Great Deceiver
Magician Max Mephisto, now divorced and living in London, is on his way to visit daughter Ruby and her new-born baby when he is hailed by a voice from the past, fellow performer Ted English, aka the Great Deceiver. Ted’s assistant, Cherry, has been found dead in her Brighton boarding house and he’s convinced that he’ll be accused of her murder.
“A piquant mixture of humour, period detail… and truly beguiling characterisation” Financial Times
“Enormously engaging… subtle, charming and very good” Daily Mail
“Full of period detail, smart plotting and likeable characters.” Mail on Sunday
Every ticket counts! At St Helen’s, everything we do is designed to enable pupils to become the best possible version of themselves. The funds raised from this event will support our ambitious Bursary and Scholarship programme; continuing our commitment to widening access to an exceptional education to all prospective pupils, irrespective of financial means or social circumstances.?
Books are available for purchase on the night, in association with Chorleywood Bookshop.
