LYME Crime’s line-up continues to strengthen with the addition of local author Laurence Anholt to the literary festival.

The festival was launched online in June 2020 and returns for a full, three-day event spanning June 23 to June 25 at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.

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Acclaimed children’s author turned crime writer Laurence Anholt will be speaking at the crime and thriller literary festival from 10am on Saturday, June 25. He’ll be discussing his Mindful Detectives series - set in Lyme Regis no less - that features the reluctant protagonist Vincent Caine.

The series follows Caine, a police officer who just wants to be left to meditate in his secluded cabin on the Undercliff, and his wise-cracking colleague, DI Shanti Joyce, who has other ideas. With their symbiotic skills the unlikely duo becomes the go-to team for solving weird crimes in the West Country.

In a career spanning three decades, Laurence Anholt has written more than 200 books and his titles have sold millions of copies in 30 languages. The Mindful Detective titles are Laurence’s first venture into adult crime fiction and have been described as ‘Broadchurch meets Fargo’.

Paddy Magrane, Lyme Crime festival director, said: “I’m so delighted Laurence can join us to chat about these wonderful books. He’s such an entertaining speaker and, with their setting in Lyme and elsewhere in the West Country, the books are sure to appeal to our audience.”

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The announcement follows on from the news that, former Home Secretary, Alan Johnson will be a guest of honour at the west Dorset literary festival.

Mr Johnson, who served as a cabinet minister in both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown’s Government, will be speaking about his first thriller ‘The Last Train to Gypsy Hill’.

Paddy Magrane said: "It’s a huge honour to welcome Alan Johnson to our inaugural festival. He has an extraordinary hinterland as a senior politician and a deep love of crime fiction. It will be fascinating hearing how he’s brought those two worlds together with his new thriller: which I know is infused with authentic and credible detail about espionage and security."

For more information on the programme and to buy tickets, visit www.lymecrime.co.uk