The Cumbrian town of Sedbergh is hosting its first ever crime festival, featuring authors of gritty murder mysteries.

‘Death in the Dales’ will take place over three days, starting Friday October 11 and ending around noon on Sunday October 13.

(Image: Jean Briggs) The opening evening will begin with the showing of a film noir, called The Big Heat, which will be introduced by author Matthew Booth at 6.30pm.

A number of authors from the north of England are scheduled to attend, including Martin Edwards, Kate Ellis and Frances Brody.

‘Well known’ expert on crime fiction Martin Edwards has published murder mysteries set in the Lake District and won the Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger.

Described by The Times as ‘a beguiling’ author, Kate Ellis has written five crime novels with a supernatural twist, as well as a trilogy set in the aftermath of the First World War.

Boasting a HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin award, Frances Brody has published 13 murder mysteries featuring a war widow turned detective.

Local authors such as are Deborah Swift from Wharton near Carnforth, and Jean Briggs from Sedbergh will also be attending.

Sedbergh was named as England’s official Book Town in 2003 and is one of three official book towns in the UK alongside Hay-on-Wye in Wales, and Wigtown in Scotland.

One of the organisers, Carole Nelson, said putting the event together has been a huge ‘team effort’, with help from some ‘wonderful trustees’.

About ten years ago, the book town was ‘absolutely flying’.

Carole said that when England hosted the London Olympics in 2012, all the arts money was spent on the event.

After the event, things went ‘very quiet’ and further suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now Sedbergh is fighting to reignite its attraction as a book town, “We’ve got to try and get it back,” Carole said, “Cumbria needs more than just walking and wild swimming.

“Sedbergh is very small, but we have a real sort of mission to keep the designation that was once a big thing.”

She revealed that the subject of crime was chosen because it is one of the most popular genres.

Carole said she hopes to run an event every year, with ideas for the future including Horror and History.

Carole said there is a plan for the book towns across the country to get together some ideas to take to Queen Camilla, who is known to have a love of literature, and ask her to take on a role as patron of the UK book towns.

One of the organisers, Jean Briggs said: “We are working with Westwood Books, Sedbergh, who are running a bookshop for the events.

“Crime fiction is the most popular genre which is why we decided to host the event in Sedbergh. If it is successful, then we would love to host another.”