A crime to miss it

Award-winning crime writer Denise Mina will visit Wishaw library next month as part of North Lanarkshire’s annual Encounters cultural festival.

She will present her latest novel, The Long Drop, at the Houldsworth Centre on Thursday, November 2.

It was last month named as Scottish crime book of the year at the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival in Stirling, with the author becoming the first female winner of the prestigious prize – named in honour of writer William McIlvanney.

Encounters organisers said:“Denise has taken elements from the William Watt and Peter Manuel cases and has woven a reimagining of the trial and of the drunken night the two men spent carousing in Glasgow.

“This event is sure to be an Encounters highlight.”

Tickets are free but must be booked by emailing encounters@culturenl. co.uk or calling 01698 524960. Wishaw library will also host events featuring writers David F Ross, Clover Stroud and Emily Dodd during the month-long festival, run by CultureNL.

The annual event celebrates arts, heritage, literature and entertainment through a wide variety of shows, talks, workshops and special events taking place across North Lanarkshire.

Further local festival highlights include sculpture and ceramics workshops at Pather Artworks, family history and art sessions at Wishaw library, a 3D printing demonstration, and a spooky arts and crafts session at Shotts Heritage Centre with a chance to learn about the area’s history. The full Encounters programme for across North Lanarkshire can be found at www.culturenl.co. uk/encounters, along with booking details for each event.