Sam Blake is the founder of the Murder ONE International Crime Writing Festival – Ireland’s first designated crime festival, taking place in Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature, in November 2018.

For a first festival the line-up of crime writers is massively impressive. International bestseller, Michael Connelly opens with a special preview event on October 28^{th .}

The main events, taking place in the historic Smock Alley Theatre, one of Dublin’s premier event venues, run from 2nd – 4^th November. Featured over the weekend will be a stellar cast of crime and thriller writers including Lynda La Plante, Peter James, Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Clare Mackintosh, Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware, Mick Herron and Robert Goddard together with many Irish crime writers including Liz Nugent, Jane Casey, Karen Perry and many more

International bestseller Lynda La Plante will also bring festival attendees a unique free workshop for anyone interested in the world of forensics or Crime Scene Investigation. This interactive event is hosted by Think Forensic whose experts include CSI’s, forensic scientists, and senior investigating officers. In Lynda La Plante’s CSI Murder Room, get a hands on introduction to forensic science during which you will be briefed on the crime of the day, inspired by Lynda’s newest thriller Murder Mile, and help the team solve it. This is a free event but booking is essential!

With crime writing consistently the highest selling genre worldwide, the time is ripe for a great literary city to expand its festival portfolio and Murder One, it is hoped, will become one of the key events in the national and international crime festival calendar.