CRIME fiction continues to capture the attention of local readers, and this month they have the chance to hear from two exponents of the craft at the Myrtleford Library. Amanda Hampson and Shelley Burr will be at the library on Wednesday, 14 May at 10.30am. Hosted by Edgars Books and News, the High Country Library Corporation and Hyphen, the author talks will give readers an insight into the writing process for a crime novel, whether thriller/suspense like Shelley's new release 'Vanish', or 'cosy crime' such as the third in Amanda's Tea Ladies series, 'The Deadly Dispute'. Both authors relish the sense of community that exists among crime writers, and are looking forward to chatting to each other and to readers who come along for the sessions. Shelley has followed up to her novel 'Ripper', with another gripping, atmospheric thriller in 'Vanish', which was released on 30 April. Like her first two books, it features private investigator Lane Holland, now a disgraced ex-con who is desperate for redemption. When he stumbles on a chilling lead in the decades-old disappearance of Matilda Carver, he infiltrates the enigmatic Karpathy farm, a supposed sanctuary for lost souls where people go to start anew, then vanish without a trace. The story is inspired by real events which took place in the US more than 100 years ago. "It is a departure for me to base a book so heavily on a single case, and I started looking at it not really for a book - but sometimes that's what happens," Shelley said. "It was a situation in which it was very clear that one person was responsible for the death of another, but there was no weapon and no violence; they had clearly been manipulated and coerced. "What was interesting is that it was such a bizarre case, but then when you look through the years, it's something that happens again and again." Shelley, who has achieved the 'vision journal' dream of writing full-time following the success of her bestselling debut novel 'Wake' and its follow-up 'Ripper', said crime fiction formed a large part of her reading diet, and she also loved working in the genre. "Crime fiction is a puzzle, and I love a good puzzle," she said. Since building her writing career, she has enjoyed meeting other exponents of the genre. "Crime fiction authors are really nice to each other; I think we get all our aggression out on the page," she said. That rapport will be on show during the local events, according to Amanda, who is back with the third of what she has planned to be five novels featuring Hazel, Betty and Irene. 'The Deadly Dispute' is set in 1967 Melbourne, as the tea ladies find themselves entangled in a dangerous web of crime when $1 million in gold coins vanishes, a body washes ashore, and one of their own goes missing. "I think at the moment, particularly with the dark skies hanging over us globally, people are really enjoying stepping back into the '60s," she said. "At a time when fiction sales are down, 'The Deadly Dispute' is going gangbusters." And while the fifth Tea Ladies book, to be set in 1969, will be the last in this series, Amanda said she was in the planning stages for a new series also set in the '60s, so she won't be leaving the decade altogether. While the Crime Time session at Myrtleford Library is free, bookings are requested. To book, drop into Edgars, any of the libraries or book via the Edgars Events page online: https://edgarsbooksandnews.com.au/events/ All books in each author’s series will be available to purchase at the events, from Edgars Books & News at 55 Murphy Street Wangaratta or via their online store at https://edgarsbooksandnews.com.au/ Following the talks, Amanda and Shelley will sign copies of their books.
