Featuring local writers Mel Pennant, Adam Simcox and Piotr Cieplak in conversation about the inspiration behind their stories.

Join us for an engaging afternoon with three Lewisham-based crime and thriller writers published by the John Murray Group, as they discuss their work, their inspirations, and the many ways crime fiction can illuminate society, history and community.

Featuring Mel Pennant, Adam Simcox and Piotr Cieplak, this panel will showcase the breadth and diversity of contemporary fiction writing in Lewisham.

Mel Pennant, who lives in Lee, is currently shortlisted for both the CWA Whodunnit Award and the McDermid Debut Prize for her acclaimed first novel, A Murder for Miss Hortense. She will discuss her much-anticipated second novel, Miss Hortense and the Last Rites, published in July 2026, and the rich Caribbean community and Pardner network that shape her work.

Adam Simcox is the author of a series of science fiction-inspired crime novels featuring a dead detective. His latest book, the time-travelling thriller Time Jump, will be published in September 2026. Adam's writing blends mystery, fantasy and nostalgia, with even a cameo appearance from a Hither Green café.

Piotr Cieplak, who lives in Forest Hill, is the author of Zofia Nowak's Book of Superior Detecting. Alongside writing fiction, he researches filmmaking and genocide and lectures at the University of Sussex. His work explores themes including immigration, identity and homophobia through the lens of crime fiction.

From Caribbean sleuths and supernatural detectives to stories that tackle questions of belonging and social change, this panel offers a fascinating insight into the many forms that crime, mystery and suspense can take, and celebrates the vibrant literary talent being created right here in Lewisham.