Once again the weather was glorious for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival held the fourth weekend of July at the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate. For those of you who might not know, Old Peculier is a beer brewed in nearby Masham. A few months ago I visited the brewery premises when in Masham for a crime writing event at the Town Hall with Stephen Booth. And, since you ask, I recommend Theakston beer and their cheese!

I took part in a panel with (left to right) Simon Brett, Ruth Wa...