Four members of BCWG recently made the trip to Playhouse Whitley Bay for Bay Tales 2026, a full day crime fiction event that proved to be one of the highlights of our literary calendar so far.
The day was billed as a crime fiction event, but “crime” barely covers it. This was murder, mayhem, and the genuinely unnerving question of where fiction ends and, in some cases, unsettling possibility begins. The panels were brilliant across the board, and the atmosphere in the Playhouse was exactly what you’d hope for, a room full of people who love books, reading, writing and aren’t afraid to explore the darker corners of human nature.
Standout moments for me started with Belinda Bauer and her story centering around Guillemots (book bought, signed, and now sitting very impatiently on the to-read pile), Ruth Ware, Katherine Bradley, and A.K. Benedict, as well as Ragnar Jónasson bringing how own Nordic perspective to proceedings. Tanya Sweeney and Frances Crawford, newly discovered authors, also made for compelling listening, and Katherine Bradley’s background, from managing services for homeless people to writing dark suspense, gave real texture to the conversation about where story ideas come from.
We came away buzzing with ideas, scribbled notes, and the pleasant realisation that crime fiction might be one of the most fun genres of all. Who knew that spending a day in the company of fictional murderers and their creators could be quite so joyful?
One small word of warning, though… if you happen to find yourself on the dinner guest list of Sarah Govett, and decide to attend… perhaps check the menu before committing. That’s all we’ll say. IYKYK.
Highly recommended. We’ll be back.
Barnard Castle Writing Group 