Crime writers and police offer clues into how they work
The mysteries of crime fiction and the realities of crime-fighting were revealed during Portsmouth BookFest's Crime and the City event.
In what was dubbed CSI Portsmouth, internationally-acclaimed crime writers were joined by police and forensic experts at the John Pounds Centre, in Portsea, to uncover the facts behind the fiction.
And despite serious subject matter, two audiences of more than 200 eager fiction-fans were treated to fascinating and often funny discussions of the motivation, accuracy and research behind their favourite thrillers.
Masterminded by Hayling Island author Pauline Rowson as part of the News-backed BookFest, the forum enlisted the talents of writers Graham Hurley, June Hampson, Peter Lovesey and Simon Brett.
And on hand to talk about the reality of solving crimes were Detective Sergeant Martin Chudley, Jane Aston from the force's ?ngerprinting bureau, Dr Claire Nee, director of the University of Portsmouth's Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology, and her colleague Dr Paul Smith.
Organiser Mrs Rowson admitted that even though her books are thoroughly researched she still dreads running into police officers who have read them.
'I know what I write isn't always true to life,' she said. 'But if I wrote about the way the police actually solve crimes my books would be 1,000 pages long and nobody would want to read them.'
Simon Brett, who created the Charles Paris, Mrs Pargeter and Fethering series, and has worked in radio and TV, said he agrees.
'Well I write about amateur detectives,' he said. 'Which I know have never existed in the history of crime solving, so I prefer to play around with the cliches of the genre.'
Det Sgt Chudley said one way in which real life differs from fiction, is that there simply aren't as many violent crimes.
He said: 'Whenever I stop someone for speeding they always ask me why I'm not out catching murderers; well it's because there just aren't that many around.'
Family Football Quiz with Tom Palmer: Wednesday, November 10, at the Victory Suite, Fratton Park, 6pm to 7.30pm
Scott Pack's Book Swap: Friday, November 12, at Aspex Gallery, Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays, from 7.30pm
Guy Bass talks at Wimbourne Junior School: Friday, November 12, from 9.30am to 2.15pm
Meet Chris Ryan - The One That Got Away: Saturday, November 13, at the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney Esplanade, from 7.30pm
For tickets call the box office on (023) 9268 8037.
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