I’m taking a weekend off from the final preparations for this year’s Bodies From The Library conference, which is now only two weeks away, to attend the Alibis in the Archive conference at the wonderful Gladstone’s Library at Hawarden, near Chester. I must say it is great to be able to relax while somebody else is doing all the hard work (in this case the indefatigable Martin Edwards ably supported by the Gladstone’s Library team).

Today’s sessions have featured Dolores Gordon-Smith talking on the mysterious true crime from the Victorian era, the murder of Charles Bravo, Martin himself talking on the 70 year history of the Crime Writers’ Association from its inception on Bonfire Night 1953, Felix Francis talking about how his parents carved out a new career writing bestseller thrillers after the end of his father Dick Francis’s illustrious career as a top jockey, and Len Tyler on the often difficult balancing act to avoid lapses into bad taste when including humour in writing crime fiction.

We were also privileged to be given access to items from the archive of the Crime Writers’ Association which has been transferred to Gladstone’s Library under a long-term agreement that will see the archive protected and properly catalogued for use by scholars of its history.

Tomorrow promises further treats including a look at adapting classic crime fiction for TV and film, investigating just how “cozy” golden age detective fiction was and Chrissie Poulson will be taking a look at detective fiction with university settings.

And, of course, I am looking forward to seeing and hearing Martin, Dolores, Chrissie and Len again very soon when they give their talks at Bodies From The Library on 24th June.