Contact information Chorlton Library, Manchester Road, Manchester M21 9PN0161 227 3700Twitter: @chorltonbfwww.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk

The Chorlton Book Festival returns for its 12th year with more events and authors than ever before! This year’s action-packed programme includes Costa Book Award- winning author Andrew Michael Hurley, bestselling crime-and-thriller writers Rachel Abbott and Paul Finch, a local history walk with Andrew Simpson, open-mic poetry with Flapjack Press, the Beech Inn pub quiz, as well as an immersive murder mystery in Chorlton Library presented by After Dark Entertainment. All events are free and at Chorlton Library unless stated. For events where booking is advised, please go to www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk or call 0161 227 3700.

Masks of Mystery and Imagination 15 October – 12 NovemberJoin our mask decorating competition for all ages. Theme your mask to your favourite – or most feared! – character in a mystery thriller or crime book. Will your mask intrigue us with mystery or scare us out of our wits? The creative choice is yours! Find out more and buy your mask (£1.75) at the Make It Shop, 488 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 9AS (near the precinct). Competition closes on Saturday 12 November.

Photo credit: Martin Figura

The LoneySaturday 26 NovemberAndrew Michael Hurley 7–9pm

Multi-award-winning author Andrew Michael Hurley.

Winner of the 2015 Costa First Novel Award.

The British Book Awards Book of the Year 2016.

A beautiful, thrilling and unsettling debut novel.‘Modern classics in this genre are rare, and instant ones even rarer; The Loney, however, looks as though it may be both.’ Sunday TelegraphIf it had another name, I never knew, but the locals called it the Loney – that strange nowhere between the Wyre and the Lune where Hanny and I went every Easter time with Mummer, Farther, Mr and Mrs Belderboss and Father Wilfred, the parish priest. It was impossible to truly know the place. It changed with each influx and retreat, and the neap tides would reveal the skeletons of those who thought they could escape its insidious currents. No one ever went near the water. No one apart from us, that is. I suppose I always knew that what happened there wouldn’t stay hidden for ever, no matter how much I wanted it to and no matter how hard I tried to forget.Andrew Michael Hurley has lived in Manchester and is now based in Lancashire, where he teaches English Literature and Creative Writing.

The Loney is his first novel.Tickets (£5, including refreshments) can be booked at www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk or by calling 0161 227 3700.

SALES AND LETTINGSwww.jpandbrimelow.co.uk@jpandbrimelow

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18–26 November 2016

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Witches and SuperstitionsThursday 24 November, 10–11.30amChorlton Good Neighbours host a special Book Festival Coffee Morning, featuring guest speaker Jean Finney. Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church, Egerton Road South, M21 0XJ

Poetry SlamThursday 24 November, 4–6pm A spoken word, beatboxing and rap workshop with some of the stars of Manchester’s Young Identity group. All young people welcome.

The Flapjack Press Open-Mic Poetry Night featuring Rosie GarlandThursday 24 November, 7–9pm Flapjack Press are bringing their famous open-mic night to Chorlton Book Festival. Hosted by Tony Curry and featuring the very special guest-poet, Rosie Garland! Born in London to a runaway teenager, Rosie has always been a cuckoo in the nest. She’s an eclectic writer and performer who has published two novels and five solo collections of poetry. To reserve your open-mic slot, email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. Free tickets can be booked at www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk or by calling 0161 227 3700.

Storytime – Magical World of BooksFriday 25 November, 10.30–11.30am Come along dressed as your favourite book character, and join us for stories, songs and rhymes. No need to book – all under-5s and their parents or carers welcome.

Grand Day Out – Over-50s Social GroupFriday 25 November, 2–4pm A special Chorlton Book Festival-themed Grand Day Out, featuring the talents of the wonderful George Melling ‘Th’Owd Chap’ and Sharon Lowe. George is in his 70s and is a regular on the poetry scene in the north west. He is also a member of the Wigan Ukulele Band. George regularly performs in public, raising money for local hospice charities.

BSI Book Scene InvestigationFriday 25 November, 6.30–9pm The Manchester Muslim Writers host a special creative-writing workshop on the craft of writing a mystery or crime novel. Since their inception in 2009, their aim has been to nurture writers of Muslim origin in the art and craft of creative writing and to ultimately weave the narratives of Muslims into the tapestry of British life.

Masters of Digital DisguiseSaturday 26 November, 2–4pmGet creative with 3D doodle pens and other gadgets in this special craft session for children. All children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Chorlton Mystery WalkSunday 20 November, 2–3.15pm Join local historian Andrew Simpson for a guided tour around the unknown side of Chorlton. Discover the truth behind old mysteries and folk tales. Meet at Chorlton Green, M21 9HS. Tickets £4.75, including refreshments at the Dressing Room cafe at The Edge Theatre after the walk. Can be booked at www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk or by calling 0161 227 3700.

A Murder in the LibraryMonday 21 November, 6.30–9pm (performance starts at 7pm prompt)After Dark Entertainment present a site- specific 1930s Super Sleuth Murder Mystery. When famous golden-age detectives are invited to a remote mansion by a reclusive author they get more than they bargained for, as he reveals that one of them is the mysterious thief ‘The Falcon’. Before he can reveal which one of them it is, he ends up dead. Can the other detectives uncover the truth before it’s too late? An immersive theatre experience for ages 14 and over. Tickets £5, including a glass of wine or soft drink, can be booked at www.chorltonbook festival.co.uk or by calling 0161 227 3700.

Chorlton Book Festival Beech Inn Pub QuizTuesday 22 November, 8pm onwards Do you know your Austen from your Gaskell? What is the pseudonym for JK. Rowling’s crime-writing author? Who wrote the bestselling novel The Girl on the Train? If you are a proper book freak and want to win some good-quality prizes, come along to the famous Beech Inn Book Quiz on Tuesday night. £1 per person, payable at the Beech Inn on the night.

Crime-writer Rachel AbbottWednesday 23 November, 7–9pmRachel Abbott was born just outside Manchester, England, and spent most of her early working life as the Managing Director of an interactive media company. Rachel launched her first novel, ‘Only the Innocent’, in November 2011. The book was self-published in the UK through the Kindle Direct Publishing programme on Amazon, and reached the number 1 spot in the Kindle store just over three months later. Since then, Rachel has gone on to write five more bestselling novels. In 2015, Amazon confirmed that Rachel was the UK’s bestselling independent author over the previous five years.Tickets £3, including a drink, can be booked at www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk or by calling 0161 227 3700.

An Evening with Manky PoetsFriday 18 November, 7.45–9.30pm Join the wonderful Copland Smith at the annual Chorlton Book Festival celebration of wordsmiths, featuring special guest poet David Morley.David is the award-winning writer of eight books of poetry. His collection, The Invisible Gift: Selected Poems, won the prestigious 2015 Ted Hughes Award and the 2016 Cholmondeley Award from The Society of Authors.Tickets £2, or £1 concession on the door.

It’s a Mystery!Saturday 19 November, 11am–4.30pmThere’s something strange happening at Chorlton Library and we need YOU to solve the puzzle. Come along dressed as your favourite character for an afternoon of secret agent fun, lots of crafts, an amazing Cluedo Hunt, and prizes to win all afternoon! All children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.Sessions include: You’ve Been Framed! Design your own props to create a whodunit character, and using green-screen technology step forward for a mystery-themed photoshoot.Digital Disguises and Funny Faces How many ways can you disguise your face? Use the latest apps and take a printed version home with you.

Mysterious Masks Use recycled materials to decorate a mask. Which mysterious character will you become?

Food For Your SoulSaturday 19 November, 11am–3pm We’ll be outside Chorlton Library with lots of information about the forthcoming events in the festival. During the day there will also be traditional storytelling from Richard O’Neill, a prize draw, Chorlton Book Festival merchandise and a raffle.

Thriller-writer Paul FinchSaturday 19 November, 7–9pm Paul is the bestselling author of ‘Hunted’ and ‘Stalkers’, and this summer he introduced an even darker crime thriller. In his latest release, ‘Strangers’, Paul introduces a stand-out new heroine, PC Lucy Clayburn. She is fearless and she is determined but, as PC Lucy Clayburn is about to find out, going undercover is the most dangerous work there is. Tickets £3, including a drink, can be booked at www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk or by calling 0161 227 3700.

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