A Criminally Good Day, Saturday 29 June, Harwich

Join us for a fabulous day of criminally good events in Harwich. With author talks and a film-screening at Electric Palace, one of Essex’s leading cultural venues; a family ‘Litter is Criminal’ workshop on Harwich Beach and a Game Changer Workshop with award-winning Signals, there really is something for everyone.


Author events at Electric Palace, Harwich

Ticket Deal

Make a day of it! Buy a ticket to 2 author events, get the 3rd event free.

Venue: Electric Palace, King’s Quay Street, Harwich, CO12 3ER
Tickets: £10 / £8 per event

1.00pm Nicci French, Has Anyone See Charlotte Salter?

An exciting new collaboration between Essex Book Festival and Felixstowe Book Festival.

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? is the 25th novel from International #1 Bestselling Author and legendary crime writing duo. Nicci French is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of journalists Nicci Gerrard and Sean French. Their novels include the bestselling Frieda Klein series, published in thirty-one languages. Discover more about the husband and wife writing team and their creative processes as they discuss their latest thriller.

Nicci and Sean will be in conversation with Julia Jones.

Full details and book tickets here

Felixstowe Book Festival 2024 logo
2.30pm C.L. Miller, The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder
Photo of Cara Miller. The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder book cover

Miller’s winning debut exposes the dark underbelly of the antiques trade. Freya Lockwood has avoided the quaint English village in which she grew up for the last twenty years. That is until news arrives that Arthur Crockleford, antiques dealer and Freya’s estranged mentor, has died . . . and the circumstances seem suspicious. This book was written in consultation with Cara’s mother, international antiques expert Judith Miller (1951–2023), a regular specialist on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

Full details and book tickets here

Cancelled: 4.00pm Peter Hain, The Lion Conspiracy
Photo of Peter Hain. The Lion Conspiracy book cover

** This event has been cancelled. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. If you have a ticket for this event the box office will be in contact with you soon. **

Having thwarted murderous poachers in The Elephant Conspiracy, the Veteran, Thandi and Mkhize are back battling to save lion prides from being killed for their claws, teeth and bones. Struggling to defeat the international criminal syndicate responsible for poaching, the team find themselves embroiled in mafia-style smuggling, illicit night flights and tense shoot-outs. Join member of the House of Lords, author and life-long human rights campaigner, Peter Hain, as he delves into his gripping third thriller.

Full details and book tickets here


Other events

11.30am – 1.30pm Litter is Criminal Beach Workshop, Libby Scarfe, Seaside Explorers

Seaside Explorers Beach Workshop

Join Libby Scarfe, a local beach-enthusiast with a passion for education and outdoor adventures for this special Litter is Criminal Beach Workshop. There will be stories about marine creatures and sea pollution and a chance to explore the natural coast environment. Take part in a beach clean and then get creative with the items you find. Suits ages 5-11 but everybody welcome!

Venue: Harwich beach, near Harwich Town Sailing Club
Meeting point: What3words ref ///existence.bridge.sailors
Tickets: £3 per young person, accompanying adult free

Box Office: eventbrite.co.uk

1.00 – 3.00pm Game Changer Workshop, Signals

Transform classic video games into arcade quests for environmental action and climate change awareness. Explore the world of video game remixing and discover how you can use game design to communicate environmental action. No previous coding experience required. All equipment provided. For ages 11-14 years.

Venue: Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre, Main Road, Harwich, CO12 4AJ
Tickets: £3 per young person, accompanying adult free

Box Office: eventbrite.co.uk

Film-screening
M (1931)

M 1931

Regarded by many as one of the greatest films of all time and described ‘The Blue Print for the Serial Killer Movie‘ M screens as part of ‘A Criminally Good Day’ for this years Essex Book Festival.

In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert’s heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.

Don’t miss this opportunity to watch this ‘unmissable masterpiece’ at one of the country’s oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive complete with its silent screen, original projection room and ornamental frontage still intact.

For more information and booking details visit electricpalace.com