CRIME fiction has become one of the most popular contemporary reads and there will be a special talk dedicated to this genre at Theatr Mwldan – Dr Noir’s Travelling Crime Show – on October 26.

Crime fiction has the ability not only to take us on a helter-skelter journey of murder and mayhem, but also to shine a spotlight on many of the issues that trouble us in today's world.

Crime reading festivals and events have grown in response to this increasing popularity, allowing authors and readers to meet and discuss both the entertainment to be enjoyed in contemporary crime fiction and the deeper questions that are explored in it.

Now, Dr Jacky Collins, director of the Newcastle Noir crime fiction festival is offering crime fiction fans an opportunity to meet crime writers and discuss their work with them as she brings her Travelling Crime Show to Wales.

Dr Noir will be introducing authors to audiences in conjunction with Welsh crime writing collective Crime Cymru.

In Cardigan, Dr Noir will be interviewing Alis Hawkins, Matt Johnson and Michael J Malone about their work and what drew them in to this shady world.

Ex-Cardigan Secondary School pupil Alis Hawkins – whose novel None So Blind was described by Phil Rickman on his Radio Wales book show ‘Phil the Shelf’ as ‘the best historical crime creation of the year’ - sets her sleuthing duo Harry Probert-Lloyd and John Davies in the nineteenth century Teifi Valley of the Rebecca Riots.

Former soldier and Metropolian police officer Matt Johnson – described by bestseller Peter James as ‘a brilliant new name in the world of thrillers’ when he published the first of his Robert Finlay series – writes books set in the contemporary world of international crime and terrorism.

Visiting Scotsman, Michael J Malone, writes both domestic noir and police procedurals and, in both genres, looks beneath the deceptively humdrum surface of life. The Sunday Times said of his The Bad Samaritan: “Strong female characters, honest, pithy dialogue and ever-present empathy for the victims make this a deeply satisfying read.”

Books will be available to purchase.

Though this is a free event, booking is advisable. For tickets, contact Mwldan’s box office on 01239 621200, or book online at mwldan.co.uk