It’s no secret that these authors are some of the most celebrated in the world for weaving tales of subterfuge, deceit, and mystery. The bestsellers compare notes and ideas in a discussion akin to a cocktail party of your literary dreams… with both the authors and their unforgettable women protagonists in attendance. Ann Cleeves’ detective Vera Stanhope may be a bit scruffy, but she knows how to solve a murder, as demonstrated in The Dark Wives. Beverley McLachlin showcases the wit and grit required of a defence attorney in Proof, in which Jilly Truitt defends a high-profile mother accused of kidnapping her own child. Nita Prose’s Molly the maid character sold more than 1 million copies of her debut—and now she’s back with The Mystery Guest. What a lineup! Moderated by Alison Broddle.
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ALISON BRODDLE has spent the last several decades working for the CBC, first in Vancouver, then in Toronto. She’s delighted to have recently returned to Vancouver in her role as Senior Director of Current Affairs and Investigative, where she oversees network radio programming including special projects focused on reconciliation as well as climate change. She’s been in charge of implementing diversity and inclusion practices at the CBC, and takes pride in the innovative programming she’s developed over the years. Alison serves as the Interim Chair of the Vancouver Writers Fest Board of Directors.
ANN CLEEVES is the bestselling author of the beloved detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn. Ann’s work has been adapted into the TV sensations Vera, Shetland and The Long Call. In 2017, she received the prestigious CWA Diamond Dagger for her contributions to crime writing. Ann resides in Northumberland, UK.
BEVERLEY MCLACHLIN is the #1 bestselling author of two novels, Full Disclosure and Denial, and a memoir, Truth Be Told, which won the prestigious Writers’ Trust Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing and the Ottawa Book Award for Nonfiction. From 2000 to 2017, McLachlin was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. She is the first woman to hold that position and the longest-serving Chief Justice in Canadian history. In 2018, McLachlin became a Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest honour within the Order.
NITA PROSE is the author of The Maid, which has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and was published in more than forty countries. A #1 New York Times bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club pick, The Maid won the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction, the Fingerprint Award for Debut Novel of the Year, the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the Barry Award for Best First Mystery. The Maid was also an Edgar Award finalist for Best Novel. Nita Prose lives in Toronto, Canada, in a house that is only moderately clean.
