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Granite Noir

Granite Noir
Thursday 20 - Sunday 23 February 2020

Welcome to Granite Noir 2020, inspired by the incredible popularity of crime fiction in all its forms, by the fantastic contribution that Scottish writers make, by our love affair with Nordic Noir, on the page and on screen, and most of all inspired by Aberdeen which is the perfect backdrop for the festival – steeped in history, atmospheric, quirky and with a strong sense of place.

To view the full digital brochure please click here; or to download the pdf please click here.

Looking to stay in Aberdeen for Granite Noir?
Book a hotel and ticket package through our accommodation partner the Sandman Signature Hotel.

Festival Passes

Granite Noir Festival Pass
Guarantee great value with our Granite Noir festival pass! Get tickets for our Sara Paretsky, Ben Aaronovitch and Ian Rankin along with seven other author talks of your choice. You can select from any talk where you see the weekend pass logo.

Once you book the pass, have a look through the line-up and contact our box office on 01224 641122 to choose the events you would like to attend.

Outcasts: Women, Crime and Society Exhibition

Women who commit murder or violent crime are often the subject of a morbid fascination, challenging society’s notion of women as the nurturing sex. Using original records from Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives, this exhibition will ask why society has been all-too comfortable with casting disproportionate blame on women for certain types of crimes and misdemeanours, whether bearing the burden of responsibility as ‘fornicators’ by the kirk session or the witchcraft paranoia in Aberdeen and the surrounding area during the 1590s.
Music Hall & Lemon Tree; Free Admission; Runs Thursday - Sunday (9.30-6pm)


Thursday 20 February
	Dial M for Murder TV and Stage favourite, Tom Chambers, (Top Hat, Strictly Come Dancing) stars as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’. 2pm & 7.30pm, His Majesty’s Theatre , £35.50 - £20.50

	Outcasts: Women, Crime and Society Talk by Senior Archivist, Katy Kavanagh will reveal the stories behind the experiences of the wealthy, the wicked, the exceptional and the very ordinary. 5:30pm, Big Sky Studio, Music Hall FREE EVENT

	Poisoned Cocktail Party Join us for a refreshing tipple at our not-to-be-missed Poisoned Cocktail Party. Under the expert guidance of Dr Kathryn Harkup. 7pm, Carmelite Hotel, Tickets £20

	Music, Murder and Mayhem Stuart Cosgrove, author of an award-winning trilogy of books on soul music and social change, discusses some of the key themes of his social history which sweeps across the major centres of black music—Detroit, Memphis and Harlem. 7:30pm-8:30pm, Lemon Tree Studio, Tickets £9.50


Friday 21 February
	The Long Yarn of The Law Join us where Scotland meets Scandinavia with Hania Allen, Heine Bakkeid and Aberdeen native Deborah Masson. Chaired by Stuart Cosgrove 12pm-1pm, Lemon Tree Studio, Tickets £9.50

	Newcastle Noir at Granite Noir Join “Dr. Noir” in conversation with three bestselling Icelandic writers whose work is not widely available in English—yet! Sólveig Pálsdóttir, Óskar Guðmundsson and Jónina Leósdóttir talk to chair Jacky Collins. 2pm-3pm, Lemon Tree Studio, Tickets £9.50

	Suspense with a Topical Twist Meet three of crime fiction’s most acclaimed writers, speaking to society’s most pressing concerns. Alice Feeney , Dorothy Koomson, and Sarah Hilary will chat with Fiona Stalker. 4pm-5pm, Lemon Tree Studio, Tickets £9.50

	Dial M for Murder TV and Stage favourite, Tom Chambers, (Top Hat, Strictly Come Dancing) stars as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’. 7.30pm, His Majesty’s Theatre , £35.50 - £20.50

	David Holmes: The Music of Killing Eve Talk and DJ set David Holmes is a Belfast-born DJ and producer of five albums and more than 25 film and TV soundtracks. David won the BAFTA for his score of the BBC America series Killing Eve. Join David and music journalist Tom Morton as they chat about the music of Killing Eve. David will play a DJ set featuring a range of his work including the music of Killing Eve. 9pm, Lemon Tree Lounge, Tickets £9.50

Headline Event Scottish Exclusive	An Evening with Sara Paretsky Granite Noir welcomes the award-winning American author who transformed the crime fiction landscape in 1982, with the creation of private investigator V.I. Warshawski. Chaired by Denise Mina. 7pm-8pm, Music Hall, Tickets £11.50


Saturday 22 February
	Monstrously Funny Adventures Join author Justin Davies to meet some hilariously scary monsters, and learn how to howl like a werewolf—in English, French, and maybe even Doric!” 10am-11am, Aberdeen Central Library, £3.50 each - adults and children U18 months go free

	The Locked Door: Murder at the Movies 30-Minute Escape Games World-famous movie star Missy Mcfarlane has been found dead after attending the premier of her movie, ‘Black Granite’, at The Belmont Filmhouse! A 30-minute escape game for teams of up to six. Two teams can play at the same time. Each will enter an identical crime scene and race to see who can solve the murder first. Hourly from 10am-5pm, Belmont Filmhouse £10.50, £55 for team of 6

	Death, Dirt and DNA Join Professor Lorna Dawson, Dr James Grieve, and Wendy Deegan, three of Britain’s most renowned scientists—advisors to crime writers and the police—as they describe how they do what they do. Recommended age 16 and over, Graphic images warning, 10am-11am, Lemon Tree Studio , Tickets £9.50

Photo Credit: Crown Copyright	See you in Court! Join us at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for a thrilling re-enactment by actors of an actual Aberdeen murder trial. It’s 1893 and Robert Smith is on trial for murder, and the stakes could not be higher. Gather your own thoughts as Prosecution and Defence battle it out for justice, you may even be summoned for jury service! Suitable for ages 12+. Parental guidance advised. An Aberdeen Performing Arts and Ten Feet Tall co-production. Saturday 22 February 11.30am, 2.30pm & 7.30pm Aberdeen Sheriff & JP Court, Castle Street, Tickets £9.50

	Sex, Lies and Metafiction Which are the secrets we keep? Which do we tell? And who gets to tell those stories? Denise Mina’s Conviction, and Helen FitzGerald’s Worst Case Scenario are edgy thrillers about the act of storytelling, sexual politics, victimhood, and the challenge of being female in a world filled with misogyny. Chaired by Lee Randall. 12pm-1pm, Lemon Tree Studio, Tickets £9.50

	Snow is Dangerous in Iceland... Sif Sigmarsdóttir is a London-based author and journalist from Iceland. In The Sharp Edge of a Snowflake, two very different lives collide. Chaired by Rebecca Curran. Suitable for Adults and Young Adults. Recommended age 16 and over. 1pm-2pm, Aberdeen Central Library, Tickets £9.50

	Peterhead: The Inside Story of Scotland’s Toughest Prison Join Robert Jeffrey, author of Peterhead: The Inside Story of Scotland’s Toughest Prison, as he tells the remarkable story of the infamous Peterhead Prison in Scotland’s far north-east – a truly grim institution with a fearsome reputation. 1pm-2pm, Lemon Tree Lounge, Tickets £9.50

	Also Known As They’re visiting Aberdeen as CM Ewan, John Lincoln and Sarah Lotz. But you may also know them by different names, because each of these writers employs a variety of pseudonyms. In this hour you’ll discover the difference a name makes, and hear about three novels that’ll give you sleepless nights. Chaired by Jacky Collins. 2pm-3pm, Lemon Tree Studio , Tickets £9.50

	Dial M for Murder TV and Stage favourite, Tom Chambers, (Top Hat, Strictly Come Dancing) stars as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’. 2pm & 7.30pm, His Majesty’s Theatre , £35.50 - £20.50

	Nudge, Nudge—Write, Write! Daisy Waugh is the author of novels, journalism, and nonfiction. In this one-hour workshop Waugh shows how to make the most of prompts to flesh out ideas, develop perspective, and get down to writing about your chosen topic. She’ll describe how she found inspiration in the ancient wisdom of the tarot. 16 or over only, unless accompanied by an adult with a ticket. 2:30pm-3:30pm, Aberdeen Central Library, Tickets £9.50

	Murder as an Art Form Christos Markogiannakis leads us on a colourful journey through history and mythology, crossing paths with mass murderers, stalkers, cursed families, cannibals and serial killers. Where will we meet such dangers? On the canvases of masterpieces held in the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay! 4.00pm-5:30pm, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Tickets £9.50

Headline Event	Wizardry, Magic,& Serious Cybernetics Ben Aaronovitch, author of the bestselling Rivers of London urban fantasy series, premiers his newest Peter Grant adventure, False Value. Born and raised in London, Aaronovitch was a scriptwriter for Doctor Who and Casualty. He’ll be in conversation with festival ambassador Stuart MacBride, talking magic, mayhem, crimefighting and comics. 6pm-7pm, Music Hall, Tickets £11.50

	Gin and Sin Food and drinks expert Nikki Welch leads us on an exploration of gin, accompanied by readings from crime writers Olga Wojtas, Margaret Kirk, and Clare Carson. 6:30pm-8:30pm, Music Hall, Rondo Restaurant, Tickets £20

Headline Event	Shipwreck Suitcase We’re rolling out the red carpet to welcome the King of Tartan Noir, Ian Rankin, joined by his friend Phill Jupitus, in conversation about all things Rebus, the re-release of Westwind, and in particular, to reveal which beloved crime novels these avid readers would pack for an extended stay on an uninhabited island. Will it be Sherlock Holmes? Might it be Philip Marlowe? Or will it be something cutting edge and recent? Join us for the big reveal! 8pm-9pm, Music Hall, Tickets £11.50 Buy with The Boys are Back - With Tunes, Both for £18

	The Boys are Back - With Tunes They’re famous for their love of music, so you won’t want to miss Phill Jupitus and Ian Rankin spinning tunes from their personal collections, taking turns to amaze and delight us with their musical choices. It’s a safe bet they’ll have you out of your seats and on the dance floor shaking your tailfeathers. 10pm-11:30pm, Lemon Tree Lounge, Tickets £8.50, Buy with Shipwreck Suitcase, Both for £18


Sunday 23 February
	The Locked Door: Murder at the Movies 30-Minute Escape Games World-famous movie star Missy Mcfarlane has been found dead after attending the premier of her movie, ‘Black Granite’, at The Belmont Filmhouse! A 30-minute escape game for teams of up to six. Two teams can play at the same time. Each will enter an identical crime scene and race to see who can solve the murder first. Hourly from 10am-5pm, Belmont Filmhouse £10.50, £55 for team of 6

	CSI: Crime Squirrel Investigators Author and CBeebies screenwriter Emily Dodd brings her scientific knowledge to this quirky investigative event. You’ll learn how to identify different animals and get to take part in the woodpecker hip hop track as Emily sings, raps and plays guitar. 11am-12pm, Aberdeen Central Library , £3.50 each - adults and children U18 months go free

	The History of the Green Talk, Chris Croly Join Dr Chris Croly to learn about the history of the Green - from the dark days of the reformation to child kidnapping and with plenty of historical beer along the way. This talk will take in key aspects of the history of the Green and touch upon its darker history. 11am-12pm, The Carmelite Hotel, Tickets £5

Photo Credit: Crown Copyright	See you in Court! Join us at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for a thrilling re-enactment by actors of an actual Aberdeen murder trial. It’s 1893 and Robert Smith is on trial for murder, and the stakes could not be higher. Gather your own thoughts as Prosecution and Defence battle it out for justice, you may even be summoned for jury service! Suitable for ages 12+. Parental guidance advised. An Aberdeen Performing Arts and Ten Feet Tall co-production. Sunday 23 February 11.30am & 2.30pm, Aberdeen Sheriff & JP Court, Castle Street, Tickets £9.50

	Family Affairs There’s nothing like a secret to rot the family tree—and nothing like watching it sway dangerously to ramp up tension. Jo Spain and Swedish author M.T Edvardsson talk to Bryan Burnett. 12pm-1pm, Lemon Tree Studio, Tickets £9.50

	Breaking Bones for Fun Caro Ramsay draws on her career as an osteopath, her experience as a crime writer, and her diploma in Forensic Medical Science in this engaging workshop describing the injuries likely to occur during fight scenes. She’ll share all the gory details necessary to help aspiring writers add realism to the injuries sustained by their characters and victims. 16 or over only, unless accompanied by an adult with a ticket. 1pm-2:15pm, Aberdeen Central Library, Tickets £6.00

	The History of the Green, walking tour Dr Chris Croly’s walking tour will take in sites of key historical events and explore the darker side of the history of Aberdeen and the Green. Starting from The Carmelite Hotel from 1pm-2pm, Tickets £5

	Going for Gold(en) Age There’s a plenty of life left in classic crime fiction, reimagined with fresh modern twists by today’s authors. Lexie Elliott’s & Peter Swanson talk to Fiona Stalker. 2pm-3pm, Lemon Tree Studio, Tickets £9.50

	Poisoned High Tea When it’s cold outside, cosy up to a plate piled with scones, pastries, and finger sandwiches, washed down with strong coffee or aromatic tea. But beware! Dr Kathryn Harkup, author of A is for Arsenic, is here to remind us that in the hands of literary Grande Dame Agatha Christie, everything on the menu could—and did—become a murder weapon. 3pm-5pm, 1906 Restaurant at His Majesty’s Theatre, Tickets £22, £30 with prosecco

	Making History... Murderous Ambrose Parry (aka Chris Brookmyre and Dr Marisa Haetzman) will be talking historical crime fiction, gothic fiction, and medical mysteries with author Laura Purcell, whose first novel The Silent Companions, won the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award 2018. Chaired by Bryan Burnett. 4pm-5pm, Lemon Tree Studio, Tickets £9.50

	Bad Sports Granite Noir welcomes one of Norway’s most successful crime writers, Anne Holt, whose Hanne Wilhelmsen books were made into Modus for BBC Four. A Grave For Two introduces a fresh new series featuring Selma Falck, former professional athlete turned high-flying lawyer—and a woman in free-fall. Chaired By Fiona Stalker. 7pm-8pm, Lemon Tree Lounge, Tickets £9.50

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