If you’re a fan of gripping mysteries with bold characters and unexpected twists then you’ll love this event! Yvonne Battle-Felton and Lisa Rookes chat about their compelling new novels, both set in small communities where dark secrets are revealed with dramatic consequences.
Yvonne Battle-Felton’s latest novel welcomes you to Curdle Creek, an all-Black town in rural America governed by a tradition of ominous rituals and a strict policy of one in, one out. When Osira is forced into the great unknown, she comes face-to-face with those she believed were lost – and the sinister reality of her birthplace unravels around her
In Lisa Rooke’s The Village, it’s no surprise when popular Joni Blackwood is crowned Gallows Queen on All Gallows’ Eve, but the following morning she is missing. When human remains are found in the church graveyard, everyone is quick to make assumptions. But this is only the start of dark truths in the village coming to light.
Yvonne Battle-Felton is an author, academic, host, creative producer and writer. Remembered (Dialogue Books/Blackstone Publishing) was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction (2019) and shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize (2020). Yvonne has nonfiction children’s titles in Penguin Random House’s Ladybird series. Curdle Creek (Henry Holt/Dialogue Books) was published in October 2024. Yvonne is the Academic Director of Creative Writing at Cambridge University Institute of Continuing Education and a Senior Commissioning Editor at John Murray.
Lisa Rookes is an award-winning journalist and lecturer. Her debut novel The Village will be followed by The Empty Cradle in August 2025. She spent the start of her career as a crime reporter and news editor before moving to national newspapers and women’s magazines. She is currently head of the undergraduate Journalism programme at the University of Sheffield and has won further multiple awards for her teaching. She lives in Holmfirth with her two sons, an arthritic Labrador and a disabled pug.
Access and Covid safety measures: if you have specific access needs or queries and/or prefer to be seated away from other audience members as a Covid safety measure, please contact our Admin at: [email protected] with your request.
Date: Saturday 10 May
Time: 3pm-4pm
Location: Cellar, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield HD1 2SP
Tickets: £7 (£5 conc), free for University of Huddersfield staff and students & essential carers
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Age guidance: 12+ (U16s should be accompanied by an adult)
Access Guide: https://www.accessable.co.uk/huddersfield-literature-festival/access-guides/the-cellar
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