This is just the sort of event that makes me wish we still lived in London.
At one of the panels I attended during Crime Fest 2012 it was suggested by a panellist that when the Scandinavian crime fever had blown over French detective fiction would be the next trend. Perhaps the trend is already here as Fred Vargas, Dominique Manotti and now Pierre LeMaitre have been getting the attention of CWA judges for several years….. now we have Phillipe Georget, Olivier Truc and Marc Dugain making waves.
The French are coming and this is obviously an event not to be missed.
CRIME SCRAPS REVIEW 
I’d love to be able to attend, Norman!
Margot it is only an 11 hour flight less with a following wind. 😉
Years ago it took 6-7 hours driving from Bristol to Torquay in the summer before the motorway.
Motorways certainly have their advantages, don’t they? You know, I think two 11 hour flights in one month are enough for me.. 😉 – Perhaps if something like it is on again next year. For now, I still need to unpack. 😉
I so know what you mean about still living in London – we used to live just up the road, I could have walked there! I used to borrow films from the Institut library and go to evening classes there. Oh well..I am a bit on the fence about French crime fiction, did not really liked the LeMaitre one, not bowled over by Fred Vargas (but to be fair have only read one of hers) and found Bed of Nails by ???? Vaurennes???? a bit too weird…am currently reading an English one, A.D. Garrett, Everyone Lies, have you read it, it seems really good so far…
Blighty, I can understand you not liking the violence in Le Maitre but give Vargas a chance her Adamsbergs are very quirky, but addictive once you are hooked.
I haven’t read the AD Garrett but will put it on my list for a closer look.
Fred Vargas’ books are quirky, but they are brilliant and creative — and, as Norman says, addictive.
How I wish I had another in hand when I’ve finished one of her books.
Also, Pierre Magnan’s Death in the Truffle Woods is a good read.
I know exactly what you mean: I miss all the cultural diversity of London. On the other hand, I am living in France right now, so in this particular case at least, I shouldn’t complain…
FYI: Just a note to say that I just watched the PBS two-party legal mystery/thriller with David Tennant and Sophie Okonedo called “The Escape Artist.” My gosh, were they terrific in this as barristers matching wits. Very well done.
I wish that all TV mysteries were up to this caliber in scripts and cast.