Mark the dates 11-13 July in your diary if you love reading crime and hanging out online. A band of 41 (yes, forty-one precisely) British crime authors  are holding the festival under the title BritCrime. Some of the names include Mason Cross, Alex Marwood, Mark Edwards, Eva Dolan, CL Taylor and Sarah Hilary, and the whole thing’s being pulled together by Helen Smith (pictured).

There will be live Q&A sessions on Facebook, and late night online chats that will digitally replicate propping-up-the-bar chinwags with authors – though instead of ordering margueritas from a surly barman you’ll probably be heading to the fridge. There will also be updates from the real life crime conference ThrillerFest in New York. Discussions will include procedurals, mysteries, British noir, romantic suspense and, of course, thrillers. There will also be prize draws.

You can find out more by visiting the BritCrime website, or their Facebook page where some of the action will be taking place.