One of the great reads Bristol readers can bag.

The UK government’s austerity measures have taken their toll on libraries, with closures and service cutbacks galore. However, CrimeFest, the convention held in Bristol starting 19 May, is doing something about it with a move to boost interest in local libraries. The organisers have teamed up with 20 authors across 13 publishing houses to give away 1000 books through six Bristol libraries.

The books will be given away Saturday 14 May before hundreds of authors, publishers, agents and crime fiction lovers descend upon the city that CrimeFest has called home for the last eight years, Bristol locals will get the chance to pick up copies of bestselling authors’ newest titles – months before their official release.

Customers will also be awarded a 25 per cent discount to weekend passes at CrimeFest, which has Ian Rankin, Peter James and Hugh Fraser among its attendees this year.

Stuart Neville’s latest will be available pre-release!

Books being given away include Megan Abbott’s You Will Know Me, This Thing of Darkness by Harry Bingham, champion jockey AP McCoy‘s new crime book Narrowing the Field, Rosie Claverton‘s Captcha Thief and So Say the Fallen, the upcoming novel by Stuart Neville. There are plenty more to choose from, and you’ll be able to get a free crime novel from Bristol Central, Bedminster, Clifton, Junction 3, Wick Road and Southmead libraries.

To see which crime authors are favourites in UK libraries, click here.