AUTHORS

We know every conscientious author strives for authenticity and technical accuracy in their plots. Whilst most established authors have, over the years, built a network of contacts and sources, we appreciate that for writers who are just beginning their career it can be difficult to forge these links. In addition, it is not always possible to have a contact in every topic or discipline. This should not result in a book being inaccurate, our experts knowledge and experiences are extensive, which means we can be a great source of information for all crime fiction writers. 

OUR EXPERTISE COVERS:

  • Crime scene protocols & procedures

  • Anthropology & bodily fluids including DNA

  • Criminal & geographic profiling

  • Prison & probation matters

  • Fire chemistry & investigation

  • Forensic linguistics

  • Publishing advice and guidance including contracts

  • Forensic knowledge & techniques around trace evidence

  • Interview techniques

  • Police procedures

  • Archaeology & body recovery

  • Road traffic collision investigation

  • Writing advice from inception to completion

AUTHOR IN RESIDENCE

“Sam Blake” aka Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin is the number one best selling author responsible for the Cat Connolly police procedural trilogy, Little Bones, In Deep Water and No Turning Back. She has written many short stories and is now writing best-selling standalone psychological thrillers – her first Keep Your Eyes on Me released with Corvus in January 2020 shot straight to number one best selling spot. The Dark Room was shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the year in 2021, and High Pressure was released as a digital exclusive in September 2021. Her latest book, Remember My Name, is out in January 2022.

ABOUT

Vanessa is the founder of the award winning resources website, www.writing.ie and of The Inkwell Group Publishing Consultancy. She is Ireland’s leading literary scout and currently advises and assists writers at all stages in their career, including many award winning and bestselling authors. She is also responsible for Irelands International Crime Writing Festival “Murder One” and many other exhibitions and events. 

As well as providing information and expertise through our own usual channels we will be working alongside Vanessa in providing advice on crime investigation techniques, forensic and police procedures to authors via her publishing consultancy. Together we are planning to hold several authors workshops. So, watch this space as we will be announcing more details shortly.

Sam Blake Books

CASE STUDIES

THE MOTH CATCHER

BRIEF

Design a fun and interactive activity for festival visitors on behalf of The Thin Blue Spine arm of Pan McMillan Publishing. 

OUR SOLUTION

The Moth Catcher book, by author Ann Cleeves, a part of the Vera Series, was chosen as the bases of the scenario. Visitors attended 45 minute sessions where they played the part of super sleuths, attempting to solve a case from the novel.

 

  • AREA ONE

    A murder has taken place, a body has been found dumped by the roadside. Visitors were treated to a police style briefing led by an ex senior investigating officer. Attendees were given details of the crime to date and introduced to the storyline. They were invited to take notes and plan their course of action before being informed of a development in the crime…

  • AREA TWO

    To avoid contamination visitors changed into crime scene suits before being deployed to the crime scene where they were met by one of Think Forensic’s CSI’s. A second murder! Would they be able to solve the crime? We’ll give it a try said the CSI as the hunt for evidence began.

  • AREA THREE

    Once the evidence was gathered visitors progressed to the lab area. Totally screened in white drapes it was hard to remember you were at the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate. The area was dressed with forensic equipment and visitors were invited to conduct their own analysis of fingerprints, examine hair and fibres using digital microscopes and UV lighting, learn about blood patterns and much more. All under the guidance of real forensic experts. Did they solve the crime? – well that would have given the book away and then they wouldn’t have bought it later!!

THE RESULT

Six 45 minute interactive sessions throughout the course of the day, targeting up to a total of 150 visitors. The majority of the sessions were fully booked prior to the event via online booking. The remainder were available on a first come first served basis on the day. 

A VIP session with members of the press featured the author Ann Cleeves and the cast of Vera TV series including Brenda Blethyn and Kenny Doughty. This ensures profiles and that of Pan McMillan, were raised not just at the festival but beyond into the public eye.

 

BRIEF

Create a workshop based on a Lynda La Plante crime novel on behalf on sponsors Bonnier Zaffre and Lynda La Plante.

OUR SOLUTION

Lynda La Plante’s novel Murder Mile was chosen for maximum publicity. The book, set in the sixties and part of the Jane Tennison series, was introduced with a reading from one of the chapters. This set the background to the crime scene which in itself contained various evience to help solve the crime. 

Visitors were then talked through, (via a questions and answer session) gathering and processing the evidence by one of Think Forensics’ CSI’s.

The session was interrupted by an ex senior police officer who informed the group of a development in the crime and spoke about the logistics of spearheading serious cases and major incidents.

It was then the turn of the visitors to piece together the clues. Under the guidance of our forensic experts, they analysed fingerprints, blood spatter patterns, hair and footwear marks prior to applying their results to the profiles of several suspects before identifying the perpetrator.

THE RESULT

The “Lynda La Plante Murder Room” was one of the highlights of the festival. Over 300 visitors were targeted during the course of two days and the profile of the author, Lynda La Plante, the series of books and the publishers Bonnier Zaffre were also raised with readers and new budding authors. 

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING

  • Publishing promotions

  • Brand & book launch events

  • Authors workshops

  • Ongoing support & point of contact for crime writers

  • Writing hints & tips

  • Advice around publishing (inc. self publishing or trade publishing

Joined the Think Forensic team for one of their Authors’ CSI Workshops and loved it. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look for wannabe crime writers who don’t have a friendly forensics expert to turn to. It left me buzzing with ideas! The team really know their stuff and I’m looking forward to their next workshop already.

Sara West; Tall Tales Mysteries
Darlington

Really enjoyed the authors’ workshop, and looking forward to putting in the detail Think Forensic gave me – makes my work so much more credible. Highly recommended for all crime authors!

Claire Hopkins
Cardiff

As an author I found Think Forensic’s team pro-active with my enquiries. The information they provided and kind and patient responses added to the overall quality & accuracy of my novel. I cannot recommend Think Forensic enough and recommend any author contact them.

Robert Craven; Dublin
Author of Eva Molenaar Series

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate all your insights that you gave despite being furloughed. You guys are such an amazing team and I am sure you can give fantastic tips, advice and experience to others.

Natasha
Natasha

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