Join us for the much anticipated return of crime writer Gay Marris to discuss her new novel, The Beasts of the Black Loch. This richly imagined mystery set in remote Scotland is infused with Gay’s knowledge of the natural world from her career as a research scientist, and takes us on a twisty investigation (unofficially) led by animal behavioural expert Dr Ava Dickens following a death accepted by most as accidental — but Ava knows this explanation doesn’t add up.
Ryedale Festival’s 2026 programme launches with the world-renowned Takács Quartet performing in St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church. This pre-concert conversation in the Book Tree is an exciting opportunity to hear from multi-award winning first violinist of the Quartet, Edward Dusinberre, who will discuss his writing and his music-making with interviewer Katy Hamilton.
Join us in conversation with Ava Glass, author of perfectly paced thrillers who has been dubbed “The new Queen of Spy Fiction” by The Guardian and whose earlier book The Traitors “Delivers everything fans of spy fiction could want: an absorbing plot, shadowy characters, page-gripping tension” according to The Washington Post, who chose it as a Book of the Year. Ava’s latest book, The Hiding Season, is an unputdownable novel that explores the collateral damage of an FBI operation gone wrong.
Anne Gair is singer-songwriter, guitarist and dulcimer player from Scotland who is a rising star on the folk scene with “a voice that just soothes your soul” (Rambling Folk). Anna Foster (BBC Radio) has described Anne’s music as “beautiful storytelling and gorgeous melodies” and her voice as “stunning … very Joni Mitchell-esque”. She has toured widely throughout the UK and abroad both as a solo artist and with her ensemble, The Anne Gair Band.
Our next Monday book club is on 6th April when we’ll discuss The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr. An Observer Best Debut of the Year, the book is praised as “compassionate, lyrical and full of devilment” by Louise Kennedy (author of Trespasses) and “a joy . . . Vivid, loving and genuinely funny” by The Sunday Times when they selected it as a Best Book of the Year.
