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How are secrecy, conspiracy and surveillance represented in science fiction?  In this interview with award-winning novelist Adam Roberts, we will will explore the intersections of science fiction and spy fiction.  We’ll  discuss the cross-over between genres and the modern fascination with speculative reading as well as the birth of genre fiction and the ‘Scientific Romance’. Adam will be in conversation with John Plotz.

Nadine Akkerman, winner of the 2019 Ammodo Science Award, will  discuss her research into the role of women in the politics and espionage of the seventeenth century.  For her best-selling book Invisible Agents,Nadine had to act as a modern-day spy, breaking cipher codes and studying invisible inks to unearth long-hidden plots and conspiracies.

Celebrated best-selling Detective writer Val McDermid is joined by spy novelist Adam Brookes to explore the differences between crime and espionage fiction and to talk about their own work. Join us in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town to discuss mysteries and conspiracies!

Bletchley Park, a country estate close to Milton Keynes, became the headquarters of the Government Code and Cypher School in 1939. While it played a crucial role in the government’s wartime intelligence operations, it also inspired the creative lives of its operatives. Dr Natalie Ferris (Edinburgh) will explore the little-known literary world that flourished at Bletchley Park, and ask what hold it continued to have over post-war British culture.

Acclaimed author Anthony Horowitz will join us for a Q&A before the screening of Casino Royale.  Anthony will discuss his novel Forever and A Day, a prequel to Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale.

There will be a book signing following the Q&A.

[There is a charge for this event]