“I’m used to killers explaining that they murdered their victim because they were jealous, out for revenge, or that they had merely killed in ‘five minutes of madness’. Discussing this one day with Marcel, we discovered that there were also a surprising number of murderers who had killed because they had been ‘inspired’ to do so by a fictional character or by the plot of a novel. But how does lethal violence emerge from the pages of a novel and seep into real life creating genuine victims? Frankly, we have become obsessed with this question and we think that when you hear the stories of real murders that Marcel and I want to tell, you too will become fascinated by killer books.”
“As a novelist, I’m fascinated by the way we make up stories and the power that stories have over us. But I’m also wary of that power. Stories have the power to do immeasurable harm: to isolate people, to justify violence, to strip away someone’s rights and humanity. In Killer Books, Professor David Wilson and I will look at the role certain stories have played in acts of murder. We’ll be looking at books that have been cited as inspiration for the most terrible crimes. “
Why do some novels inspire people to commit murder? Which fictional characters and plots arouse lethal violence in the real world? How does fiction become crime fact?
Novelist and presenter Marcel Theroux and one of the country’s leading criminologists Professor David Wilson combine their professional backgrounds to discuss books that have motivated murder and how fiction can sometimes become fact.
UK TOUR AUTUMN 2024
SEPTEMBER
Tue 10th
19.30
Floral Pavilion New Brighton
Wed 11th
19.30
Lancaster Grand Theatre
Thu 12th
19.30
Memorial Theatre Sheffield
Fri 13th
19.30
Town Hall Birmingham
Wed 18th
19.30
Alhambra Dunfermline
Thu 19th
19.30
Tivoli Theatre Aberdeen
Sat 21st
19.30
Glasgow Old Fruit Market
Mon 23rd
19.30
Gardyne Theatre Dundee
Fri 27th
19.30
Beacon Arts Centre Greenock
Mon 30th
19.30
Apex Bury St Edmunds
@ProfDavidWilson @Therouvian absolutely brilliant Killer Books being at Uni of Bham this evening. Thank you both!
Great night with @ProfDavidWilson and @Therouvian at @MyBCU @BCUCriminology. If you can get to see any shows on their tour this year, it’s a genuine “must-see”..