A GROUP of award-winning crime writers will be exploring the secrets of their successful tales at an event in Hendon library tonight.

Best-selling crime fiction authors Laura Wilson, Natasha Cooper and Michelle Spring will be talking about their novels and the art of crime fiction writing as part of a panel in the library from 6pm to 8pm.

The three writers are part of the Unusual Suspects, a “diverse group” of novelists who write and talk about a combination of subjects ranging from medical treatments to psychological states, taking in prostitution, prisons, and Shakespeare. They then claim to take those subjects and place them within the context of the modern crime novel.

London based Natasha Cooper chaired the Crime Writers' Association in 1999/2000 and still broadcasts, reviews, writes features and short stories and talks to reading groups and at literary festivals in the UK and America.

Laura Wilson, who is also based in London, has twice been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger as well as the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.

Michelle Spring is famous for writing novels featuring private investigator Laura Principal, which are set in Cambridge and London.

The talk will then be followed by a public question and answers session.

Tickets are free and are available at Hendon Library, The Burroughs, Hendon, NW4 4BQ on the night or people wishing to attend can ring 0208 359 2628 to reserve a place.