‘Murder and Mayhem’ comes to Frome library

IF YOU go down to Frome Library this month you might be in for a nasty shock . . . but only within the pages of certain books displayed there.

For May is National Crime Reading Month (NCRM) and Frome Library, along with two local authors, is celebrating this fact with a series of events, book displays and suggested reading.

NCRM is a unique literary festival, held annually throughout the UK and coordinated by the Crime Writers’ Association, which promotes the genre and brings readers and writers together.

The authors involved are Mick Davis and David Lassman, who live in Frome, and whose book ‘The Awful Killing of Sarah Watts’ has been chosen as Frome Library’s recommended ‘read of the month’.

The book is the first full-length account of Frome’s most infamous murder, which took place on an isolated farm in September 1851 and was investigated by a detective from Scotland Yard.

As well as detailing the gruesome case that gripped Victorian Britain, the book also chronicles life in mid-nineteenth century Frome, known at the time as the ‘crime capital of the south-west.’

David Lassman said, “We are pleased to be working with Frome Library during National Crime Reading Month and are honoured our book was chosen as recommended ‘read of the month’.”

Although this is the first collaboration between Mick Davis and David Lassman, they have both written other books on the town, including ‘The Historic Inns of Frome’ and ‘Frome in the Great War’.

As well as writing non-fiction, David is the co-creator of The Regency Detective series of novels, set in early nineteenth century Bath and Frome, and which are also on display in the library.

Library supervisor ` Amery said, “Frome Library is happy to support this initiative, as it is great to encourage the community into reading more and for them to see what we have to offer.”

National Crime Reading Month in Frome will culminate with a talk by David Lassman on ‘The Awful Killing of Sarah Watts’ and takes place at Frome Library on Saturday 26th May at 10.30am.