Join our Writer’s Room resident writer, Juliette Mnqeta, and acclaimed author, journalist, editor and creative writing lecturer Mike Nicol for a Writer’s Room Talk on the 21st of August at 18:00 in Jannie se Leeskamer.

Juliette Mnqeta’s debut publication If the Dead Could Talk (Kwela) landed with a splash in 2025. The novel, set in Knysna, features young psychology student Azania Sethosa, who is looking for answers about her father’s death. A review by Beryl Eichenberger gives a taste of what to expect “Oh my, if the dead could talk what stories they would tell and, while we know that forensic evidence reveals so much, it’s the life that holds the clues. […] Mnqeta draws you in, spinning you into a vortex of jealousies, corruption, power – and a little love for good measure. Her light touch is bright and spunky!”

Mike Nicol’s latest novel Falls the Shadow is published by Pan Macmillan who describe it as “the start of a much-anticipated new crime fiction series that explores the role of the police since the advent of democracy in South Africa”. He has published nine novels in his two previous crime series, the Bishop series and the Fish and Vicki series, all of which were also published internationally.

This discussion between a bright new star and a giant of the genre promises insights into the craft of writing crime – and lots of humour.

Book your spot here.

Language: English