The prizes at CrimeFest were provided by Bristol Blue Glass and were handsome examples of their hand-blown work. A flower vase or possibly even a wineglass − we are talking about a bunch of crime writers, after all. BBG make all kinds of glassware, but possibly their strangest claim to fame is that they've recently produced the central pillar for the new-look TARDIS in the latest series of Dr Who

Adrian Magson (far right) moderated a Friday afternoon panel entitled 'Bodies: Trust Me, I'm a Doctor − Protagonists wth Medical Training', ably assisted by (l to r) Ruth Downie, Priscilla Masters, Kate Ellis and Keith McCarthy.

Maxim Jakubowski (right) was delighted to launch the first titles in the new MaXcrime imprint from John Blake Publishing. These included 'Old Dogs' by Donna Moore and 'Watching the Wheels Come Off' by Mike Hodges, also known as the film-maker behind the Michael Caine classic movie, 'Get Carter'.

The Saturday pre-Gala dinner gathering included (l to r) crime novelists Tom Harper, currently Chair of the Crime Writers' Association; Michael Sears, who is one half of the writing team that makes up Michael Stanley (other half, Stanley Trollip, was behind the camera); yours truly, and Peter Guttridge, who is also the Observer newspaper's crime fiction critic.

Helen Fitzgerald is an Australian author now transplanted to Glasgow, who worked for ten years in the Scottish probation and parole service. Sounds like she probably knows more self-defence than I do. Here we are demonstrating how to avoid being stabbed. I should point out that I'm wielding a rubber knife.

Crime writer and actress, Linda Regan, and her ever-raffish husband, actor Brian Murphy, at the Gala dinner. I swear Linda looks younger every time I see her.

CrimeFest Co-Chairs, Adrian Muller (left) and Myles Allfrey. Not sure Myles really likes having his picture taken unless he's wearing some kind
of elaborate headgear.

[below, left] Shots Magazine editor, Mike Stotter, trying to produce a rabbit out of the head of CrimeFest Co-Chair, Myles Allfrey. Didn't work, sadly, although Myles did look very fetching in his new hat.

Featured Guest Author, Tonino Benacquista, delivered a terrific after-dinner speech at Saturday's Gala dinner − not easy at the best of times, but particularly so when English is definitely not your first language. He managed magnificently.

Toastmaster Gyles Brandreth − who was on his usual good form − introducing another Featured Guest Author, Colin Dexter, who will be eighty this year. Although Colin has now officially retired from writing his Inspector Morse series, he can't resist still putting pen to paper in short story form, and was another entertaining speaker.

My table at Saturday's Gala dinner, with guests (clockwise from left) Peter Roznovsky of Detectives Beyond Borders; Chris Ewan, who writes the 'Good Thief's Guide To . . . ' series; Donna Moore, she of the Big Beat from Badsville blog and fellow Busted Flush author; Donna's parents, Joyce and Patrick; and My Other Half, Andy. The food was excellent, by the way.

Anne Zouroudi was the participating moderator for Sunday morning's panel on 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Writing Crime.' With Anne sitting far left, the remainder of the panel (l to r) were Michael Ridpath, Joan Brady, Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurdadottir, and Peter Guttridge just visible on the far end.