Bodies From the Library 2022

 

 

I’ve taken my time writing about Bodies, and realize some people have been to another conference since then, but will pitch in anyway.

It was the usual fabulous weekend, joy from start to finish, despite a major power-outage threat to the event: everyone involved worked incredibly hard with enormous goodwill to make sure it happened. We were in a different part of the British Library, without some of the conference-centre benefits, but on a very hot day it was a beautiful place to be – see pictures above & below from Caroline Raeburn – with the windows and the plants.

Bodies started on Friday afternoon with tea at the Wallace Collection (becoming a tradition) – with guest of honour Martin Edwards.

 

On Saturday there was the usual full programme of events, including a discussion of female sleuths, talks on the works of Margery Allingham and Nicholas Blake, Martin Edwards discussing his new book with Chrissie Poulson, and an Ask the Expert panel.  My topic was Dorothy Bowers – I have done a couple of posts already on her books, and will do another about her life and more on the books.  I was absolutely delighted to hear that the British Library shop had stocked up on her works – and sold out by lunchtime on the day of the conference.

I also came home with a long list of books old and new to read or re-read – including the entire works of Allingham and Blake of course.

It was fantastic to meet up with old friends and meet new ones, and we’ve all got the date in our diary for next year (Sat 24^th June 2023). See you there!