AUTHOR PD James is leading a line-up of popular writers taking part in a special crime day in Oxford.

The award-winning novelist will be joined at Oxford’s Bodleian Library by fellow crime writers Kate Summerscale, Val McDermid and Ruth Rendell on Friday, October 2.

There will also be a display of material from the library’s collections, showing the development of detective fiction over the years.

Highlights include material linked with Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle, and writers Edmund Crispin and Raymond Chandler.

The event coincides with the publication of PD James’s new book, Talking About Detective Fiction.

The author is donating all her royalties from the hardback edition to support the library.

In the foreword, the author reveals that the Bodleian invited her to write the book in 2006.

She said: “As a native of Oxford, I had known from early childhood that the Bodleian Library is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the world, and I replied that I was happy to accept the invitation but must first finish the novel on which I was working.”

Samuel Fanous, head of publishing and communications at the Bodleian, said: “PD James has been a supporter of the library for many years.

“I had heard her on the radio, speaking about why people read detective fiction, its function in society and reasons behind its abiding appeal today, and thought the subject matter would make a fascinating book.

“I was delighted when she agreed to write it.”

Dr Fanous said the crime day would be a rare opportunity to hear talks from four outstanding crime writers, and to see manuscripts and rare items linked to crime fiction.

From 1pm to 2pm, PD James will be in conversation with Kate Summerscale, the award-winning author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.

From 5pm to 6pm, Val McDermid, author of Wire in the Blood, will give a talk, before PD James is in conversation with fellow crime writer Ruth Rendell, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

The exhibition is free, but places for the talks cost £3, with tickets on sale at Borders in Magdalen Street.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk