AWARD-winning writer Denise Mina (pictured) will be at Dewsbury next month to talk about her work – and to tell you what she likes to read.

Denise Mina was born in Glasgow in the Sixties. Her father’s job as an engineer meant that the family followed the North Sea oil boom of the Seventies around Europe, moving 21 times in 18 years from Paris to the Hague, London, Scotland and Bergen.

She left school at sixteen and did a number of poorly paid jobs: working in a meat factory, bar maid, kitchen porter and cook then settled in auxiliary nursing for geriatric and terminal care patients.

But the turning point perhaps came when Denise, at 21, passed to study law at Glasgow University and went on to research a PhD thesis at Strathclyde University on the ascription of mental illness to female offenders. And in the meantime, she taught criminology and criminal law.

Hardly surprising then that Denise’s crime novels have that ring of truth about them.

Her novel, written she says when she should have been studying, won Denise the Crime Writers’ Association John Creasey Dagger for the best first crime novel. It was the start of a trilogy completed by Exile and Resolution.

In addition to her novels, which include the Paddy Meehan series, Denise also writes plays and short stories.

Hear what she has to say at Dewsbury Library on September 24 from 7pm-9pm.

This event is suitable for adults and is free, though you need to pre-book by contacting Dewsbury Library on 01924 325080