Bestselling author Victoria Hislop is to make a rare public appearance at the Dundee Literary Festival.
She will provide an exclusive insight into her work and literary life as well as reading extracts from her latest novel The Thread.
The book is set in Greece, as was her internationally bestselling debut novel The Island, which sold more than a million copies.
This year’s literary festival, which begins on October 24, is the biggest in its five-year history.
Alexander McCall Smith will spend an hour in conversation with local novelist Jamie Jauncey as they discuss his latest titles and his favourite characters from Botswana, Edinburgh and Pimlico.
Crime writer Val McDermid, who has sold more than 10 million books worldwide and had her books translated into 30 languages, will form a darkly comic double act with the university’s forensic anthropologist Professor Sue Black.
Professor Black provides the expert advice McDermid needs to ensure the scientific accuracy of her work and the duo will discuss their working relationship and how they hope this collaboration may lead to exciting scientific discoveries.
Festival director Anna Day said: “We’ve really managed to bring world-class literary talent to Dundee this year and we are very excited about the line-up we’ve put together.
“The festival continues to grow year-on-year. Some of the biggest names in literature will be thrilling the crowds along with an exciting series of salons, workshops and talks designed to appeal to book lovers and inspire the next generation of writers.
“We really think there is something for everyone.”
Other authors to appear include Cynthia Rogerson, Andrew Nicoll and Simon Stephenson, while the winner of the Dundee International Book Prize will also be announced.The full programme can be found at www.literarydundee.co.uk