Open Book - 29/08/2010

Kwame Kwei-Armah talks to thriller writer Mark Billingham about his new novel, From The Dead. The book is the latest in his series featuring DI Tom Thorne, a jaded detective working in the Metropolitan Police. Mark Billingham discusses Thorne's growing presence on the British literary map, and why he feels writing crime fiction is remarkably similar to his previous career - as a stand-up comedian. Also on the programe, children's author Philip Ardagh discusses the Just So Stories, as a new set of stories is published paying homage to Rudyard Kipling's originals. Kwame also talks to publisher Scott Pack, the man behind the new literary event Book Swap, where authors and audience meet but no questions are asked about the authors' works. Plus - Susannah Clapp, Bruce Chatwin's former editor, looks over the acclaimed travel writer's newly published letters. Producer: Aasiya Lodhi.