Philippa Gregory is an established historian and best-selling author with a strong interest in the Tudor and Plantagenet periods. Her novel, The Other Boleyn Girl was made into a TV drama and a major film. Her latest, The White Queen is the first in a new series, The Cousins' War, set amid the tumult of the War of the Roses. Philippa brings this family drama to life through its women, beginning with the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen who, from a common beginning, ascends to royalty by virtue of her beauty. She goes on to explore the unsolved mystery of the Princes in the Tower, a tale which has confounded historians for centuries.

Literary Lunch with Salley Vickers
Time: 1.00 pm
Venue: The Crescent Hotel Scarborough
Running Time: 2.5 hours
Price: £18.50

Former lecturer and analyst, Salley Vickers' first novel, Miss Garnet's Angel became a 'word of mouth' success and from an initial imprint of one thousand has gone on to sell over a million copies. It was hailed by critics and readers alike as the best evocation of Venice in print. Her latest novel, Dancing Backwards sees the central character on a transatlantic voyage. Moving between the late 60's and the present day it is written with a lightness of touch and psychological insight which characterises Sally's work. The novel explores dance and poetry, two of Sally's pastimes. It is a work that is sad, funny and utterly compelling.

A ticket for this event includes a three-course lunch with coffee/tea to follow. Please be seated by 12.45 pm

Lindsey Davis and Dr. Paul Doherty hosted by Peter Guttridge
Time: 1.00 pm
Venue: Scarborough Library Concert Hall
Running Time: 60 minutes
Price: £7

Lindsey Davis has twenty novels in print. Her long-running series, featuring Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco and his partner Helena has been translated into many languages and serialised on BBC Radio 4. She has won the CWA Historical Dagger, the Dagger in the Library, and a Sherlock for Falco as Best Detective. Her latest work, Rebels and Traitors, set in the English Civil War, is a departure from the Roman period and will fascinate her fans.

Dr. Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough, and studied History at Liverpool and Oxford. Paul's fascination with historical mysteries has led to a prolific career as an author. His work spans the Middle Ages, Classical, Greek and Ancient Egyptian periods. His latest Hugh Corbett novel, The Mysterium, is the 17th in this hugely popular series and is set in mediaeval London.

The Festival is delighted to welcome back our host, Peter Guttridge! Peter is the Observer's crime fiction critic and author of the prize winning satirical crime novels featuring Nick Madrid.

Photo of Lindsey Davis copyright of Trevillion

Jacqueline Yallop hosted by Peter Guttridge
Time: 3.30 pm
Venue: Scarborough Library Concert Hall
Running Time: 60 minutes
Price: £5

Jacqueline Yallop trained as a curator and is fascinated by beautiful and quirky things. Her non-fiction work Magpies, Squirrels and Thieves, tells the stories of some of the Victorian period's greatest collectors. In the second half of the nineteenth century the English were the most active and eccentric collectors in the world. They bought, swapped, begged and stole, enduring perilous seas and jungle treks in the hunt for treasure. Collecting was a disease that drained purses and ruined romances - and everyone was infected! At a time when collecting and dealing is once again fashionable, Jacqueline's talk offers an entertaining history of a passion for things! Jacqueline is also a writer of fiction and her first novel Kissing Alice was published to critical acclaim.

Rouhi Shafii presented by Amnesty International
Time: 5.30 pm
Venue: Scarborough Library Concert Hall
Running Time: 60 minutes
Price: Donation on door. All donations will go to Amnesty International. Ticket not required.

Since she left Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution, Rouhi Shafii has written widely about the abuse of human rights in that country. Her works - historical fiction, autobiography, translations and non-fiction - focus on the plight of women in Iran. At this event organised by Amnesty International, she will be reading from both her own work and that of other Iranian women writers. Some of these writers are now imprisoned for campaigning for political and social change in their country. Rouhi will also speak about the dangers facing writers in Iran and of the risks they take in communicating their works to the outside world.

Stella Rimington hosted by Peter Guttridge
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: Scarborough Library Concert Hall
Running Time: 60 minutes
Price: £7

Dame Stella joined MI5 in 1968. During her career she worked in all the main fields of the Service: counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism. She was appointed Director General in 1992, the first woman to hold the post. She campaigned to improve the openness of the service and controversially published her frank memoirs Open Secret in 2001. The first Liz Carlyle thriller, At Risk, was published in 2004. Now on her fifth outing in Present Danger, Liz is on the trail of terrorism in London, Belfast and Paris. Join Dame Stella for an insider's view of the secret service.

A complimentary glass of wine will be served at this event.

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