LISTEN: Lancaster policeman turned novelist to give charity talk on life as a crime writer

Wednesday, 16 September 2026 11:49

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A police officer turned crime writer will give a talk in Lancaster about his career as he prepares to release more of his popular books.

'An Evening with Barry Lees: Insights into the Mind of a Crime Thriller Writer' will take place at the Courtyard Cafe, St John's Hospice, on Friday October 9.

Having retired from Lancashire Police after 30 years of service in the Lancaster and Morecambe area, Barry gained an honours degree in English and Creative Writing at the Lancaster campus of the University of Cumbria, before becoming a lecturer in Policing and Criminology.

He has penned 11 crime fiction books in total, and is now writing full-time after retiring from lecturing.

LISTEN to Barry Lees

His latest book, 'One Night at Shinglewood', is out now, and is about a fictional 'cold case' - an unsolved murder at an outdoor activity centre.

Barry, who is also President of the Vale of Lune Rugby Club in Lancaster, said he is now working on his 12th and 13th books too!

In 2024 he released 'Half an Hour to Kill' - a compilation of 10 short fictional crime stories, many of which are set in Lancaster.

The event starts at 6.30pm.

Tickets cost £12 with proceeds to St John's Hospice.

Barry's books will be on sale at the event.

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