Crime author comes to Barking
A CRIME author who helped murder her best friend s mother, before embarking on a successful writing career, is coming to Barking. When Anne Perry gives a talk next Wednesday at Barking Learning centre, the focus will be on her bestselling historical detec
A CRIME author who helped murder her best friend's mother, before embarking on a successful writing career, is coming to Barking.
When Anne Perry gives a talk next Wednesday at Barking Learning centre, the focus will be on her bestselling historical detective novels and her insight into the life of an author.
The 70-year-old, however, has a colourful past which has seen her attract attention for reasons other than her books.
In 1954, when Perry was 15 and living in New Zealand, she and best friend Pauline Parker battered Parker's mum to death. Both were convicted and sent to prison for five years.
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Parker planned the grisly murder after Perry's father decided to send his daughter to South Africa. Parker thought if she killed her mum, the girls could stay together. Perry felt a sense of loyalty, so agreed to help.
Their story inspired Peter Jackson's film Heavenly Creatures, with Kate Winslet playing Perry.
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After her release from prison, Perry headed back to the UK.
She has since talked about the events but has said she wants people to judge her for who she is now, not what she was then.
Perry is a very respected and popular author with more than 50 novels under her belt. She has sold 25 million copies world wide and her books often sit in the top ten best seller list.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of her first published novel, The Cater Street Hangman, a Victorian detective novel featuring London bobby Thomas Pitt and his well-born wife Charlotte. It was so popular, 24 more titles about the two characters followed and was later dramatised for ITV.
She will be at Barking Learning Centre on February 11 from 6.30-9pm for a talk, question and answer session, and book signing.
For information call Denise Lovelace on (020) 8724 8724.
