The North's 'biggest book club' is set to return.
The Big Read will be travelling to libraries across the North of England this autumn, including Hexham Library, in Northumberland, on September 25.
The free event, part of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, is produced by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by the Inn Collection Group and Vintage Publishing.
The aim is to celebrate and raise awareness of literacy, while honouring the legacy of crime fiction's greatest authors.
Visitors can look forward to meeting the festival's reader-in-residence, Luca Veste, and fellow novelist Ajay Chowdhury.
The duo will discuss Mr Chowdhury's book, The Detective, as they tour six libraries from Merseyside to Teesside.
More than 1,000 free copies of the novel, a Times and Sunday Times Crime Book of the Year, will be given out at the participating libraries.
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: "We know that reading stimulates the brain, reduces stress and helps us relax and the aim of the Big Read is to bring people together from all walks of life through their shared passion for reading.
"This event is also a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness of local library services which really are at the heart of our communities."
Andrew Robson, of the Inn Collection Group, said: "The Big Read is a great way of supporting our libraries and bringing local communities together.
"Reading is one of life’s great pleasures and books have the ability to inspire us and show the world in a fresh light, which is why it’s a genuine pleasure for us to be involved in such a wonderful and rewarding project."
Luca Veste is the author of numerous crime novels, including You Never Said Goodbye, and The Bone Keeper.
He said: "I’m delighted once again to be able to take the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on tour with the Big Read.
"Local libraries are a cornerstone of our communities and have been an important part of my own life from an early age."
Ajay Chowdhury, bestselling author of The Detective, said: "I am both honoured and humbled that The Detective has been selected for this year’s Big Read."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here