LORD Wandsworth College at Long Sutton, near Odiham, has again hosted the popular Festival of Books Club.

Over traditional afternoon tea, five leading authors talked about their literary careers and latest novels. There was lively, interactive discussion with the audience, chaired by Tim O’Kelly of OneTree Books in Petersfield, which was made up of 120 members of book clubs from across Hampshire and Surrey plus a group of GCSE and A-Level pupils from the college.

Karen Maitland writes historical novels after she became fascinated by the medieval period having visited the Beguinage in Bruges. Her novels

include The Vanishing Witch, a Good Housekeeping recommended book, and her most recent novel The Raven’s Head. Robin Blake has been a school teacher, documentary maker for Capital Radio. A full-time author since 1986, he has written a plethora of historical crime fiction.

London born Carol Drinkwater is best known for her award-winning portrayal of Helen Herriot in the television adaptation of the James Herriot books, All Creatures Great and Small. Her first book, The Haunted School, was published and made into a TV series. She has just finished her 21st book.

Nicci Gerrard and her husband, Sean French, write as a partnership. They published their first Nicci French novel, The Memory Game, in 1997.  There are now 14 other bestselling novels published by Penguin under the name by Nicci French.

Finally, Sophie Hannah is an internationally bestselling writer of psychological crime fiction. Her novel, The Carrier, won the Crime Thriller of the Year Award at the Specsavers National Book Awards. Two of her crime novels, The Point of Rescue and The Other Half Lives, have been adapted for ITV.

Lord Wandsworth’s English teacher and head of academic enrichment, Jennie Leopold, said: “This was a beautifully civilised event, in aid of The Honeypot children’s charity. It was enriching for our students as not only were they able to listen to successful authors divulge their thoughts on the writing process, but they were able to converse with them and pick their brains on all aspects of writing.

“The students’ curiosity and imaginations were indulged to the full and they departed full of insight and scones in equal measure!”