DAT Event – Minette Walters In Conversation with Carola Campbell – ‘Dorset Women in History – a Novelist’s Perspective’

Dorset Archives Trust was pleased to restart its live events programme on the 5th of May with a spectacular evening featuring Minette Walters, the internationally acclaimed author, in conversation with Carola Campbell (DAT Chairman). Minette has written 20 books which have sold over 25 million copies. In the last 5 years she has moved genre from contemporary murder mysteries to historical novels set in her beloved Dorset. The Last Hours (2017) and The Turn of Midnight (2019) were set in the mid-14th century during the first outbreaks of the plague. The latest book The Swift and the Harrier is set in the Civil War.

Minette’s books feature strong female protagonists, often based on women in history who were pioneers in their field. Her extensive research and insights make her ideally placed to discuss ‘Dorset Women in history from a novelist’s perspective’. Minette revealed how the blanket of anonymity was ripped away from women’s important contributions to history once women, such as Jane Austen, began to be published in the mid-19th century. The evening was highly entertaining, informative and interactive. It covered topics as varied as the importance of women in the siege at Lyme during the Civil War, childbirth & contraception in history, and the notorious Dorset poisoner Charlotte Bryant. When Minette asked for questions at the end, there was further lively discussion with the audience. They were very enthusiastic with many requests for another ‘in conversation with Minette’ in the future!