He may be best known for a fictional detective haunted by the disappearance of his wife, but dognapping rather than kidnapping drives Peter James’ latest book.

The best-selling author will talk about the “horrific” rise in dog thefts alongside an RSPCA officer at a book festival in London.

The creator of the Roy Grace series – of which Queen Camilla is a big fan – will be a headline name for Capital Crime at Leonardo Royal Hotel St Paul’s, on September 2.

And now two lucky readers have the chance to meet him.

Peter, who turns 75 on Tuesday, said: “I will be talking about my novel, Stop Them Dead, alongside Kirsty Withnall from the RSPCA who appears as a character in the book.

Peter, who turns 75 on Tuesday, said: “I will be talking about my novel, Stop Them Dead, alongside Kirsty Withnall from the RSPCA who appears as a character in the book.

“It looks at the rise in the horrific black market in both puppies and adult dogs since lockdown and the fact criminals can now make more m

“It looks at the rise in the horrific black market in both puppies and adult dogs since lockdown and the fact criminals can now make more money from dogs than drugs.

“As a dog lover, it was very important to write this with the support of the RSPCA.”

Also appearing at the festival, from August 31 to September 2, will be former Pointless co-host Richard Osman, author of The Thursday Murder Club series, and The Hobbit star Richard Armitage.

● We have teamed up with Capital Crime to offer two tickets to Peter James’ event and the chance to meet him, by answering
this question: Who is Peter’s most famous creation?

Use discount code EXPRESSPJ on checkout at capital crime.org to get 15 per cent off tickets for Peter’s event.