Julian Clary and Susie Dent

Comedian Julian Clary and broadcaster Susie Dent discuss writing their new crime novels, and calling on their careers and experiences for inspiration.

Clary’s Curtain Call to Murder follows dresser Jayne as she tries to solve a murder that takes place on stage during the opening night of Leopard Spots at the London Palladium. Her challenge is made all the harder by the fact that the cast, including an ageing lothario, a national treasure and an amateur psychic, are all vying for the spotlight.

Clary is a comedian, entertainer and novelist, who has toured across the world with his one-man shows. His first book for children, The Bolds, is about a family of hyenas living undercover in Surbiton.

Dent’s Guilty by Definition takes place after an anonymous letter arrives at the offices of the Clarendon English Dictionary containing a challenge for the team of lexicographers working there. The letter hints at secrets, lies and a year. 2010. For Martha Thornhill, the new senior editor, that year can mean only one thing: the summer her brilliant, beautiful older sister Charlie went missing.

Dent is a writer and broadcaster on language. She recently celebrated 30 years as a co-presenter and the resident word expert on Channel 4's Countdown, and also appears on the show's comedy sister 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown.