Delegates’ Choice

Ian Sansom writes for the Guardian and the London Review of Books. His first book, ‘The Truth About Babies’, was published by Granta in 2002, and his second, ‘Ring Road’, by Fourth Estate in 2004. ‘The Case of the Missing Books’ and ‘Mr Dixon Disappears’, the first two instalments of The Mobile Library series, were published in 2006. He lives in Northern Ireland.

'This is Israel's third outing and it is a pleasure to welcome him back – these are blissful British comedies for the thinking escapist.' The TimesPraise for ‘The Case of the Missing Books’:‘A mystery, a sustained piece of slapstick, a meditation and a yarn. And it is cripplingly funny.’ Independent‘Sansom has struck a rich comic seam…it promises to be a very enjoyable series.’ Observer‘A perfect antidote for melancholy.’ GuardianPraise for ‘Mr Dixon Disappears’:'Israel is one of the most original and amusing amateur sleuths around.’ The Times'Bibliophiles will instinctively warm to Israel Armstrong, Jewish librarian, duffel-coat wearer and part-time detective. The fact that he drives his mobile library around the coast of Northern Ireland, moaning non-stop about people who do not return books on time, only makes the character more deliciously esoteric. This yarn about an ageing magician who has gone missing with £100,000 is the second in what promises to be a must-read series.' Sunday Telegraph