'Cosy Crime' Writing Retreat

Who Dunnit?

'Cosy Crime' Writing Retreat Who Dunnit?

‘Cosy Crime’ Writing Retreat

26 APRIL - 1 MAY 2026

5 days of tutoring with JM Hall at Warwickshire countryside estate.

Meet the Tutor

Course tutor is the acclaimed crime writer J. M. Hall, author of the Thirsk Garden Centre series.

As well as writing crime fiction, Jonathan has an extensive background in education and as a teacher of writing, which makes him the perfect person to lead our investigations.

About J M Hall

Kington Grange & J M Hall

During the course of our investigations we’ll be delving into some of the mysteries of the writing process itself;

  • When do we write best?

  • What can we do when our ideas dry up?

  • And crucially - what is it that drives us to pick up the pen or open the laptop in the first place?

Course tutor is the acclaimed crime writer J. M. Hall, author of the Thirsk Garden Centre series. As well as writing crime fiction, Jonathan has an extensive background in education and as a teacher of writing, which makes him the perfect person to lead our investigations.

The course is suitable for writers of all levels of experience from the complete novice to the seasoned scribe; prior communication with Jonathan will enable him to ensure the course is tailored to your own level.

Explore the grounds of this 16th Century property, draw upon the unique features, personality and history to inspire and stimulate your writing retreat experience.

Join us for a glorious week of ‘Cosy Crime’ writing - led by the highly acclaimed author - Jonathan M Hall.

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  • Monday (Day 1 tutoring) : Why has a crime been committed?

    Tuesday (Day 2 tutoring) : How has a crime been committed?

    Wednesday (Day 3 tutoring) : Who has committed the crime?

    Thursday (Day 4 tutoring) : When and where has the crime been committed?

    Friday (Day 5 tutoring) : Reflection day. Tutoring finishes at lunchtime

    Friday afternoon: Guest Departure

    A typical day on the retreat:

    0800-0900 Continental style buffet breakfast

    0900-1130 Group teaching, classroom style

    1130-1230 Own time and space to write. 121s with Jonathan Hall

    1230-1315 Lunchtime

    1315-1400 Own time and space to write. 121s with Jonathan Hall

    1400-1615 A reflective group session on the writing process

    1615-1800 Sharing session

    1800-1930 Free time

    1930 Dinner and evening entertainment

  • Daily lively, engaging, in-person teaching sessions with our author JM Hall

    A one to one private coaching session with our author JM Hall, minimum 30 mins

    A signed, pre-release, copy of Jonathan’s latest book (title to be revealed)

    5 nights accommodation at Kington Grange in the 16 th century Manor House, Event Barn or Annexe (Sunday to Thursday)

    Welcome supper event on arrival day (Sunday)

    All meals during stay. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated.

    Teas, coffee and water will always be available.

    Hi-speed Wifi.

    Parking.

    Maximum class size of 15

    Use of Kington Grange gardens and grounds including tennis court and swimming lake

    Note:

    Transportation to/from Kington Grange is not included

    Alcohol is not included but can be provided for an additional fee

  • Our Location

    Kington Grange is in the heart of West Midlands only 15 mins drive from the M40/M42, 25 mins from Birmingham Airport and 15 min from Warwick Parkway train station which has direct links to London and Birmingham.

    Address: Kington Grange, Kington Lane, Claverdon, Warwickshire, CV35 8PW.

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    Guests wishing to explore and find extra inspiration in the Cotwolds or nearby towns such as delightful Henley in Arden, historic Warwick or Shakespeare’s Stratford upon Avon can request to extend their stay and book to arrive several days early.

  • 1 x welcome supper (Sunday)

    5 x Continental breakfast (Monday to Friday inclusive)

    5 x lunches (Monday to Friday inclusive)

    4 x evening meals (Monday to Thursday inclusive)

    Breakfast

    Breakfast will be set out daily, for all guests, in The Orangery of The Manor House. Breakfast will be available from 0800 to 0900hrs, allowing guests the option of grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a more leisurely start to the day. Breakfast will be a continental style self-serve buffet comprising a selection of cereals, fruit, yoghurt, pastries, toast and crumpets and hot drinks.

    Lunch

    Lunch will be prepared daily in The Manor House and available between 1230 and 1315hrs.

    Guests are welcome to eat indoors or picnic outdoors, together or in a quiet space.

    There will be a choice of freshly prepared sandwiches or rolls, hot soup, crisps, fruit, biscuits and cake.

    Dinner

    A two course dinner will be served at 1930hrs each evening. This might be served in The Plotters dining room, The Event Barn, The Dining Orchard or beside the lake. Dinner will be freshly cooked, homemade and comprise classic, British, country-house meals.

    Typical favourites;

    • Roast lamb, dauphinoise potatoes, charred broccoli

    • Salmon en croute with new potatoes and green peas

    • Chicken curry with side dishes

    • Barbecue night

    • Apple crumble

    • Biscoff cheesecake

    • Chocolate mousse

    • Trifle

  • Arrival

    Please plan to arrive from 1600hrs on Sunday 26/4/26. Settle in to your room. Welcome supper served at 1900hrs. Meet your fellow writers and enjoy an introduction from Jonathan about the tutoring and the owners about Kington Grange. This will be a settling in day and there will be no tutoring.

    Departure

    Please plan to depart by 1500hrs on Friday 1/5/26. Continental breakfast will be served 0800hrs. Buffet lunch at 1230hrs.

  • JM Hall is the pen name of Jonathan Hall. Jonathan was born in Yorkshire and, bar a few brief interludes, he has lived in the county ever since. He has been writing for stage and radio for many years, most recently creating the critically acclaimed BBC radio series "Trust" starring Julie Hesmondhalgh. This series was inspired by Jonathan's long-time career as deputy headmaster of a northern primary school. Primary teaching has always been a huge part of his life and throughout his writing career he is proud never to have lost the ability of running a slick painting table.

    In 2021, his first novel was published by Harper Collins. "A Spoonful of Murder" introduced us to the unlikely crime-solving trio of retired teachers Liz, Thelma and Pat. These wonderfully warm and funny characters took on a life of their own and spawned a series of cosy crime novels. The eagerly awaited second novel is due in March 2023 and the third is already well underway.

    When he’s not writing, Jonathan is happy to take his mind off the trials of creativity by doing something practical, such as organising a playground rota or marking a pile of books.


  • Pricing is dependent on the bedroom you select, and whether you book single or double occupancy. All guests will receive identical tutoring and catering. Bedrooms are listed below - The first price is for single occupancy, the second price is for double occupancy (the total price for two guests)

    • The Master - Manor House

      King / Twin + Ensuite

      £2025 / £2625

    • True Romantic - Manor house

      4 poster king + Ensuite

      £1800 / £2400

    • Flying Ducks - Manor House

      King, shared bathroom

      £1500 / £1900

    • Turquoise Traitor - Manor House

      King, shared bathroom

      £1500 / £1900

    • The Hero - Manor House

      Single or twin, shared bathroom

      £1350 / £1750

    • The Bright Spark - Manor House

      King / Twin + Ensuite

      £1800 / £2400

    • The Calm Suite - Manor House

      King-size + Ensuite

      £1800 / £2400

    • The Shakespeare suite - Barn

      King / Twin + Ensuite

      £2025 / £2625

    • Pat- The Annexe

      King / Twin + Ensuite

      £1900 / £2475

    • Thelma - The Annexe

      Single / Twin + Ensuite

      £1750 / £2275

    • Liz- The Annexe

      King-size + Ensuite

      £1850 / £2400

There’s been a murder!

A body in the library? A corpse in the shrubbery?

Mr or Ms X in the conservatory with the lead piping?

And, more importantly- how can writers successfully create and craft all those elements into a crime mystery?

About the course:

Over five days students will be investigating the many and varied elements and processes involved in the writing of crime fiction- characters, motives, plots, clues… Who has dunnit? For what reasons? How, when and where? And how can we weave these strands into stories that intrigue and enthral?

The course will consist of a structured mix of teaching, writing and sharing, giving writers both motive and opportunity to commit their very own crime mystery, working in an English country house that could have been designed by Agatha Christie herself!

About the venue -

Kington Grange is a quintessential 16th century English country Manor House and offers the

perfect environment for a glorious week of ‘cosy crime’ writing led by the highly acclaimed,

published author Jonathan M Hall. Kington Grange will be available for the exclusive use of

the writing retreat.

Kington Grange offers an unique, luxurious yet intimate experience. There’s detail,

personality and history in every room, providing stimulation and inspiration for your own

writing. We also have a connection with a very famous crime, well known in British history

and still celebrated annually…

The bedrooms at Kington Grange

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