There’s a chance to meet and listen to New York Times best-selling author Alan Bradley at the Family Library next week.

Alan, who has achieved international fame with his Flavia de Luce series of novels, will be appearing at the Family Library’s coffee morning on Thursday, March 2, being held to celebrate World Book Day.

He will be in conversation from 10am-11.15am and tickets for the coffee morning – which continues until midday and will also feature a raffle – are ?2.

Librarian in charge Mary Cousins said: ‘We are so lucky to have someone of the calibre of Alan Bradley spending time with us.

‘His novels are read around the world and it is wonderful to have an author of such renown on our doorstep and happy to share his experiences and wisdom.

‘We are really excited about this event. To make sure you don’t miss a minute, though, we urge those coming along to get to the library before 10am.’

Alan Bradley now lives in Peel. He struck literary gold with his novel The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, which introduced the world to his character Flavia de Luce, an 11-year-old amateur sleuth with a penchant for scientific experimentation. All of the Flavia de Luce series of novels have appeared on the New York Times best-seller list.

In his native country, he has been described as one of Canada’s greatest cultural exports.

He is also an acknowledged expert on Arthur Conan Doyle and even knows a thing or two about the Sherlock Holmes author’s opinion of his contemporary Hall Caine, from the Isle of Man.

The library is next to the children’s playground in Westmoreland Road, Douglas.

The Family Library operates as a charity and runs the Mobile Family Library and a Schools Service. To keep up to date on events and to find out more about the services available, check out the Family Library page on Facebook or visit www.familylibrary.im or call the library on 640650.

Write on: Best-selling author Alan Bradley meets library user Eve-Rose Maguire during a preparatory visit to the Family Library