From hit summer thrillers to the history of silent cinema in North Yorkshire, July sees a busy programme of book and music evenings at Pickering Book Tree.

The bookshop, on Market Place, is hosting a range of events across the month.

On Thursday 4th July, Kate Gray makes a return visit for the launch of her new book following the bestselling success of her 2023 hit summer thriller, The Honeymoon. Widely acclaimed by authors such as Chris Whitaker and Claire Douglas, and receiving five-star reviews in magazines such as Heat, Kate’s crime debut was a major national release.

“We are delighted that Kate will launch her new book with us on the day of its publication,” said Andrew Bundy, who owns the shop with his wife Stephanie and daughter Cathy.

“We loved Kate’s first thriller, and The Summer Party is an equally compelling and addictive read. It’s impossible to put down and will have you racing through the pages and gripped to the end!”

Pickering Church is the venue for a talk about silent cinema and the live music that accompanied it on Monday 15th July. York-based author, Tim Murgatroyd, will discuss the motion picture houses which inspired his novel The Electric. This event will include film extracts and insight into local historic cinemas, including Central Cinema which was once a popular destination in Pickering.

Tim’s novel follows a young pilot readjusting to life after returning from World War One. Set in post-war York, and the result of extensive research, The Electric evokes the early cinemas that helped to heal war-scarred communities.

On Wednesday 24th July, Canadian author Scott Alexander Howard will visit the bookshop during his brief UK tour. Scott will discuss his internationally bestselling debut, The Other Valley, which has been chosen as an Indie Next pick in the US and is in development for a television series.

Scott’s background is in philosophy, and his novel about memory, love and regret explores the boundaries of time in a world where the past and future exist in adjacent valleys. “We’re so thrilled that Scott is able to visit us during his time in the UK,” said Cathy. “The Other Valley is a stunning read with a unique concept, from a new author to watch.”

To close the first year of Folk at the Book Tree events, Pickering based singer-songwriter Becky Mills will perform her mix of traditional and modern folk on Friday 26th July.

Inspired by the North York Moors, Becky’s music time-travels through folklore, family, love and loss.

A close collaborator with Fairport Convention founder Ashley Hutchings MBE, Becky has also worked with Pentangle, Barbara Dickson and Ken Nicol, as well as being a former member of acclaimed ensemble Waking The Witch. She has performed at Glastonbury, and at Cambridge Folk Festival, among many other gigs in her twenty years on the circuit.

Early booking is advised for the best chance of securing spaces at author and music evenings. Unless otherwise stated, events are held in the bookshop’s upstairs performance space and start at 7.30pm with doors open from 7pm.

Further information and tickets can be found on the bookshop’s website: www.pickeringbooktree.co.uk. Tickets can also be booked in person at Pickering Book Tree on Market Place, or by emailing the shop: enquiries@pickeringbooktree.co.uk.

All author events are free to attend. Tickets for Folk at the Book Tree events are priced at £12.