There will be a chance to interrogate the former director general of MI5 at the Auden Theatre in Holt on Saturday, October 20.

Spymaster turned leading author Stella Rimington will be appearing in conversation with the former deputy editor of the Sunday Times Brian MacArthur from 2pm. The conversation will be opened up to the floor part way through the afternoon, when there will be a chance for the audience to ask questions.

Olivia Heal, of The Holt Bookshop, which has organised the event, said: 'Stella Rimington is a leading crime fiction author and she has extra kudos because she is not just a writer but also has inside knowledge from having been the director general of MI5.

'It promises to be a fascinating insight in to the world of crime fiction and crime reality.'

Stella Rimington joined Service in 1969 after working part time as a typist in the New Delhi office. She eventually became the director of counter espionage in 1988 and then director of counter terrorism in 1991 before holding the post of director general from 1992 to 1996. She was made a Dame Commander of Order of the Bath in 1996. She has written six novels, including her latest The Geneva Trap.

Tickets cost �10 and will be on sale at The Holt Bookshop. Call 01263 715858 or email sales@holtbookshop.co.uk. There will be a bar in the Auden foyer from 1pm.