A message from Kit Chapman MBE, Proprietor, The Castle at Taunton. Earlier this year, Alice McIlroy’s The Glass Woman, was given to me as a gift from a friend. The book is the author’s debut novel and after reading it, I immediately recognised a new and exciting young talent on the British literary scene. For this reason, I was keen to persuade Lionel Ward at Brendon Books to invite her to speak at this year’s Taunton Literary Festival. Alice’s theme is the controversial world of Artificial Intelligence which she transforms into a spellbinding psychological thriller. It is a riveting read which will grip your attention to the novel’s final line. Louise and I are delighted to be welcoming Alice to join us and other book lovers at The Castle for a special literary lunch on 24th October. All part of the town’s Literary Festival and Brendon Books’ Festival of Autumn Talks. So do please join us.This is an event not to be missed. You will enjoy listening and chatting with her. Indeed, Alice is now completing the final edits to her second novel. And book three is already in development. The Programme We start at midday when Alice McIlroy will give a talk and be interviewed by Lionel Ward, Founder of the Taunton Literary Festival. After the talk and book signing, there is also the opportunity to join the author for a 2-course lunch with a glass of wine (£40 including the talk). The lunch will begin at about 1:15pm. For those coming to the talk only(£15), you are welcome to reserve a table in Brazz. If you would like tickets for the talk-with-lunch offer, please book direct with the Castle Hotel here https://www.the-castlle-hotel.com/diary/ Or telephone 01823 328303. About The Glass Woman Pioneering scientist Iris Henderson awakes in a hospital bed with no memories. She is told that she is the first test-subject for an experimental therapy, placing a piece of AI technology into her brain. She is also told that she volunteered for it. But without her memories, Iris doesn't know what the therapy is or why she would ever choose it. Everyone warns her to leave it alone, but Iris doesn't know who to trust. As she scratches beneath the surface of her seemingly happy marriage and successful career, a catastrophic chain of events is set in motion, and secrets will be revealed that have the capacity to destroy her whole life. Alice McIlroy graduated in English from Exeter University and has a post-graduate degree in Law. She completed Faber Academy’s novel-writing programme. Her writing has been longlisted for the Stylist Prize for Feminist Fiction and the Grindstone International Novel Prize. The Glass Woman is her debut novel.