A unique collaboration between leading lights in crime fiction and country music comes to the Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth tonight.

Bestselling crime writer Mark Billingham will tell an original story to a soundtrack of powerful and poignant songs from internationally-acclaimed Americana duo My Darling Clementine.

The show, The Other Half, is built around an emotive, murder-related story set in a Memphis bar.

It is interspersed with songs of intrigue, love and heartbreak.

It tells the story of former Las Vegas showgirl Marcia, who now works double shifts in a rundown Memphis bar.

Alone and estranged from her daughter, she lives life vicariously through her customers and the everyday tragedies of people falling in and out of love.

These are moving tales of grief and heartbreak, lust, murder and domestic horror.

Serving beer and burgers as the stories unfold, Marcia reflects on her single doomed shot at happiness.

Then she receives a phone call that changes everything.

Pain, loss and violence are both the lifeblood of crime fiction and the dark seam running through the best country music.

Mr Billingham, who is also a stand-up comedian and screenwriter, is the author of a successful series of novels featuring Detective Inspector Tom Thorne.

The BBC are adapting two of his novels for television next year. 

My Darling Clementine are married couple Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish. Both have independent careers. Mr Weston King was the former leader of UK alt-country pioneers The Good Sons. He has recorded 10 solo albums and four with the Good Sons. He has toured with Nick Cave, Steve Earle, Roger McGuinn and collaborated with several musicians, including Ron Sexsmith. 

Ms Dagleish has worked with the likes of Elvis Costello and Bryan Ferry and released four albums. 

The Other Half starts at 8pm and tickets are £10, available by calling 01900 826448 or from Billy Bowman Music on Lowther Went.