30 August 2002: Fancy tearing around the streets of Barcelona in a Mini Cooper S to try and solve a fictional art robbery? If so, read on.

The makers of the new MINI are turning to crime fiction in a unique project which promises to capture the imagination of thousands of readers around the world.

German manufacturer BMW,which makes the Mini, unveiled an Ireland-wide hunt yesterday (Thurs 29 Sept) for a team of investigators which will be led by celebrity reporter Lorraine Keane to find missing art works.

The stranger-than-fiction art-hunt is the brain child of Scottish crime writer Val McDermid who was commissioned by BMW to write an open-ended novel about a theft in a gallery of modern American art in the Catalan capital.

The novel, called Mission MINI, features private investigator Sam Cooper who quickly realises he cannot solve the case alone.

This is where YOU come in. Instead of reaching a conclusion, the book ends with an application form inviting the reader to apply to join a team of Irish investigators who will compete with 16 other national investigative teams in Barcelona to be the first to solve the crime.

The three winners will be selected by a BMW Ireland panel and will enjoy an all-expenses paid, four-night luxury adventure trip to
Barcelona during which they will be given a Mini Cooper S to help them solve the mystery. Each evening in their hotel they will be briefed by ‘Sam Cooper’ and receive instructions and clues to follow up next day. the rest of the time will be strictly dedicated to partying with the 80 other investigators.

The MINI-novel is to be distributed in Ireland in September and is available on request by phone (01 240 5640) or via the Mission MINI website (www.missionMINI.com)

Leading American artist Peter Halley has been commissioned to produce six pieces of art which will be the subject of the investigation.

Some 17 countries including Ireland, USA, Japan, Australia, most European nations are taking part in the Mission Mini investigation.

The investigators will congregate in Barcelona from November 7-11 and will be provided with 100 Minis specially delivered by the Oxford factory. Teams of coordinators and guides will provide clues to the teams each day.

So get a copy of the book and read it ... fill in the application at the end of the book and send to the address marked ... keep your fingers crossed.

A short list of 30 finalists will be contacted and then lightly grilled by the BMW Ireland panel. Three winners will be announced in early October - each winner will be contacted personally. And they will return to Dublin on November 11 to a hero’s welcome.