A prestigious crime writing festival has announced the line up for its 21st year.
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival runs from Thursday, July 18 until Sunday, July 21 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
As the world’s largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction, the festival offers fans from around the world a unique opportunity to hear from the biggest stars of the genre, discover exciting new talent and enjoy a packed programme of panels, talks and inspiring creative workshops.
Curated by bestselling crime writer and 2024 festival programming chair Ruth Ware, special guests on this year’s programme include global bestsellers and fan favourites Richard Osman, Chris Carter, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths, Erin Kelly, Vaseem Khan, Dorothy Koomson, Shari Lapena, Abir Mukherjee and Liz Nugent.
Ruth said: "I'm so proud of the incredible roster of special guests appearing at this year's festival - together they showcase the strength, breadth and sheer excellence of the crime-writing landscape.
“Harrogate has always been a festival with readers at its very heart, and there really is something for everyone in this glorious celebration of our brilliant and bloody genre."
Vaseem Khan, award-winning author of the Baby Ganesh Agency series and the Malabar House novels, will open the festival in conversation with Abir Mukherjee, author of the globally bestselling Wyndham & Banerjee series.
Ruth is also set to interview author, producer, and television presenter Richard Osman about his multi-million copy bestselling Thursday Murder Club series.
International bestseller Shari Lapena visits from Canada to talk about her latest thriller What Have You Done with Liz Nugent. Meanwhile, winner of four Irish Book Awards and fellow Irish crime writer Jane Casey will be in conversation with Erin Kelly, whose highly anticipated new novel The Skeleton Key is published in April.
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Big name thriller writers Chris Carter, the bestselling author of the Robert Hunter series, and Dorothy Koomson – the ‘Queen of the Big Reveal’ – unveil their latest novels and festival favourite Elly Griffiths will discuss her new standalone mystery The Last Word.
Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said: “It continues to be a privilege to support the world’s best crime writing festival as we have over the last 21 years. In that time, we have had the great honour of hosting crime writing legends from across the globe as well as introducing brilliant new voices.
"I am looking forward to celebrating what promises to be yet another wonderful Festival with my festival friends over a pint of Theakston Old Peculier.”
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, delivered by Harrogate International Festivals, is the world’s largest event dedicated to the celebration of crime fiction.
Taking place annually over four days each July at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, the Festival includes more than 100 best-selling UK and international crime authors and more than 30 events.
Tickets are now available at www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com with the full programme to be announced in Spring 2024.
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