BOOKING NOW: MUST SEE EVENT
Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
Tickets for weekend break packages are now on sale via harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
Harrogate International Festivals has announced the Special Guests for the 2024 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, the world’s largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction. Curated by bestselling crime writer and 2024 Festival Programming Chair Ruth Ware, with the programming committee, the special guests on this year’s programme include global bestsellers and fan favourites Chris Carter, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths, Erin Kelly, Vaseem Khan, Dorothy Koomson, Shari Lapena, Abir Mukherjee, Liz Nugent and Richard Osman. Returning to Harrogate for its 21st year, the festival, running from July 18–21, is a highlight of the crime fiction year, offering fans from around the world an opportunity to hear from the biggest stars of the genre, discover new talent and enjoy a packed programme of panels, talks and creative workshops.
This year’s special guests include homegrown talent from around the UK, alongside writers from Canada, Brazil and Ireland.
“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,” says Ruth Ware. “Harrogate has always been a festival with readers at its 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 and last year’s Festival Programming Chair, will open the festival in conversation with Abir Mukherjee, author of the globally bestselling Wyndham & Banerjee series. Ruth Ware will 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, 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 House of Mirrors is published in April. Big name thriller writers Chris Carter, author of the Robert Hunter series, and Dorothy Koomson also unveil their latest novels.