The
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival unveiled its 2019 programme at an
exclusive launch party at Browns Courtrooms in London (Wed April 3, 6.30pm).
Chair
of the 2019 Programming Committee, Mari Hannah, unveiled a packed line-up for
the world’s most celebrated crime writing festival, with authors ‘in
conversation’, in action and in the bar.
Now
in its 17th year, the festival takes place at Agatha Christie’s old haunt, The
Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate from 18 to 21 July.
Mari
Hannah, award-winning author and festival reader-in-residence said: “The
Theakston programming committee has a reputation for attracting the finest
crime writers to the festival from around the world and we’ve done it again.
The response to this year’s line-up has been incredible. I’m looking forward to
welcoming readers in July.”
Special
Guests are James Patterson, MC Beaton, Stuart MacBride, Jeffery Deaver, Belinda
Bauer, Eva Dolan, Erin Kelly, Harlan Coben, Ian Rankin and Val McDermid, who
will be in conversation with Scotland’s First Minister and bookworm, Nicola
Sturgeon.
Jo
Nesbo will also launch his much anticipated new Harry Hole thriller, Knife, at
the festival. A special TV panel will feature Jed Mercurio, author of BBC
smash-hit, The Bodyguard.
Simon
Theakston, Executive Director of T&R Theakston and title sponsor, said: “Our celebration of the genre is no doubt the
best in the world. 2019 is another remarkable line-up and it is a huge
privilege to welcome one of the world’s biggest selling authors, James Patterson, a remarkable advocate for
reading who has donated millions to reading initiatives in schools, colleges
and libraries."
Serving
up its usual helping of heated debate, panels will look at Irish fiction
exploring borders and Brexit, the rise of Antipodean Noir, the on-going
controversy of the role of gratuitous violence, and how crime fiction can put
the spotlight on the big social issues of the day.
Up
to 90 authors from around the world will take part. The diverse roll call
includes
Australia’s hottest author Jane Harper, Jackson Lamb creator Mick
Herron, Scotland’s supernova Denise Mina, and Alex North, the pseudonym behind The Whisper Man pitched as 2019’s
biggest thriller.
The
line-up includes Renee Knight, Stuart Neville, Stella Duffy, Brian McGilloway,
Steve Cavanagh, Mark Billingham, Chris Brookmyre, AA Dhand, Joseph Knox, Robert
Crais, Elly Griffiths, Sarah Hilary, Imran Mahmood, Martyn Waites and Jonathan
Freedland aka Sam Bourne.
Val
McDermid’s annual New Blood panel, one of the most anticipated events in
publishing, features four hand-picked debuts from the Queen of Crime. 2019
picks are Gytha Lodge’s She Lies in Wait,
Holly Watt’s with To the Lions, Chris
Hammer’s Scrublands, and Oyinkan
Braithwaite’s My Sister the Serial Killer.
The
opening night features the crime writing equivalent of The Oscars, with the
15th Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. Hosted by Mark
Lawson, the Award is in association with sponsor T&R Theakston Ltd, retail
partner WHSmith, and media partner, the Mail on Sunday. The ceremony will also
honour a giant of the genre with the Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction
Award - previous recipients include PD James, Ruth Rendell, Lee Child and John
Grisham.
The
day-long writing workshop, Creative Thursday also returns. The festival,
delivered by the north’s leading arts organisation Harrogate International
Festivals, is one of the most important events in the crime publishing
calendar. Agents, publishers, publicists, readers and authors attend from all
over Europe and the world.
Famed
for its no barriers approach, crime fiction fans, fledgling writers and
established superstar authors mingle in the hotel bar, bookshop and Papakåta
tents in the hotel grounds. Tickets for all events go on sale 9 April.
The 2019 Theakston Old
Peculier Crime Writing Festival takes place at the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate
18-21 July. Box office: 01423 562 303, harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
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