THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME
WRITING FESTIVAL returns for biggest year EVER as new stage announced and all-star
programme revealed
Festival Dates: 23 – 26 July 2026
www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
#TheakstonsCrime
Tuesday 14th April: Harrogate
International Festivals today revealed the full programme for the 2026
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, the world’s largest and most
prestigious celebration of crime fiction, at a special reception at Hachette, Carmelite
House in London.
This year’s programme has been curated by bestselling
psychological thriller writer Lisa Jewell and features over 140 crime and
thriller writers, making it the biggest event ever in the festival’s
illustrious twenty-three-year history. An all-star line-up of bestselling
authors and crime fiction names including Richard Armitage, Ardal O’Hanlon,
Andi Osho, Denise Mina, Adam Kay, Abir Mukherjee, Elly Griffiths, Vaseem Khan, Val
McDermid and M.W. Craven join Special Guest headliners Ann Cleeves and Brenda
Blethyn, Anthony Horowitz, Holly Jackson, Chris Brookmyre, Chris
Whitaker, Jane Harper, LJ Ross, Nadine Matheson, Gillian
McAllister, Steve Cavanagh, Alice Feeney, and US crime superstar
David Baldacci, on the packed programme.
Taking place at
Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel from 23-26 July, this year’s Festival
offers crime fiction fans even more opportunities to hear from
superstar writers and discover new talent with the launch of the
Swift Half Stage. This innovative new space championing brilliant storytellers,
rising stars and boundary-pushing creatives in a series of bite-size events,
features authors including Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, Mick Herron,
Ahana Virdi, Will Carver, Clare McGowan, Kia Abdullah, and Traitor’s star Harriet
Tyce.
Festival highlights include the
prestigious Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards Ceremony and the
much-anticipated Critics’ New Blood panel showcasing four extraordinary debut
novelists, Anna Maloney, Leodora Darlington, M.K. Oliver and Mel Pennant, selected
by leading crime fiction critics. For aspiring writers, Creative Thursday
offers an immersive day of workshops and talks led by industry experts and bestselling
writers including A.A Dhand, GR Halliday, and Julie Mae Cohen, with the rare opportunity
to pitch work in the ‘Dragon’s Pen.’
From dark domestic noir to the
impact of technology on the criminal mind and a celebration of Agatha Christie’s
enduring influence on the genre fifty years after her death, there is plenty to
thrill everyone on this year’s programme. Evenings offer exclusive opportunities
for fans to engage with authors at relaxed events, include the hilarious
Interview Bingo and the hotly contested Late Night Quiz, compèred by Val
McDermid and Mark Billingham. Two Author Dinners will see readers
join forces with crime writers K.T. Nguyen, Sean Watkins, Emma Christie, Rupa Mahadevan,
William Hussey, and many others to solve a fiendishly twisty murder mystery,
hosted by Mel Pennant.
Lisa Jewell, bestselling author
and 2026 Festival Programming Chair said:
“This year marks Theakston Old
Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s twenty-third year. Every year it gets a bit
better, a bit bigger, more polished, and more exciting, and 2026 promises to be
the best Festival yet. We were spoiled for choice when we compiled this year’s
programme; never before have there been as many rich pickings in the fields of
crime, thrillers and debuts, and this year’s programme is overflowing with new
voices, old voices, literary legends, and Festival favourites. So, here’s to
2026; let the sunshine, the drinks flow and a bounty of brilliant writers cast
their spells as we gather together to enjoy an unmissable year at the best
crime-writing Festival in the world.”
Simon
Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said:
“We
are extremely proud to support this world class event for an incredible
twenty-third year and welcome over 140 writers for what promises to be our
biggest and boldest Festival ever. Lisa Jewell and the committee have delivered
an outstanding programme packed with legends of the genre, massive
internationally bestselling authors, rising stars, thrilling panels, and
exclusive events. We look forward to an unforgettable Festival as we celebrate the
very best in global crime writing this summer.”
Sharon
Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“We are thrilled to reveal the
full programme for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival,
curated by Lisa Jewell and the Programming Committee. As we celebrate the 60th
anniversary of Harrogate International Festivals, we are excited to expand the festival
by introducing the Swift Half Stage to offer even more for our community of crime
fiction fans to discover and enjoy this year. Whether you are a reader or a
writer – and whether you’ve been coming to the festival for twenty-three years
or this will be your first time - we look forward to welcoming you to Harrogate
in July.”
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:
THURSDAY 23 JULY:
Creative Thursday: Crime Fiction
Writing Workshops (9am-5.45pm)
An immersive day of workshops and
talks for aspiring crime writers with bestselling authors and industry experts including
A.A. Dhand, Nikki Allen, GR Halliday, LC Winter, Becca Day, Sophie Flynn, Julie
Mae Cohen, N.J. Cooper, Laura Sherlock and Mark Billingham.
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards
& Festival Opening Party (9.00pm)
A celebratory event as the winner
of Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, crime fiction’s most
prestigious prize, is announced, with the McDermid Award for debut fiction and the
Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award also presented.
FRIDAY 24 JULY:
Special Guest: Nadine Matheson
& Steve Cavanagh (9.00am, Theakston Stage)
Two former lawyers, Nadine
Matheson and Steve Cavanagh, discuss how they use their legal training to
brilliant effect in their latest compelling novels.
Conversation: Truth, Lies &
Alibis (10.00am, Swift Half Stage)
Join crime writers Harriet Tyce and
Anna Mazzola for a fast, fun game of secrets and deception guaranteed to test
your detective skills to the limit, chaired by C.B. Everett.
Panel: From Poirot to Podcasts
(10.30am, Theakston Stage)
It is fifty years since the death
of Agatha Christie and one hundred years since her hideaway in the Old Swan
Hotel. Leading contemporary crime writers Ruth Ware, Ragnar Jónasson, Lucy
Foley and Ross Montgomery explore Christie’s enduring influence on the genre
with chair Val McDermid.
Conversation: When Two Become
One: how do writing partnerships stay in synch? (11.30am, Swift Half Stage)
A sharp, insightful session for
crime fans, aspiring writers and anyone interested in the creative process, as
one half of Evelyn Clark joins duo Ellery Lloyd to discuss the art of
collaborative writing.
Special Guests: Holly Jackson
& Gillian McAllister (12.00pm, Theakston Stage)
Ingenious and original rising
stars Gillian McAllister and Holly Jackson discuss their exciting new novels
and how TV and TikTok have proved vital to their successes!
Panel: Can’t Get You Out of My
Head (2.00pm, Theakston Stage)
Bestselling authors Abigail Dean,
Erin Kelly, Jo Murray and Yemi Dipeolu discuss crime, control and dark
psychological landscapes through a distinctly female lens, chaired by Andrew
Hunter Murray.
Conversation: Still Killing it:
20 Years of Doug Johnstone (3.00pm, Swift Half Stage)
A celebratory event as Doug
Johnstone marks 20 years since the publication of his debut novel - and the
release of his twentieth book - in conversation with Chris Brookmyre.
Panel: Man About the House
(3.30pm, Theakston Stage)
Bestselling writers John Marrs,
CM Ewan, Mark Edwards and TM Logan examine domestic noir and what draws male
writers to themes of home and family with journalist Lisa Howells.
Conversation: Unspoken: Why are
secrets so powerful in crime fiction? (4.30pm, Swift Half Stage)
Join two of crime writing’s most
psychologically astute voices, Clare McGowan and Kia Abdullah for an in-depth
conversation about the power of hidden truths in storytelling.
Special Guest: Chris Brookmyre
(5.00pm, Theakston Stage)
A special event celebrating
thirty years since the publication of Chris Brookmyre’s debut novel Quite Ugly
One Morning – and the return of wisecracking investigative journalist, Jack
Parlabane, in 2026 sequel Quite Ugly One Evening. Chris will be in conversation
with Mark Billingham.
Come Di-n-e With Me Friday Author
Dinner (6.15pm)
A unique opportunity for readers
to solve a murder mystery hosted by Mel Pennant, with crime writers Foluso
Agbaje, Alice Bell, Nina Bhadreshwar, Hannah Brennan, Ronnie Brown, L.M.
Chilton, Alex Hay, Sarah Hilary, Louise Jensen, Chris McDonald, K. T. Nguyen,
Lauren North, Daniel Sellers and Paula Sutton.
Panel: Nothing But the Truth
(6.30pm, Theakston Stage)
An exciting panel bringing
together writers whose novel tackle complex societal issues through the unique
lens of crime fiction, with Dorothy Koomson, Adam Kay, Saima Mir and Garry
Disher in conversation with Matt Nixson.
Special Guest: David Baldacci
(8.30pm, Theakston Stage)
One of the world’s leading crime
writers, David Baldacci, in conversation with journalist Julia Wheeler about
his hugely successful career and his latest novel, ‘Hope Rises’ featuring
compelling anti-hero Walter Nash.
Interview Bingo (10.00pm,
Theakston Stage)
Four authors and questions
submitted by readers – ranging from the insightful to the ridiculous. Expect a
funny, fast-paced and entirely unpredictable evening with Abir Mukherjee, Elly
Griffiths, Andi Osho and Holly Stars – with chair Luca Veste.
SATURDAY 25 JULY:
Special Guest: Anthony Horowitz
(9.00am, Theakston Stage)
One of the UK’s best loved and
most prolific writers Anthony Horowitz discusses his brilliant new novel A
Deadly Episode with TV presenter Matthew Stadlen.
Conversation: From Page to Screen
(10.00am, Swift Half Stage)
Is a crime story more powerful on
the page or on screen? M.J. Arlidge and Chris
Chibnall compare the craft of writing novels and television drama, chaired by Julia
Wheeler.
Panel event: What Happened to all
the Serial Killers? (10.30am, Theakston Stage)
As technological advances make it
ever easier for police to catch criminals, how do killers, crooks – and crime
writers – navigate this new world? Crime writers Ajay Chowdhury, Vaseem Khan, Dame
Sue Black and G.D. Wright discuss with chair Clare Mackintosh.
Conversation: Dark Minds &
Twisted Tales (11.30am, Swift Half Stage)
Why do we enjoy being unsettled?
Two of the most exciting voices in contemporary crime and psychological
fiction, Ahana Virdi and Will Carver discuss pushing genre boundaries and using
darkness and humour to challenge readers.
Panel: Critics’ New Blood
(12.00pm, Theakston Stage)
Showcasing the stars of tomorrow,
four outstanding debut novelists Anna Maloney, Leodora Darlington, M.K. Oliver
and Mel Pennant, selected this year by a panel of the UK’s top crime fiction
critics, will be in conversation with critic and writer Natasha Cooper.
Panel event: A Way With Words
(2.00pm, Theakston Stage)
Celebrating the writers who
describe the dark stuff with a dazzling touch of poetry as Denise Mina, Sabine
Durrant, Tracy Sierra and Calum McSorley join chair Tariq Ashkanani.
Conversation: The First Crime is
the Hardest (3.00pm, Swift Half Stage)
Rebecca Philipson – whose journey
to publication began at Creative Thursday – discusses her debut novel How to
Get Away With Murder with Val McDermid.
Panel event: You Don’t Have To
Say You Love Me (3.30pm, Theakston Stage)
Unlikeable characters are central
to many of the most-loved crime novels. Liz Nugent, Araminta Hall, Callie
Kazumi and Chris Bridges discuss perfecting the art of imperfect protagonists with
chair Shari Lapena.
Conversation: Are Spies Heroes
Anymore? (4.30pm, Swift Half Stage)
An entertaining look at the
evolution of the spy hero – from glamorous Cold War operatives to today’s
flawed protagonists - with two of the genre’s best-loved writers Mick Herron and
David McCloskey.
Special Guests: LJ Ross &
Jane Harper (5.00pm, Theakston Stage)
Meet two natural storytellers, LJ
Ross and Jane Harper, who both use remote and atmospheric locations –
Northumberland and smalltown Australia – to spin beguiling stories of murder
and mystery.
Come Di-n-e With Me Saturday
Author Dinner (6.15pm)
‘Who dunnit?’ A second chance for
crime fiction fans to test their detective skills by solving a murder mystery
written with authors: Emma Christie, Jane Corry, Samantha Dooey-Miles, James
Ellson, William Hussey, Fiona Keating, Nasheema Lennon, Rupa Mahadevan, Simon
McCleave, Anna McPartlin, Ian Moore, David Tuch, Bridget Walsh, Paul Waters and
Sean Watkin.
Panel: Whiteboards Versus Empty
Screens: How Do They Do It? (6.30pm, Theakston Stage)
Four very different writers - Richard
Armitage, Ardal O’Hanlon, Adele Parks and Remi Kone - discuss the joys of
writing and the mystery of technique, and their very different approaches to
writing a crime novel, with author Sophie Hannah.
Special Guests: Lisa Jewell
(8.30pm, Theakston Stage)
Multi-million copy bestselling
psychological thriller writer Lisa Jewell discusses her addictive new novel It
Could Have Been Her in conversation with crime writing icon and creator of Jack
Reacher, Lee Child.
Late Night Quiz (10.15pm,
Theakston Stage)
Authors and readers go
head-to-head in a battle of crime fiction wits with quizmasters Val McDermid
and Mark Billingham.
SUNDAY 20 JULY:
Special Guests: Alice Feeney
& Chris Whitaker (9.00am, Theakston Stage)
Two hugely popular global
sensations Alice Feeney and Chris Whitaker tell the inspiring and moving stories
behind their journey to becoming writers and discuss their latest bestselling
novels.
Panel: Your Local Crime Writer (10.30am,
Theakston Stage)
An author’s workspace is their
home from home, and four writers Amen Alonge, M.W. Craven, Frances Crawford and
Marie Tierney discuss how their environment affects their work, with
broadcaster and crime writer Jeremy Vine.
Special Guests: Ann Cleeves &
Brenda Blethyn (12.00pm, Theakston Stage)
Two incredible creatives,
novelist Ann Cleeves and actor Brenda Blethyn discuss how they bought iconic
detective DCI Vera Stanhope to life on our screen and on the page.
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