Billingham and Brookmyre named in full programme for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

Writers including Mark Billingham, Chris Brookmyre, Louise Candlish and Jane Casey have been confirmed for this year’s 20th anniversary Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.  

The full programme for the festival was announced by The Harrogate International Festivals today, Tuesday 28th March. It has been curated by crime and thriller author Vaseem Khan, who will be chairing the event. 

The "world’s largest celebration of crime fiction and thriller writing", the festival will run from 20th to 23rd July 2023 at Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel. Some of the biggest names in crime fiction have been confirmed, adding to the existing list of special guests headlining the festival, which was introduced earlier this year and includes writers such as Lee Child, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves. 

Exploring everything from "the perfect murderous opening, police procedurals and dark obsessions to legal thrillers and the golden age of crime", crime and thriller authors including Janice Hallett, Shari Lapena and Louise Candlish will be discussing the genre and influences on their writing. Abir Mukherjee, Steve Cavanagh, Elly Griffiths, Ragnar Jónasson and Clare Mackintosh will also be among the writers attending the festival.

Kicking off the festival will be the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award ceremony, where the winner of the crime writing accolade is revealed alongside the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award. This year’s festival also includes two whodunnit-themed author dinners, giving an opportunity for crime fans to get to know authors. Actor Richard Armitage will join writers Stuart Neville, David Hewson and others in "a murder mystery with a twist".

The line-up of events includes the return of festival co-founder McDermid’s New Blood panel, celebrating four debut crime writers, and the popular Late-Night Quiz, hosted by McDermid and Billingham. The festival will also feature panels and the Creative Thursday crime fiction writing workshop chaired by crime reviewer Natasha Cooper (N J Cooper) and Billingham, where aspiring writers will be offered the opportunity to learn from established writers. 

Khan said: “It feels special to be the first British Asian crime writer to chair the festival, and even more special for the monumental 20th anniversary. The festival team have pulled together an ’Avengers Assemble’ line-up of crime writers to celebrate the monumental anniversary."

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, added: “This year marks 20 years since the festival launched in Harrogate, and what wonderful two decades we’ve had celebrating the world of crime fiction. In that time, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has welcomed some of the biggest names in crime fiction and this year is no exception. In collaboration with our 2023 festival chair, Vaseem Khan, we are delighted to announce this year’s full programme for what will be the best festival yet!”

Simon Theakston, executive director of Theakston, commented: “This year’s festival will be another monumental event for the world of crime fiction. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the festival over the past 20 years and following the full programme announcement, I am thoroughly looking forward to celebrating once again at the world’s best crime writing festival over a pint of Old Peculier!"