Headley and Hamdy to launch London crime and thriller festival

A 'Comic-Con' style crime and thriller festival will launch in London in 2019, founded by Goldsboro Books m.d. David Headley and novelist and screenwriter Adam Hamdy.

Capital Crime will run in the West End from 26th to 28th September, featuring events focused on “accessible, mainstream fiction loved by readers around the world”, and will “entertain crime and thriller fans and attract newcomers to the genre”.

Modelled on the large conventions that have done so much to popularise the comic book genre, Capital Crime will offer fans the opportunity to engage with their favourite authors, filmmakers and creative talent. The festival is expected to attract more than 800 crime and thriller fans over three days and promises a “unique social outreach initiative”, with details being unveiled later this year. 

“Capital Crime is an inclusive festival and we will be launching an exciting new initiative to encourage people from disadvantaged backgrounds into the world of publishing,” Hamdy said. He described the event as a “place for fans to come and celebrate everything about this best-selling genre”.

Headley said: “The international film and television industry has a long history of adapting crime and thriller books. Capital Crime is a place where authors can be recognised for their role in creating these wonderful works, and fans can come to meet them and the people responsible for adapting them into other media. It’s a celebration of all things crime and thriller.”

“From Sherlock Holmes to James Bond, George Smiley to Cormoran Strike, London is home to some of the best loved crime and thriller characters.  Yet it is one of the few places in the UK that doesn’t have a dedicated crime and thriller festival. Adam and I are excited to be bringing Capital Crime to Britain’s biggest city.”

For more information, visit capitalcrime.org or visit @CapitalCrime1 on Twitter.