Mina to chair Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

Award-winning crime novelist Denise Mina will chair the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival this year.

She will oversee a programme which features Lynda La Plante, Paula Hawkins, Michael Connelly, Val McDermid and Charlie Higson among others.

Authors such as Tess Gerritsen, Michael Connelly, Lucy Foley, John Connolly, CL Taylor and Kathy Reichs will also make an appearance at the festival which runs from 21st to 24th July at Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel. It forms part of the year-round portfolio curated by the charitable organisation Harrogate International Festivals.

Mina will be chatting with La Plante, while elsewhere Hawkins, the author behind global phenomenon The Girl on The Train (DoubleDay), will appear in conversation with crime writer and reviewer NJ Cooper. Connolly will be discussing The Furies (Hodder & Stoughton), the 22nd book in his award-winning Charlie Parker series, while Kathy Reichs will introduce Cold, Cold Bones (S&S), the latest instalment in the acclaimed Temperance Brennan series. McDermid will once again be hosting her New Blood panel, showcasing four debut crime writers to watch.

Connelly, author of the international bestselling Harry Bosch series and The Lincoln Lawyer (Orion), will return to the festival to appear in conversation with festival stalwart Mark Billingham. Gerritsen will be flying in from the US to discuss her writing career while Foley and Taylor will talk about their new books. Channel 4 journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern will get the lowdown from actor and author Higson on his new crime novel, Whatever Gets You Through the Night (Little, Brown Group.) 

“The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is the greatest crime writing event of the year so it is a very real honour to be chairing it, to work with the programming committee and to have the chance to attend all the thrilling events," Mina said. "After the difficulties and hardships of the past two years, we are all very much looking forward to all of the writers and readers coming together in Harrogate once more.”

Chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals Sharon Canavar said: “Each year, Harrogate International Festivals aims to offer crime fiction fans the chance to listen to the very best writers in the genre speak and this year’s line-up proves to be no exception. It has been wonderful to work with Denise, seeing the fantastic line-up she has curated for this year’s festival, featuring crime fiction legends alongside some of the most exciting new talent in the field. We look forward to announcing the full programme in the coming months and sharing the exciting weekend we have planned for our attendees.”

Simon Theakston, executive director of Theakston, added: “We are very proud to once again be headline sponsors of the world’s best crime writing festival. Crime fiction has never been more popular and we can’t wait to listen to world-class authors discussing all aspects of crime and thriller writing.”

Mina is known for the Tartan Noir Garnethill trilogy, as well as her Alex Morrow and Paddy Meehan series. The latter was adapted into a BBC television drama. In addition to her 14 novels, Mina writes short stories, plays and graphic novels, presents on TV and radio, and leads masterclasses on crime writing. Her appointment as chair follows Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Lee Child.