Richard Osman, Abir Mukherjee and Erin Kelly headline Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2024

Richard Osman, Erin Kelly and Abir Mukherjee are appearing as this year’s special guests at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. 

Curated by festival chair Ruth Ware, with the programming committee, the programme also includes Chris Carter, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths, Vaseem Khan, Dorothy Koomson, Shari Lapena and Liz Nugent. 

Returning to Harrogate for its 21st year, the event runs from 18th to 21st July 2024 and offers a chance to hear from major authors of the genre and discover new talent across panels, talks and inspiring creative workshops.

Organisers said: “This year’s special guests include home-grown talent from around the UK, alongside exciting writers from Canada, Brazil and Ireland, in a celebration of the genre that highlights its strength, diversity and global appeal.”

Ware, who will interview Osman about his smash hit Thursday Murder Club series, said: "I’m proud of the incredible roster of special guests appearing at this year’s festival – together they showcase the strength, breadth and excellence of the crime-writing landscape. Harrogate has always been a festival with readers at its very heart, and there is something for everyone in this celebration of our genre." 

Khan, award-winning author of the Baby Ganesh Agency series and the Malabar House novels and last year’s chair, will open the festival in conversation with Mukherjee, author of the globally bestselling Wyndham & Banerjee series.  

Lapena visits from Canada to talk about her latest thriller What Have You Done (Transworld) with Nugent, winner of four Irish Book Awards and fellow Irish crime writer Casey will be in conversation with Kelly. 

Carter, author of the Robert Hunter series, and Koomson – the "Queen of the Big Reveal" – will unveil their latest thrillers and Griffiths will discuss her new standalone mystery The Last Word (Quercus).  

Sharon Canavar, c.e.o. of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “`We look forward to bringing another brilliant festival to Harrogate in celebration. Ruth has curated an exciting programme with every crime fiction reader at its heart.” 

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is delivered by charitable organisation Harrogate International Festivals. For more information, visit harrogateinternationalfestivals.com.