Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival unveils new anthology

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and the Orion Publishing Group have announced a new anthology, Murder in Harrogate, to coincide with the 21st anniversary of the festival.

Curated and edited by former festival chair and author Vaseem Khan, the anthology features 10 stories from a stellar cast of British writing talent, including Ann Cleeves, Mark Billingham, M W Craven, Elly Griffiths and Abir Mukherjee, as well as Clare Mackintosh, Steve Cavanagh, Janice Hallett, Khan, and Ruth Ware.

Sam Eades at Orion Fiction acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, and the book will be published in e-book, audio and hardback on 18th July 2024.

"From a missing person case inspired by Agatha Christie’s infamous disappearance at the Old Swan Hotel to a murdered Macbeth to a vicious Parkrun assault and a shocking revelation at the Turkish Baths, these razor-sharp stories are a testament to the festival’s rich history and a celebration of the local area," the synopsis says.

Canavar said: “We are delighted that Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has proved such an inspiration to the wonderful authors who have contributed to Murder in Harrogate. This unique short-story collection is the perfect way to celebrate the festival’s 21st anniversary.”

Khan added: "This collection represents a high-water mark for crime anthologies. With a roll call of household names in crime and thriller writing turning their warped minds to the short-story format, we have something for every taste: historical crime, contemporary killings, psychological chillers and mini-thrillers. It was a delight to work with such murderously good authors and with Orion and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. Editing the collection was simply a matter of firing the starter pistol and watching the bodies pile up.”