Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2023

Key:

eventincludedaspartofaSaturdayRoverticket

AlleventstakeplaceatTheOldSwanHotel,SwanRoad,Harrogate, HG12SR, intheliveeventtent.*PleasenotethattheFunLovin’CrimeWriterseventwill takeplaceintheBallroomofTheOldSwanHotel.

FrontcoverpicturecreditRichardMaude

VaseemKhan

2023FestivalProgrammingChair

WelcometothetwentiethTheakstonOldPeculierCrimeWriting Festival.Twentyyears!NotsincethedaysoftheColosseumhas ablood-soakedbacchanaliaincitedsuchfeverishanticipation. Whilewecan’tpromiselionsorchariotraces,wecancertainly offerplentyofmurderandmayhem–andthat’sjustinthebar.

AsthefirstBritishAsiancrimewritertochairtheFestival,Ican’t helpbutthinkofhowcrimefictionhasledthechargeinembracinginclusivityinpublishing; andweseethisinthewonderfullybroadchurchtheFestivalnowrepresents.Thisyear we’vepulledoutallthestops:bignames,hugedebuts,crimewritersfromallovertheworld riskinglifeandlimbtoentertainyou.Noneofthiscouldhappenwithoutaprogramming teamsofrighteninglyefficienttheycoulddoubleupasagangofNinjaassassins...Frankly, ifyoulovecrimefiction,thenHarrogateistheonlyplacetobethisJuly.Don’tmakeme sendthelionsafteryou.

SimonTheakston

ExecutiveDirectorT&RTheakston

AverywarmwelcometoHarrogate,

OurannualTheakstonOldPeculierCrimeWritingFestival,asan anchorintheturbulentseaoflife,isabouttheonlythingwecan relyontoremainaconstantinthesedaysofdizzyingchange. Withthreeprimeministersandfourchancellorssincewelast gatheredayearagoforexample,afactnoteventhemostvivid ofcreativecrimewritercouldpossiblyhavemadeup, surelytherecanbenootheryearliketheonewe’vejustseen!

Buthereweareabouttoraisethecurtainonthe20th TheakstonOldPeculierCrime WritingFestivalandsoonceagaintheopportunityformetoextendthewarmestof welcomestoyoualltothegreatestCrimeWritingFestivalintheWorld!

Undertheauspicesoftheoutstanding2023ProgrammingChair,VaseemKhan,the ProgrammingCommitteehaveputtogetheryetanotherblockbusterofaFestival, withfabulousinterviews,paneldebatesanddiscussionswiththegreatestoftheworld’s crimeauthors.Thisisonenottobemissed.

FriendsofourFestivalwillrememberhowI’vestruggledforyearstocomparetheallure ofapintofOldPeculierwithagreatcrimenovel.Icantellyouthere’snowhereittastes betterthaninHarrogateinthecompanyofallourpartnersincrimeaswegatherinthe groundsoftheOldSwanHotel.WhichmayexplainourFestival’sreputationfor convivialityandlongevity!

Mybestwishestoyouallforawonderfulfourdays!

Whowouldhavethoughtaplanningmee�nginHarrogatebackin Autumn2002wouldhaveyieldedthebehemoththattheTheakston OldPeculierCrimeWri�ngFes�valistoday?

Well,ifyoutakealookatwhowasaroundthetableatthe�me,it’s probablynosurprise…ValMcDermid,JaneGregory,MariaRejtand JaneBradish-Ellamesforstarters.Theminutesforthismee�ngread likeanac�onpackedto-dolistoffamouscelebrityfriends,prac�cal sugges�onsandaclearvisionfortheFes�valinthefuture.

Whatisclearisthatattheheartofthisplanwerethereaders,withoutreachworkinschoolsand communi�esakeypartofthevision.WesetouttocreateaFes�valthatfocussedexclusivelyon crimewri�ng,tosetitapartandavoidreplica�ngtheprolifera�onofliteraturefes�valsacrossthe UK,andthatallpar�cipa�ngauthorswouldbepaid.TheFes�val‘neededtohavecommercial appeal’forasponsor,andanyProgrammingChairmustbeawell-knowncrimewriter.Withfellow ProgrammingCommi�eemembersmadeupfromkeyindustriesincludinganagent,booksellerand publisher.Overall,thevisionwasto‘establishtheFes�valastheUK’snumber1CrimeWri�ngEvent’.

Twentyyearsonthevisions�llremainstrue;andthankstoahostofgenerouspeople,wehave grownintotheFes�valthateachJulyisrecognisedasthe‘GlastonburyofCrime’orthe‘HayonWye oftheCrimeWorld’dependingonwhoyou’respeakingto!

Ahugevoteofthanksmustgotothemany,manypeoplewhohavesatontheProgramming Commi�ee,includingahostoffabulousProgrammingChairs,ourgeneroussponsors,Readersin Residence,andeveryonethathashelpedandcheeredfromthesidelines,backstageandonstage.It reallyhasbeenanamazingexperiencetohaveworkedonthiseventsinceitsincep�onun�ltoday, andwearesoincrediblyluckytohavesomanyamazingsupporters.Myfinalthanks,however,goto our�tlesponsorwhowaybackin2004cameonboardasamajorsponsorfortheFes�vals,andhas remainedloyalandgeneroustouseversince.SimonTheakstono�entellsmethatagreatcrime novelislikeapintofOldPeculier,butwealsoknowthatourgreatFes�valhasachievedsuccess thankstoafantas�c,innova�veandqualitybrandandthegenerosityandfriendshipofSimon Theakstonandhiscompany,T&RTheakston.

SharonCanavar

ChiefExecutiveofHarrogateInternationalFestivals

HarrogateInterna�onalFes�vals welcomesyoutoHarrogatefora weekendofthrillingcrimefic�on. It’soneofthemanyHarrogate Interna�onalFes�valevents, crea�velyplo�edthroughoutthe year,bringingleadingglobalar�sts andimmersiveexperiencesto Harrogate.

January–April

HarrogateInternationalSundaySeries

Chambermusicconcertsandcoffeein themagnificentsurroundingsofthe OldSwanHotel.

June

TheBigRead

“TheNorth’sbiggestbookclub”, encouragingasmanypeopleaspossible toreadaclassicworkofcrimefiction, increasinglinksacrosstheregionbetween librariesandreadinggroups,andinspiring newreaders.

June–July

HarrogateMusicFestival

Featuringthebestofinternationalmusical talentspanningclassical,jazzandfolk,as wellashostingtheprestigiousYoung MusiciansSeries.

TheakstonOldPeculier CrimeWritingFestival

Worldclass,award-winningprogrammeof eventscelebratingtheverybestincrime fiction.

October

RaworthsHarrogateLiteratureFestival

Bringingbestsellingauthors,influential politicians,andstarsofthestagetoshare theirstories.

HIF+YearRound

BerwinsSalonNorth

AyearlyprogrammeofinspiredTEDtalk styleevents,exploringstimulatingideasin art,science,andpsychology.

HIFPlayer

Ourdigitalplatformhostingonlineevents, talksandconcertsaswellasouronline crimeFestival You’reBooked featuringour monthlyBookoftheMonth.

Toseeourfullyear-roundprogrammeand bekeptuptodate,pleasevisit harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

FriendsoftheFestival

BecomingaFriendoftheFes�valsisoneofthebestwaystoenjoyallthat theHarrogateInterna�onalFes�valshavetooffer,frombignamestars,to in�mateconcertsandhiddengems.

Whetheryouwanttogetmoreinvolvedwithourartscharity,orifyouaresimply lookingtoenjoythebenefitsavailabletoyouwhilstattheTheakstonOldPeculier CrimeWri�ngFes�val,aswellasatourfullpor�olioofFes�vals,jointheFriends oftheFes�valstodayforasli�leas£30.

Withbenefitsincluding:

• Prioritybookinguptoaweekaheadof�cketsgoingongeneralsale.*

• PriorityentrancetotheLiveEventTent(beforethecrowd)withyour membershipcardsoyoucangetthebestseatsinthehouse.

• Advancedetailsofexclusivepublishereventsonsitebeforethecrowd.

• AccesstotheFriendsLoungeonsite.

Joinustodaybycalling 01423562303 –orvisitourwebsite harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/festival-friends

*Althoughwecannotguaranteeavailabilityof�ckets,bybeingaFriend,youwillhaveuptooneweekaheadof thegeneralpublictoorderyour�ckets

DATESFORYOURDIARY:

• WeekendandDayRover�ckets,Crea�veThursdayandAuthorDinnerson saletoFriendsfromThursday30March(generalpublicWednesday5April)

• IndividualEventTicketsandSitePassesonsaletoFriendsfromTuesday2May (generalpublicTuesday9thMay)

HowtoBook: BoxOfficetel. 01423562303

Bookonline: harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

WeekendBreakPackages &RoverTickets

…Yourcriminalgetawaystartshere

Don’tmissaminuteofthedramawithourexclusiveWeekendBreakpackages. Foronelong,sultry,summerweekendthetemperatureinHarrogaterises,whateverthe weather,astheworld’sho�estcelebra�onofcrimewri�ngswingsintotown.

Treatyourselftoaweekendatthecrimehotspotofthesummerbybookingacombined�cketand accommoda�onpackage.StayinoneofourspeciallyselectedFes�valhotels(*subjecttoavailabilityat�meof booking)andjoinover100oftheworld’smostcelebratedcrimeauthorsinconversa�on,inac�onandatthebar! Ifyou’renotsurewhichop�onwillbestsuityourneeds,theFes�valteamwillbehappytohelpandadvise. RoomsarealwaysindemandduringtheFes�valWeekendsodon’tmissoutandcallusnowtobook!

OurClassicWeekendBreakPackages&RoverTicketsinclude:

• 3-nightaccommoda�onarrivingThursday20July,Bed&BreakfastinaFes�valhotelofyourchoice*

• Classic**WeekendRover�cket(seebelowforfulldetails)

• Accesstothesiteincludingbars,bookshopandsignings

• Firstopportunitytoaccess�cketstoexclusiveon-sitepublisherevents

• TheakstonOldPeculierCrimeWri�ngFes�valgoodybag

Pricesstartfromjust£609perperson. Tailor-madepackagesfor1,2or4nightstaysarealsoavailableonrequest.

IndulgeyourcriminaltendenciesandgetgreatvalueformoneywithaFestivalRoverticket:

WeekendRover (20-23July)

• AccesstoallFes�valevents** tthroughouttheFes�valweekend, fromtheCrimeNoveloftheYear Awardsat8pmonThursdaytothe lasteventonSundayfinishingat 1pm.Lookoutforthe WeekendRoversymbolnexttothe eventsincludedinyourWeekend Rover�cket. (21events)

• Accesstothesiteincluding bars,bookshopandsignings

• AFes�valgoodybag

Classic** £285| Essen�al £255

FridayRover (21July)

• Beupclosetotheac�onand accessallevents***fromthe mainprogrammeonFriday.Look outfortheFridayRover Lookout fortheFridayRover deno�ng whicheventsareincludedinyour rover�cket. (9events)

• AccesstotheFes�valgrounds includingbars,bookshopand signings

• AFes�valgoodybag

Classic** £139| Essen�al £119

SaturdayRover (22July)

• Beupclosetotheac�onand accessallevents***fromthe mainprogrammeonSaturday. LookoutfortheSaturdayRover deno�ngwhicheventsare includedinyourdayrover�cket. (8events)

• AccesstotheFes�valgrounds includingbars,bookshopand signings

• AFes�valgoodybag

Classic** £129| Essen�al £109

HowtoBook: BoxOfficetel. 01423562303 |Bookonline: harrogateinterna�onalfes�vals.com

*Fes�valHotelchoicesubjecttoavailabilityat�meofbooking.**ClassicRover�cketsincludeatwo-course lunchattheOldSwanHotelontheFridayand/orSaturday,dependingonyourrover.***Rover�cketsDONOT includethefollowing:Crea�veThursday(20July),AuthorDinners&on-sitepublisherevents.Theseevents mustbebookedseparately–pleasecheckeventlis�ngsformoredetails.

CREATIVETHURSDAY

Theroadtopublicationisasfulloftwists,turnsandsurprisesasthebestcrimenovel. Whereveryouareonthatjourney,whetherthefirstpageorthefinaldraft,CreativeThursday haswhatyouneedtomakethatdreamcometrue.

Coveringallaspectsofthebusiness–includinggivingyouthechancetopitchyourbook tothoseatthetopofthetree–CreativeThursdayisimmersive,instructiveandinvaluable.

Thedayissetuptoletyoutapintoawealthofknowledgeandexperiencesharedby bestsellingcrimewriters,editors,agentsandpublishers,andtomakesureyouleavearmed witheverythingyouneedtoturnyourgreatideaintoagreatbook.

ALTERNATIVEPUBLISHING

Asanygoodcrimewriterknows,there’smorethanonewaytoskinacat(butdon’twrite aboutitunlessyou’rereadyfortheletters),andtherearemorewaysthanevertoget published.We’veassembledacrackteamofauthorswhohavetakennon-traditionalroutes tothetop,andpublisherswhoknowtheindustryinsideout.

RachelAbbott and MarkEdwards aremulti-millionsellersandknowjustwhatittakesto getthosealgorithmsworkingforyou. EllisMoore isseniorcontentmanageratBolinda Audio,and RuthTross isapublishingdirectoratBookouture.Theiradvicewillbegolden. Withchair N.J.Cooper

THEPITCH

Howdoyousellyourideatopublishers,editorsandagents? N.J.Cooper deliversa whistlestoptourofthedosanddon'tsforpitchingyourideastoindustryprofessionalsas delegatespreparetodojustthatinTheDragon’sPen,laterintheday.

CreativeThursday

WORKSHOP1 INSIDETHEHEAD:USINGPSYCHOLOGYINCRIMEFICTION

ProfessionalWritingAcademyCourseDirectorandBest-sellingCrimeWriter, GrahamBartlett (BadforGood,DeathComesKnocking,BabesintheWood) isjoinedby clinicalpsychologistandcrimewriter, DrChrisMerritt (KnockKnock,Who’sNext,Lost Souls) teachingabouthowtraumaandrisk-takinghavepsychologicaloriginsand consequences.Weallknowthatcharactersmustchangeoverthecourseofanovel,and especiallyoveraseries,buthowmuchdoweknowaboutthesubtlerimpactsofthe traumawehavepreviouslyputourcharactersthroughandhowthatmanifestsinfuture behaviour?GrahamhasconsultedChrisonhisJoHoweseriesandtheywilltakeyou throughChris’scientificadviceandhowJohaschangedconsequently.

WORKSHOP2 FULLDETAILSABOUTTHISWORKSHOPCOMINGSOON

DRAGON’SPEN

Okay,you’vedonethehardwork(andit’sbeenfun!).Nowlet’sputwhatyou’velearnedto thetest.Andwow,whataterrifyingtestitis…

Takeadeepbreath,stepintothespotlightandmakeyourpitch.Infrontofyou,daringyou toimpresshim,isnumberonebestseller MarkBillingham, alongsidefourseniorindustry professionals.You’vegotthis!

Intheaudienceareyourfellowwriters.Youhavetwominutestoconvincethemthat yoursynopsisandfirstchapterareworthreading.Areyouready?You’dbetterbe.Thisis ourliteraryversionofthepopularTVshow,Dragons’Den,andit’smostdefinitelynotfor thefaint-hearted.Stepup,showthemwhatyou’vegotandsellit.Thepotentialprize iseverything.

IntheDragon’schairswillbe: FinnCotton,SeniorCommissioningEditoratTransworld; JulietMushens,AgentatMushensEntertainment; MaddalenaCavaciuti,Agentat DavidHighamAssociatesand RuthTross,PublishingDirectoratBookouture.

Askusaboutourbursaries:harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

TheakstonOldPeculier CrimeAwardsandParty

£25

ThepresentationoftheTheakstonOldPeculierCrimeNoveloftheYearisoneof themosthotlyanticipatednightsinthecrimefictioncalendar.Nowinits19th year,ithasbecomethemostcovetedprizefortoday’scrimewriters.

PastwinnersincludeMarkBillingham,ValMcDermid,LeeChild,DeniseMina, andthe2022recipientMickHerron.

Whowilltakethetitle?Sixshortlistedauthorswillputtheirgamefaceon asMasterofCeremony MarkLawson presentsthemurderouslygood line-up.

ThecovetedNoveloftheYearAward,dubbedthecrimewriting fraternity’sequivalentoftheOscars,withapintofYorkshire’sfinest thrownin,kicksoffthe2023Festivalinstyle.

AniconofthegenrewillalsobehonouredwiththeOutstanding Contributionaccolade.

CelebrationscontinuewiththeofficialFestivalopeningparty.

2023LongListAnnouncement

Thenamesofthe20longlisttitleswillbeannouncedonThursday27April. Whodoyouthinkwillbeonthelist?Letusknow#TheakstonsCrime.

9am

SpecialGuest: ValMcDermid

Alivinglegend,ana�onaltreasureandquitesimply,oneofthegreatest writersthecrimefic�ongenrehaseverknown. ValMcDermid istheauthor of38outstandingnovels,abodyofworkunrivalledinthemodernage.Asan originalfounderoftheTheakstonOldPeculierCrimeWri�ngFes�val,it seemedonlyfi�ngtohaveValasouropenereventaswecelebrate twodecadesofcrime.

Sheisthecreatorofseveralunforge�ableprotagonists includingLindsayGordon,TonyHillandCarolJordan,Kate Brannigan,andmostrecently,AllieBurns.Severalhaveleapt frompagetoscreen,includingthebrilliantKarenPiriewho wasbroughttolifeinamajorITVserieslastautumn.

£17

StartingwithaScream

Val’smostrecentnovel,thespellbinding 1989,isthesecond inanambi�ousseriesoffivebookschroniclingboththe careerofAllieBurnsandtheever-changingworldinwhich shefightstosurviveanduncoverthetruth. £14

Hook‘emearlyanddon’tletthemgo.Thesefourauthorsknowthesecretofakiller openingsceneandwilldissectitforyourdelecta�on.Interna�onalbestseller SimonToyne u�lisesallthetricksofhisformerTVtradetokickstarthiseerienew thriller, TheClearing LizNugent hasreeledofffourno.1bestsellersinarow,andher dazzlingfi�hbook, StrangeSallyDiamond, showcaseshergi�forfiendishlyclever openings. WillCarver isthetwistedmindbehindaseriesofhighlyoriginalnovels, thelatestofwhichisthemesmeric SuicideThursday. CJTudor isthemasterofthe macabre,andthebrutallyfast-paced TheDri� ishermostterrifyingchilleryet. FionaCummins,authorof AllOfUsAreBroken,isinthechair.

10.30am

SimonToyne

LizNugent

WillCarver

CJTudor FionaCummins

Law&Disorder

Fourmastersoftheartdiscusswhethertheendjus�fiesthemeanswhenpolice officerscrosstheline.FormerMetdetec�ve NeilLancaster’sblisteringnewthriller BloodRunsCold pushesDSMaxCraigie’sintegritytothelimit. CaraHunter has takenoverthemantleofOxford’stopcopwriterandtheheart-pumping Murderin theFamily isatwistymasterpiece. JaneCasey’sKerriganandDerwentseriessets thestandardforpoliceproceduralsandherlatest, TheClose,seeshercopsblurthe lineslikeneverbefore.Criminalsolicitor NadineMatheson madeasearingstartto herfic�oncareerwith TheJigsawMan,and TheBindingRoom isasensa�onal follow-up.Topcopturnedbestseller GrahamBartle� isincharge.

LiteraryCrime

Greatcrimefic�onisliterallyliterary,andasgoodasanyhighbrowoffering.When you’vegotproseandplot,you’vegotthelot,andthesefourwritersarerightly acclaimedfortheirwordsmithery. WillDean’selectrifyingthriller, TheLast Passenger, isaseagoingsuspensethatdipsandtwistsliketheperfectstorm. The SquareofSevens isanepic,sprawlingwonderofanhistoricalnovelproving Laura Shepherd-Robinson’stalentforlanguageandstorytelling. AbirMukherjee’shighly celebratedWyndhamandBanerjeeseriesvividlybringsRaj-eraIndiatolifewithits wealthofstylishwri�ng. Jacob Ross hasweldedhisliteraryskillstoheart-stopping plotintwoextraordinarycrimenovels,themostrecentofwhichis BlackRain Falling.Numberonebestseller SJParris chairsproceedings.

12pm

2pm

NeilLancaster CaraHunter JaneCasey NadineMatheson GrahamBartlett £14

WillDean LauraShepherdRobinson AbirMukherjee JacobRoss SJParris £14

Simmeringsecrets,fatalfascina�onsandpoisonouspassionsmakeforthedarkest ofdeeds.Meetfourwriterswhoreachintotherootsofourpsychetocreatecreepily compulsivetales. SarahHilary’sbreath-taking BlackThorn feedsonthedark shadowsofhumannature,askingwhatwereallyknowaboutourneighbours. DorothyKoomson’s MyOtherHusband isawhip-smart,grippingthrilleraboutthe fearsunderpinningacomplexweboflies. MarkEdwards hasagi�forirresis�ble thrillerspu�ngordinarypeopleinextraordinarysitua�ons;thepulsa�ng KeepHer Secret ishislatest. AlexNorth hasadevilishabilitytoplayonourinnermostfears andheunleashesthemfullyinthespine�ngling TheHalfBurntHouse ErinKelly, authorof TheSkeletonKey,willchair.

InConversation: LisaJewell and RuthWare

Spendanhoureavesdroppingontwoofthemosttalentedand successfulwritersatworktoday. LisaJewell and RuthWare have bothtoppedglobalbestsellerlistswhilepushingtheboundariesof thegenre;leadingcrimefic�oninnewandexci�ngdirec�ons.

Lisaispublishedinover25languagesandhas soldmorethan10millionbooksworldwide. Thequeenofpsychologicalsuspense,she effortlesslyandexpertlyleadsreadersdown twis�ngdarkalleys.Herlatestnovelisthe addic�veandunse�ling NoneofThisisTrue. Ruth’sfirstsevennovelshavebeentranslated into40languagesanddeservedlygarneredan armyofardentfansacrosstheworld.From In aDark,DarkWood to TheITGirl,shehas displayedauniquetalentforstorytelling,at oncebothclassicandinnova�ve.

SarahHilary DorothyKoomson MarkEdwards

AlexNorth ErinKelly

FromNe�lixtoHollywood,crimedramasnowruletheroost.Fourauthorsdiscuss theprocessofgoingfrompagetoscreenandbringingtheirliterarycrea�onstolife. ImranMahmood’sground-breakingnovel YouDon’tKnowMe wasadaptedintoa highlysuccessfulBBC1seriesandhehassincebeencommissionedtowritethree screenplays. AADhand isworkingwithaUKbroadcastertobringthesixnovelsin hisacclaimedDIHarryVirdeeseriestoTV. LouiseDoughty istheauthorof Apple TreeYard,whichwasmadeintoamajorBBCseries,andhernovel Pla�ormSeven hasbeenfilmedforITVX. MickHerron’soutstanding SloughHouse serieshasbeen drama�sedinabigbudgetAppleTVseriesstarringOscar-winnerGaryOldman. Serialbestseller ChrisBrookmyre willdirect.

8.30pm

Withthreeoutstandingcrimeseries,twomuch-loved televisiondramas,thirty-sixnovelstranslatedintoover twentylanguages,andalegionoffansbothintheUK andaroundtheworld, AnnCleeves hasenjoyedan almostunrivalledcareer.AsthecreatorofbothVera StanhopeandJimmyPerez,theprotagonistsof Vera and Shetland, shehasbroughtjoytomillions.Ann’s novel TheLongCall,thefirstinherTwoRiversseries, wasalsosuccessfullyadaptedforTV.

Herlatestnovel, TheRagingStorm,isthethirdinthe Devon-setseriesandseesDIMa�hewVennfaceupto ghostsfromhispasta�erthebodyofacelebrity adventurerisfoundinadinghyanchoredoffalocalcove.

Annwillbeinterviewedbyaward-winningcrimewriter VaseemKhan.

ImranMahmood AADhand LouiseDoughty MickHerron ChrisBrookmyre £14 £17

FunLovin’CrimeWriters 10pm

Theboys(andVal)arebackintown!

It’sfourlongyearssincetheworld’sgreatestcrimewri�ngsuperbandstru�ed theirstuffonstageintheOldSwan.Butfearnot,thegodsofrockhavespoken,and ValMcDermid, MarkBillingham, Chris Brookmyre, Doug Johnstone, Stuart Neville and Luca Veste willbebackdoingwhattheydobest(apartfromwri�ngbooks, obviously).

ThisJuly,theywillbearmedwithnewkillertunes,butasever,theywillbe murderingsongsforfun.And,likethebestmysteries,thereismuchs�lltobe revealed.WillLucagettofinishBritney?WillMarklearnthatelusivefourthchord? Willtheyfightthelawandwillthelawwin?

Turntheamplifiersuptoeleven,getyourdancingshoeson,andgetreadytorock.

PleasenotethatTheFunLovin’CrimeWriterseventwilltakeplaceinTheBallroom oftheOldSwanhotel.

£14

HIF@Homegivesyouaccesstoallthefunof theFes�vals,fromthecomfortofyourhome.

We’reprovidingahostofcontentandtalentallfreefromyourhome,phoneorlaptop.

WedgewoodRestaurant

6.15pm|£50

Whodunnit?That’stheques�ononeveryone’slipsattheauthordinner–alongwith goodfood,wineandconversa�on.Yourtablewillbehostedbyaleadingcrimewriter whowilllendtheirinsight,experienceandskill–orfailingthat,theirbestguess–to iden�fytheperpetratorofthedastardlycrimeinthemurdermysterythatwillbe actedoutforyourdelight,delecta�onanddiversion.Knives,forksandsharpwitsat theready,let’seat.

OnFriday,crackthecasewith: RachelAbbo�,AmenAlonge, JennyBlackhurst,JoCallaghan, A.A.Chaudhuri,AlexDahl,S.E.Lynes, D.L.Marshall,SimonMason, GregMosse,CraigRobertson, LeighRussell,WilliamShaw, TraceyWhitwell,NicolaWilliams

OnSaturday,exposethemurdererwith: RichardArmitage,TinaBaker,D.V.Bishop, SamBlake,StephBroadribb, EmmaChris�e,LisaGray,DavidHewson, SusiHolliday,OliviaKiernan, AlexMarwood,StuartNeville, Chris�eJ.Newport,JudeO”Reilly, JamesOswald,HollySeddon,SueWatson, KatyWatson

Includesawelcomeglassofwine,2-coursemurdermysterydinner,teasandcoffees,aswell asacopyofyourhost’slatestbook…plusaprizeforthewinningtable!

InConversation: S.A.Cosby & ChrisHammer

Risinginterna�onalstars S.A.Cosby and ChrisHammer aretwo ofthemostvibrantandvitalvoicesincrimefic�ontoday.

ShawnCosbyrocketedtoglobalprominencewithtwohighly celebrated,award-winningnovels.Thestunning Blacktop Wasteland,apowerfulandstylishsliceofnoir, wasfollowedbythepoignantandpugnacious RazorbladeTears whichtacklesthemost importantques�onsofour�mesheadon. Hisnewnovel, AlltheSinnersBleed, is muchan�cipated.

ChrisHammerenjoyedacelebratedthirtyyearcareerasajournalistinhisna�ve Australiaandinterna�onally.Hissearing debutnovel, Scrublands,wastheSundayTime CrimeBookoftheYearandwontheCWAJohn CreaseyDagger.Fourfurthernovels,each grippingandmeaningful,havecemented Hammer’splaceasoneoftheworld’sleading thrillerwriters.

ModernGumshoes:PIForHire

Privateinves�gatorsarecool.FACT.Endofdiscussion.Fourtalentedwriterswhonever havereasontobeashamedoftheirshamusdiscusshowtheprivateeyehasevolved.

FemiKayode introducesthebrilliantPhilipTaiwototheworldinhispowerfully suspensefuldebut Lightseekers,setinhisna�veNigeria. RobertCrais isthecreatorof theiconicPIElvisColeandhissidekickJoePikewhoreturninthepulsa�ng Racingthe Light. HollyWa�’stenaciousjournalistCaseyBenedictmakesherfourthou�nginthe electrifyinginterna�onalthriller TheEndoftheGame. TimWeaver’sDavidRakerseries goesfromstrengthtostrengthandthemissingpersonsinves�gatorisinscin�lla�ng formin TheLastGoodbye.Author DougJohnstone willkeepaprivateeyeon proceedings.

9am

£17

10.30am

£14

FemiKayode

RobertCrais

HollyWatt

TimWeaver DougJohnstone

Thisisoneofthemosteagerlyan�cipatedeventsonourprogramme–andoneofthe mostcovetedspotsforauthors. ValMcDermid’schoiceoftheyear’sbestdebutshas providedapla�ormforsomeoutstandingtalents,andtheclassof‘23isnoexcep�on.

S�gAbell makesastrikingfic�ondebutwith DeathUnderaLi�leSky,anatmospheric thrillersetinaseeminglyidyllicvillage. JoCallaghan’shighly-original InTheBlinkOfAn Eye featurestheinnova�vepairingofaseasoneddetec�vewithanAIpartner. Heather Darwent’sfiendishlyclever TheThingsWeDoToOurFriends isadeliciouslydarktaleof toxicfriendshipsanddeadlysecrets.Thepowerfullyevoca�ve NeedlessAlley by Natalie Marlow isagripingtaleofmoun�ngmenaceonthestreetsof1930sBirmingham.

PresumedGuilty

Beupstandingincourt.ThehonourableJudge RobRinder isinsession.Thebarrister,TV starandauthorwillwieldthegavelasfouroutstandingauthorsexploreourloveforthe judicialhighjinksandcourtroomba�lesattheheartofthelegalthriller.

Tension-packedcourtroomscenesunderpin SarahVaughan’sprescientpoli�calthriller

Reputa�on, anothercharthita�erthehugesuccessof AnatomyofaScandal.

SteveCavanagh’sEddieFlynnseriesisthegoldstandardforlegalthrillersandthelatest, TheAppren�ce,isatwistyrollercoasterofaride.Formerbarrister HelenFields isin criminallygoodforminherlatestnovel, TheIns�tu�on,ahaun�ngrace-against-�me thriller. KiaAbdullah’spoignant ThosePeopleNextDoor isapowerfuland thought-provokingcourtroomdramaexaminingracismintheunderbellyofsuburbia.

£14

2pm

ValMcDermid

StigAbell

JoCallaghan

HeatherDarwent

NatalieMarlow

RobRinder

SarahVaughan SteveCavanagh

HelenFields KiaAbdullah £14

MurderMostJoyful

3.30pm

Slayingsomeonedoesn’t have tobeadarkanddrearybusiness.Thecreatorsof ‘cosy’crimehavebroughtjoywheretherewasdespair,bellylaughswherethere werebroodingbarbs.

MarkBillingham’sfirstnewseriesin20yearsseestheintroduc�onofabrilliantly originalcrea�oninDetec�veDeclanMiller,theeccentricstarof TheLastDance.The latestin EllyGriffiths’much-lovedRuthGallowayseriessetinruralNorfolkisthe unmissable TheLastRemains. An�Tuomainen’shilariousandnail-bi�ngnewnovel TheMooseParadox issoontobeamajormoviereleasestarringSteveCarell.The ReverendRichardColes hasfollowedhischarttopper MurderBeforeEvensong with theequallycharmingandfunny ADeathintheParish.Author SJBenne� willensure suitabledecorum.

SpecialGuest: JefferyDeaver

First,somenumbers. JefferyDeaver istheauthorof42 novels,soldin150countriesandtranslatedintoover25 languages.Hehassoldover150millionbooksworldwide. Allveryimpressivebutthenumbersbarelybegintotell thestoryofastoriedcareer.Deaverisamaestroof suspensewithpreciousfewequals.

Fromhisdebut Manha�anisMyBeat throughto TheBone Collector tohislatest, Hun�ngTime,hehascreateda successionofexpertlyplo�ednovels,eachgrippingand ingenious,eachracingalongfuelledbypace,originality, inven�onandheart.

Hehasgivenhislegionofreadersaseriesof memorableprotagonistsincludingLincolnRhyme, KathrynDanceandColterShaw.Eachleapfromthe page,cra�edatthefinger�psofamasterstoryteller.

JefferyDeaverwillbeinterviewedbybroadcasterand author MarkLawson

£14

5pm

MarkBillingham EllyGriffiths AnttiTuomainen

Rev.RichardColes SJBennett

SpecialGuests: LeeChild & AndrewChild

AbrotherandChildreunionasthecreatorsoldand newoftheiconicJackReachercometogethertodiscuss hislegacy.

Reacherisaglobalphenomenon–it’ssaidoneofhis novelsissoldsomewhereintheworldeverynine seconds.He’stheworld’sfavouriteliteraryac�on hero,afigurewhotranscendsthegenre,a characterfortheages.He’sastreetwise Herculestofighttherisingodds.

When LeeChild madethedecisiontoeasean extraordinarycareertowardsre�rement, itwashisbrother AndrewChild,asuccessful authorinhisownright,whowaschargedwith thedaun�ngtaskofcon�nuingthedynasty. He’sdonesobrilliantlyand NoPlanB,thethird collabora�onbetweenthebrothersisastaut, twistyandterrificasever.

8.30pm

TheLateNightQuiz 10pm

Andnow,fromHarrogate… it’sthequizoftheyear.

Formateamandfindatableforwhatisa highlightofeveryTheakston’sFes�val.It’sthe fiendishlyfunquizthatpitchesauthorsagainst publishersandreviewersagainstreadersina ba�leofcrimefic�onwitsasSaturdaynight hurtlestowardsSundaymorning.

LeeChildandAndrewChildwillbeinterviewedby broadcaster StephMcGovern £14

Theleadersoftheinquisi�onare,asever,thedynamicduoof ValMcDermid and Mark Billingham.TheyaretheBonnieandClydeofcrime,theLennonandMcCartneyofmusic, theAntandDecofeverythingelse.Together,forever,theywilltestyourcrimefic�on knowledgeun�lyourli�legreycellsarebeggingformercy.Buttherewillbenomercy!

Rememberit’salljustabitoffun.Withprizes.

Inagli�eringcrimefic�oncanon,onefigurecon�nuestoholdinfluenceaboveall others.AgathaChris�eremainsaninspira�onandthesefourdisciplesoftheDame explainwhytheGoldenAgeendures.

JaniceHalle�’smeteoricrisecon�nueswith TheMysteriousCaseoftheAlperton Angels,anovelascompulsiveandcunningasherbreakthroughbooks. Vaseem Khan’sabilitytoweavestylish,complexplotsisonfulldisplayinhislatestengrossing thriller DeathofaLessGod RagnarJonasson’sGoldenAgecreden�alsshine throughinhiselegant,twistycra�ing;hislatest, Reykjavic,wasco-wri�enwith IcelandicPrimeMinisterKatrinJakobsdo�r. AGameofLies istheexhilara�ngand expertlyplo�edthirdou�ngfor ClareMackintosh’scomplexandcourageousDC FfionMorgan.Radiopresenteranddebutcrimewriter S�gAbell isinthechair.

Domes�cnoirisdangerouslyclosetohome,alandpeopledwithdodgyhusbands, schemingwivesandmurderoussiblings.Meetfourauthorsexpertlyversedinthe darkersidesofloveandfriendship.

ShariLapena’strademarkclever,twistyplo�ngisatitsdevilishbestinherlatest thriller,thegripping EveryoneHereisLying C.L.Taylor’sred-hot TheGuiltyCouple hassomanytwists,turns,upsanddownsthatrollercoasterseverywhereshould sueforbreachofcopyright. LouiseCandlish’soutstandingnewnovel TheOnly Suspect isaspirallingtaleofobsession,loveanddecep�onthatwillleaveyou breathless. ClaireDouglas hasstruckdomes�cgoldagainwithherunse�lingnew book TheWomanWhoLied,acompellingtaleoflifeimita�ngart.Bestselling author T.M.Logan willleadthediscussion.

JaniceHallett VaseemKhan RagnarJonasson ClareMackintosh StigAbell £14

ShariLapena

C.L.Taylor

LouiseCandlish

ClaireDouglas T.M.Logan £14

23JULY2023

|

Celebratedhistorianandauthor LucyWorsley isthefaceof televisionhistoryfollowingasuccessionofpopularBBC documentaries.SheisChiefCuratorofRoyalPalaceswith responsibilityfortheTowerofLondonandHamptonCourtPalace. Likehercharges,shehasanelegant,charmingfaçade,butlikethem sheisalsoakeeperofdarksecrets.

Lucy’sbook, AVeryBri�shMurder, exploresthena�onal obsessionwiththemostheinousofcrimes,bothreal andimagined,assheexpertlyleadsusthrough celebratedmurdercasesandtheevolu�onofthe crimenovel.Herlatestworkisanacclaimed biographyofAgathaChris�e.Withaccessto personalle�ersandpapersthathaverarelybeen seen,Lucyrevealsanextraordinarywomananda literarypioneer.

LucyWorsleywillbeinterviewedby broadcaster NatashaKnight.

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Ifyoupurchasea�cketforanevent,youdonot needasitepassforthatday.

SitePasseswillgoonsaleinMay. Pricesare£10perday,or£30forafullweekend access(ThursdaytoSunday).

23

ByPhone:01423562303

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In Person:HarrogateInterna�onalFes�vals, 32CheltenhamParade,HG11DB

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AboutUs

HarrogateInterna�onalFes�valsistheflagshipartsFes�valforthe NorthofEngland.Acharitableorganisa�on,ourpassionand ambi�onmaintainsourposi�onasanartsorganisa�ondelivering Fes�valsofna�onalimportanceanddrama�callyincreasingthe culturalopportuni�esforHarrogateandthewiderregion.

HonoraryPresident

PeterBlackburnCBE

VicePresidents

MrsFrainyArdeshir

LesleyGarrettCBE

DavidHaxby

DavidSalter

ChristineWoods

BoardofTrustees

FionaMovley,Chairman

MatthewOsbourne,Treasurer

JohnBywater

JennyHarris

LucyHind

IainJenkins

CraigRatcliffe

SusanRumfitt

Observer

StanleyLumleyCouncillor, HarrogateBoroughCouncil

SupportServices

TheakstonOldPeculier ProgrammingCommittee

VaseemKhan

2023ProgrammingChair

MarkBillingham

NJCooper

JaneGregory

SteveMosby

LauraSherlock

JuliaWisdom

SharonCanavar

ClemenceRoux

MarcDunleavy

MarcDunleavy | ConradDaviesCreative | DavidSimister,DifferentPR|Dot&Diode|Midas PR | TimGarbuttEvents |KarenSweeney|AvenuePrintingHouse

Thanks

Withspecialthankstoallourvolunteers,withoutwhomtheFestivalcouldnothappen.

Frontcoverimagecredit:RichardMaude

FestivalEventswillbeginpunctuallyatthetimestated.Theuseofmobilephones, camerasandaudio/visualrecordersisstrictlyprohibited.

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