For one long, sultry, summer weekend the temperature in Harrogate rises whatever the weather as the world’s hottest celebration of crime writing swings into town. Once tasted, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival leaves you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next exciting chapter.

It’s the friendliest Festival with its feet firmly on Yorkshire ground. Hang out with your heroes, get an exclusive insight into the Next Big Thing, rub shoulders with the UK’s leading agents, editors and publishers. Be inspired and join in the drama at Agatha Christie’s old haunt: the luxurious Old Swan Hotel.

Held between 18-21 July 2024, this year’s Festival guarantees thrills, and perhaps a few spills at the hotel bar, at the gathering of crime writing professionals and enthusiasts, authors and readers. Grab a pint of Yorkshire’s finest ale, relax in the hotel gardens, and dip into an intoxicating mix of comedy, cabaret, heated debate, and scintillating socialising.

International bestselling novelist Ruth Ware takes the reins as Festival Programming Chair in 2024, following in the footsteps of such giants of the genre as Ian Rankin, Elly Griffiths, Denise Mina, Lee Child, Val McDermid and Vaseem Khan.

Curated by 2024 Festival Programming Chair Ruth Ware, with the programming committee, the Special Guests on this year’s programme include global bestsellers and fan favourites Chris Carter, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths, Peter James, Erin Kelly, Vaseem Khan, Dorothy Koomson, Shari Lapena, Abir Mukherjee, Liz Nugent and Richard Osman.

Keep an eye out this Spring for other exciting programming announcements, as we reveal a world class line-up of the biggest names and most exciting new talent in crime fiction. It would be a murderous misdemeanour to miss it!

Weekend schedule at a glance

Thursday 18 July
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards and Party

Friday 19 July A total of 8 events including:
Abir Mukherjee and Vaseem Khan in conversation
Shari Lapena and Liz Nugent in conversation
Special guest Peter James

Saturday 20 July A total of 9 events including:
Special guest Chris Carter
Special guest Dorothy Koomson
Special guest Richard Osman

Sunday 21 July A total of 3 events including:
Erin Kelly and Jane Casey in conversation
Special guest Elly Griffiths