• Simon Theakston with Lee Child and Sharon Canavar

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is regarded as the world’s best, achieving international acclaim for the programming, organisation and inclusive atmosphere. Over the years, it has hosted iconic names such as PD James, Jo Nesbo and JK Rowling (as Robert Galbraith).

Lee Child said: “It’s a challenge to follow in the footsteps of authors such as Peter James, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves as previous Programming Chairs, but I guarantee I’ll be bringing some very special names to 2018’s Festival.”

“Harrogate is by far my favourite on the circuit, so it is a real honour – and a delight – to be taking the helm. My grandma lived in Otley so Harrogate is a place that has fond memories for me, and the Festival has a real warmth and laid back atmosphere. It’s a chance for readers and writers alike to hang out in a beautiful part of England. I’m looking forward to welcoming new and old friends.”

2017’s event sold out with 16,500 tickets over the four day festival. It is routinely cited as one of the UK’s top literary festivals. As well as over 90 authors, it attracts stars of stage and screen. Past events featured comedians Eddie Izzard, Susan Calman and Rory Bremner, actors Brenda Blethyn, Jodie Whittaker and Robson Green, alongside media heavyweights James Naughtie, Mark Lawson, and Jeremy Vine.

Lee Child, who resides in New York, launched his new Reacher thriller, The Midnight Line, on November 7 in the UK. It sees his iconic 6ft 5 inch hero on a quest for justice in the wilds of Wyoming. His last book, Night School, was the UK’s biggest selling hardback novel of 2016.

With over 100 million books sold, it is said a Reacher novel is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. As well as being published in over one hundred territories, the novels have been adapted to two Hollywood films starring Tom Cruise.

Lee Child won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award in 2011 and received the Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award in 2017, joining the pantheon of Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, PD James, Reginald Hill, Lynda La Plante, Sara Paretsky and Val McDermid, who have received the honour.

Title sponsor and executive director of T&R Theakston, Simon Theakston, said: “Lee Child is nothing short of a phenomenon, and as a regular Special Guest at our festival, it’s wonderful that he’s now our next Programming Chair. He is an inspiration to his fellow writers, but most importantly a hero to his millions of readers. No doubt, he will make 2018 a very special year indeed.”

Sharon Canavar, CEO of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “It’s hard to top the success of the festival year-on-year, but with Lee as Chair it really electrifies the programme. He is a huge advocator and supporter of the genre.”

Weekend Break Packages

The next ten people to book a Weekend Break Package for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2018 will also bag themselves a copy of The Midnight Line, Lee Child’s brand new Jack Reacher novel, published on November 7th. Call the Box Office from 11am on Monday to discuss your requirements and make your booking – 01423 562 303

Praised as ‘compulsively readable’ and ‘a gripping new powerhouse thriller’ The Midnight Line takes Reacher on a harrowing journey through the upper Midwest and Wyoming wilderness. The deeper Reacher digs, and the more he learns, the more dangerous the terrain becomes.

Find out more about our Weekend Break Packages that include three night’s accommodation in Harrogate and a Weekend Rover ticket to the festival.

TOPCWF 2024 | Ticket Information

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival returns to the Old Swan Hotel on Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 July 2024! For one

Special Guests | 21-24 July

Classic Weekend Rover | 21-24 July 2022