Special Guests Announced for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2024

By Sarah Morgan, February 2024

The nights are getting shorter, the weather is (hopefully) taking a slight turn for the better and Easter is on the horizon…

For crime fiction fans, that can only mean one thing – the announcement of who will be appearing at this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

Now in its 21st year, the event takes place annually at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, where Agatha Christie stayed during her notorious disappearance in 1926. The biggest and bestselling names in the genre have made their way there in the past, and 2024 promises to be the same.

“I’m so proud of the incredible roster of special guests appearing at this year’s festival – together they showcase the strength, breadth and sheer excellence of the crime-writing landscape,” says author Ruth Ware, this year’s Festival Programming Chair. “Harrogate has always been a festival with readers at its very heart, and there really is something for everyone in this glorious celebration of our brilliant and bloody genre.”

Richard Osman
image: Conor O’Leary

“Thrilling programme”

Among the headliners is TV executive-turned-presenter-turned-writer Richard Osman. No doubt he’ll be revealing what happens next for the pensioners at the heart of his blockbusting Thursday Murder Club novels, but will also be spilling the beans about We Solve Murders, the first in a proposed new series of tales which is due to hit book shops everywhere in September.

“I can’t wait for readers to meet these new characters,” claims Osman. “I can promise lots of laughs, lots of tears and, of course, lots of murders.”

Other big names heading for Harrogate include Chris Carter, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths, Erin Kelly, Vaseem Khan, Dorothy Koomson, Shari Lapena, Abir Mukherjee and Liz Nugent.

“Ruth has curated a thrilling programme with every crime fiction reader at its heart,” states Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals. “We look forward to sharing the full programme in the coming months and cannot wait to welcome everyone to the festival in the summer – whether it’s your first time or your twenty-first!”

For more information, including details on how to book tickets, check out: harrogateinternationalfestivals.com