'Stories and storytellers' celebrated as programme revealed for Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival 2025

Harrogate International Festivals today revealed the full programme for the 2025 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, the globally renowned celebration of crime fiction, at a special reception at Hachette, Carmelite House in London.

The Festival, which takes place at Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel from 17-20 July, has been curated by 2025’s Programming Chair and bestselling author of the ‘Slough House’ spy thrillers, Mick Herron, and offers readers from around the world a unique opportunity to meet the superstar writers of today, discover the bestsellers of tomorrow and hear from innovators pushing the boundaries of the genre. From dark domestic noir to murder in far galaxies; from twisty missing persons investigations to the tangled webs of spies; from high-stake legal thrillers to gritty crime scene investigations, there is plenty to enthral and entertain at this year’s Festival.

Photo credit: Mike Whorley

Acclaimed writers Reverend Richard Coles, Belinda Bauer, AA Dhand, Abigail Dean, Nick Harkaway, Janice Hallett, Abir Mukherjee, Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall and others join Special Guest headliners Lee Child and Andrew Child, Steph McGovern, Attica Locke, Kate Atkinson, Paula Hawkins, Kate Mosse, Val McDermid, Mark Billingham – and, making his Festival debut, Irvine Welsh – on the packed programme. Highlights include the prestigious Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award ceremony, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the hugely popular Slow Horses TV series with Mick Herron and Emmy award-winning showrunner Will Smith.

Celebrating the Festival’s mission to champion emerging talent, the Critics’ New Blood panel platforms four extraordinary debut novelists R.S. Burnett, A.E. Goldin, Daniel Aubrey and Kate Kemp selected by a panel of leading crime fiction critics; while four of New Blood’s most accomplished alumni, Fiona Cummins, Chris Hammer, Abir Mukherjee and Stuart Neville return for a special showcase event. For aspiring writers, Creative Thursday offers an immersive day of workshops and talks led by industry experts and authors including Vaseem Khan, Will Dean and Laura Shepherd-Robinson.

A Festival for all crime fiction readers, the iconic Late Night Quiz compèred by Val McDermid and Mark Billingham, and two murder mystery Author Dinners hosted by Ajay Chowdhury, Will Dean, C.L. Taylor, Chris Brookmyre, William Hussey, Emma Christie, Xaviere Musih Tedji, A.J. West and others, offer unmissable opportunities for fans to engage with authors at relaxed evening events.

Mick Herron, bestselling author and 2025 Festival Programming Chair said:

“The first committee meeting for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2025 took place the day before the 2024 Festival began, so it’s been in the planning for a year and a day – a suitably storybook length of time. Because it's stories that we're celebrating – stories and storytellers – we’re looking forward to another long weekend of criminal inquiries, forensic examinations and manifold ways of laying bare the human heart without shedding a drop of blood. Or so we hope... The line-up is as varied as ever, and there are enough tales waiting to be told to fill a thousand and one nights. We don't guarantee fairytale endings, but we do promise the very best in crime writing.”

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said: “We are delighted to support the world’s biggest and best crime writing Festival for an incredible twenty-second year and to welcome so many legends of the genre and exciting debut writers once again. It has been remarkable to see the Festival transform into a truly international event over the years, with authors and fans travelling from far and wide to become part of our global crime fiction community here in Harrogate. I eagerly look forward to what promises to be another unforgettable Festival this July.’

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “I am thrilled to reveal the full programme for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, curated by Mick Herron and the Programming Committee. With over 120 writers taking part and a fantastic mix of crime writing icons and talented new discoveries, behind-the-scenes exclusives, innovative panels and fun-filled evening events, there really is so much for every crime fiction and thriller fan to enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Harrogate again this summer.”

Tickets for individual events are on general sale from Tuesday 8 April. Classic Weekend Break Packages, Author Dinners and tickets for Creative Thursday are on sale now.

To book tickets, please call 01423 562 303 or email info@harrogate-festival.org.uk. More information about tickets and packages can be found here.