Where To Find The Big Read Tour 2025 And Get A Free Murder Mystery Book

Ever finished a brilliant book and had absolutely no one to talk to about that massive plot twist at the end? It’s the worst, isn’t it? Well, for anyone who loves a good page-turner, especially a gripping crime story, there’s some fantastic news. The North of England’s biggest book club is hitting the road, and it’s completely free to join. The amazing people at Harrogate International Festivals have announced that The Big Read is going on tour across Yorkshire and the North of England, bringing people together over a shared love of crime fiction. And the best bit? There are free books involved.

What’s the big deal with The Big Read?

So, what is The Big Read all about? Think of it as a massive, travelling book club designed to get more people reading and talking about books. For 22 years, this initiative, which is part of the legendary Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, has been connecting communities and supporting local libraries. It’s a simple but brilliant idea: pick one fantastic book, give copies away for free, and host a bunch of events where everyone can chat about it. It's actually a pretty important project. Apparently, one in six adults in England has a reading level similar to that of a primary school leaver. The Big Read tackles this head-on by using the UK’s most popular genre – crime fiction. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good mystery? Whether it’s on the telly or in a book, there’s something about solving a puzzle that gets everyone hooked. By choosing a cracking crime story, the festival hopes to encourage both seasoned readers and those new to reading to pick up a book and get involved in some lively discussions. These events create a friendly space for people to share ideas and make new friends.

This year's book: The Potting Shed Murder

The book chosen for this year’s tour is ‘The Potting Shed Murder’ by Paula Sutton. Forget dark, gritty thrillers for a moment. This is what you’d call a ‘cosy’ murder mystery. Imagine a lovely countryside village that looks perfect on the outside—you know, quaint cottages, blooming gardens, and all that. But underneath the surface, it’s bubbling with secrets, long-held grudges, and, of course, a murder. ‘The Potting Shed Murder’ promises to be a warm and funny read, perfect for anyone who loves a character-driven story with plenty of twists to keep them guessing. It’s the kind of book you can curl up with on a rainy afternoon. And thanks to The Big Read, anyone can grab a free copy from one of the participating libraries. So, there's no excuse not to join in and see if you can solve the crime before the final chapter. Paula Sutton has crafted a truly engaging mystery that is sure to get readers talking.

Your guide for the literary tour

Leading the discussions at these free library events will be the festival's Reader-in-Residence, Luca Veste. Now, this isn't his first rodeo. Luca is a bestselling crime novelist himself, so he knows a thing or two about what makes a good murder mystery tick. His job is to host the events, get the conversation flowing, and make sure everyone feels welcome to share their thoughts on ‘The Potting Shed Murder’, whether they loved it, hated it, or figured out the killer on page three. The whole point of this book club tour is to create a relaxed atmosphere. It's not a stuffy literary lecture; it’s a chat among friends. Luca Veste is genuinely excited about the tour.

‘By taking The Big Read on tour across the North, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is creating a welcoming and accessible space where everyone is encouraged to come and share their thoughts about ‘The Potting Shed Murder. I'm really looking forward to meeting readers and chatting to them about this wonderful, character-driven, twisty murder mystery.’

Why a crime fiction festival is for everyone

The Big Read is an extension of the hugely popular Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, an event that takes over Harrogate every July. It’s the biggest festival of its kind in the world, attracting top authors and readers from all over. The festival is supported by T & R Theakston Ltd, the Masham-based brewers of the famous Theakston beer. Their long-standing support has helped Harrogate International Festivals bring world-class arts and literature events to Yorkshire.

Sharon Canavar, the Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, summed it up perfectly.

“The Big Read is a great opportunity for people in our local community and beyond to connect through a shared love of crime fiction. Books and reading can really boost our wellbeing, and we’d like to encourage as many people as possible to read Paula Sutton’s entertaining whodunnit ‘The Potting Shed Murder,’ and take part in the free library events this month or join in the discussion online and become part of the North’s biggest book club.”

All the dates and places for the tour

Ready to get involved? The tour is stopping at libraries across the North of England from Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th September 2025. Here is the full schedule for the events:

Date	Time	Location
Monday 22 September 2025	10.00am	Hazel Grove Library, Beech Ave, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 4QP, United Kingdom
Monday 22 September 2025	1.30pm	Central Library, Sheffield
Monday 22 September 2025	4.00pm	Wath Library and Neighbourhood Hub, 21 Montgomery Rd, Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 7RZ, United Kingdom
Tuesday 23 September 2025	10.30am	Knaresborough Library, Jockey Ln, Knaresborough HG5 0HB, United Kingdom
Tuesday 23 September 2025	1.15pm	Harrogate Library, Victoria Ave, Harrogate HG1 1EG, United Kingdom
Tuesday 23 September 2025	4.00pm	Acomb Explore Library, Front St, Acomb, York YO24 3BZ, United Kingdom
Wednesday 24 September 2025	9.30am	Cramlington Library, Hub at, Forum Way, Cramlington NE23 6YB, Northumberland, United Kingdom
Wednesday 24 September 2025	1.00pm	Seaton Carew Community Hub, Station Ln, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool TS25 1BN, United Kingdom