Crime fiction fans, get ready—Harrogate is calling. If you’re the kind of person who always has a thriller on the go or loves guessing whodunnit before the detective does, then the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is basically your Glastonbury. And this year’s line-up? It’s massive.
Taking place from 17–20 July 2025 at the charming (and rather famous in crime fiction circles) Old Swan Hotel, the festival promises four days packed with big-name authors, twisty tales, and brilliant book chat. Whether you’re into gritty police procedurals, locked-room mysteries, or spy thrillers, there’s something here with your name on it.
Let’s break it down.
What makes this festival such a big deal?
First up, it’s the world’s biggest celebration of crime writing. Think about that. The entire world. And it’s not just for people who read crime novels—it’s for anyone who’s ever been gripped by a Netflix true crime doc or argued over a plot twist in a book club.
Every year, the festival turns Harrogate into a hub of intrigue, banter, and bookish brilliance. Imagine sitting in a room with the author of your favourite thriller, hearing what inspired that jaw-dropping twist. Or bumping into the next big thing in crime fiction before they hit the bestseller lists.
The line-up is stacked with legends and future stars
The 2025 programme has been put together by Mick Herron, the bestselling author behind the Slough House spy series. He’s known for clever plotting and dry wit, so expect a schedule that’s as sharp as it is entertaining.
Here are just some of the names on the bill:
Special Guests
- Lee Child & Andrew Child – yep, Jack Reacher himself (and his brother)
- Steph McGovern – journalist and broadcaster, bringing some real-world smarts
- Attica Locke – acclaimed for her powerful, socially aware thrillers
- Irvine Welsh – the edgy voice behind Trainspotting, now turning his eye to crime
- Kate Atkinson, Paula Hawkins, Kate Mosse, Val McDermid, and Mark Billingham – basically the Avengers of British fiction
More authors you’ll want to catch
- Reverend Richard Coles – yes, the priest, but also a crime novelist with a twist
- Belinda Bauer – master of suspenseful psychological thrillers
- AA Dhand – known for dark, gripping tales set in Bradford
- Abigail Dean, Nick Harkaway, Janice Hallett, Abir Mukherjee – a mix of award-winners and breakout voices
This isn’t just a who’s-who of current crime writing—it’s also a showcase of what’s next.
What types of crime stories are we talking about?
This year’s festival goes way beyond your typical detective novel. Here’s a quick taste of the genres and themes on offer:
- Domestic noir – think twisty secrets behind closed doors
- Sci-fi crime – yes, murder in outer space is a thing
- Spy thrillers – tangled politics, secret codes, and double lives
- Legal drama – high-stakes courtroom battles and moral grey areas
- Police procedurals – down-and-dirty investigations, usually with coffee and sarcasm
If it’s dark, twisty, or morally complicated, it’s probably in the programme.
When and how can you get tickets?
Mark your calendar, set your alarms, and maybe even recruit a friend to help—these tickets will go fast.
- Thursday 3 April (12pm): Early access for Friends of the Festival
- Tuesday 8 April (12pm): General ticket sales open
You can book tickets three ways:
Online
- Head to harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
- Log into ‘My Account’ before ticket sales start so you’re not scrambling
By phone
- Call 01423 562303 from 12pm (Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm)
In person
- Pop into the Box Office at 32 Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1DB from 12pm
What’s new for 2025?
Aside from the bumper line-up and four days of non-stop bookish brilliance, there’s another exciting update: a brand-new website. Sleeker, smarter, and easier to navigate, it’s your go-to for booking tickets and checking out all the other festivals under the Harrogate International Festivals banner.
Also, don’t forget to check out the HIF Player on the site—it’s packed with exclusive content, author interviews, and more. Ideal if you want to get hyped before July rolls around.
TL;DR – why you should go
If you love crime fiction, there’s no better place to be this summer. Here’s a quick checklist:
- 🕵️♀️ Meet your literary heroes (and discover some new favourites)
- 📚 Soak up talks, panels, signings, and bookish banter
- 🌳 Spend a weekend in the beautiful setting of Harrogate
- 🎟️ Tickets go on sale 8 April (or 3 April for Friends of the Festival)
- 💻 New website makes booking easier than ever
You don’t need a magnifying glass to see this is going to be huge. So clear your diary and grab your tickets—it’d honestly be a crime to miss it.
