The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival official programme is here! I have been attending the festival since 2021 and have to say it’s another great line up.
Unsure what to see? Here are some of my personal top picks. You honestly can’t go wrong with any of the panels, so if you’ve got a rover ticket then you’re in for a treat.
Special Guests: Nadine Matheson and Steve Cavanagh. Friday 9 am
As well as being great thriller authors, both Matheson and Cavanagh are former lawyers, so this should be a really interesting discussion! I really enjoyed Matheson’s The Jigsaw Man and Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series is brilliant, you can find my review of the latest, Two Kinds of a Stranger, here.
Can’t Get You Out of My Head. Friday 2 pm
This is a strong line up and I adored Murray’s Dissection of a Murder [read my review here.]
Man About the House. Friday 3:30pm
This. Line. Up! Not to be missed. Here are my reviews of the recent books from: C.M. Ewan’s Eye Spy review, T. M. Logan’s The Weekend review and John Marr’s Dead in the Water review. This panel will be moderated by this year’s festival chair, Lisa Jewell.
What Happened to all the Serial Killers? Saturday 10:30 am
I have seen panels before where advancing technology is discussed and how to write around it or include it is always really interesting!
A Way with Words. Saturday 2 pm
Another incredible panel line up here. Ashkanani’s The Midnight King [my review] was one of my favourite books of last year and I’m sure The Hollow Boys [my review] will stick as one of my faves of this!
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me. Saturday 3:30 pm
Again, what a line up! I have read and enjoyed Nugent and Lapena’s books but it’s incredibly exciting to see some of my favourite debuts of 2025, Bridges and Kazumi on this panel too. Want to know more about their books? Read my reviews of Sick to Death and The Death Bed by Chris Bridges or Cuckoo and Greedy by Callie Kazumi.
Ann Cleeves & Brenda Blethyn. Sunday 12 pm
I saw both in discussion at Iceland Noir and it was honestly such a joyful talk!
Half Swift Stage
New for 2026, this is a smaller stage offering 30 minute talks. These require a separate ticket, not included in any Rover passes.
Truth, Lies and Alibis. Friday 10 am
Harriet Tyce and Anna Mazzola, chaired by C. B. Everett, take part in a fast, fun game of secrets and deception.
The First Crime is the Hardest. Saturday 3 pm
Rebecca Phillipson will be in conversation with Val McDermid about her debut How to Get Away with Murder. I loved this one and you can read my review here.
Local Recommendations
I live in Harrogate so if you are new to the festival and town then here are some of my favourite independent places:
Breakfast/Lunch: Thug Sandwich Co. does the best sarnies. Go for the Reuben or smash burger! Would also recommend Quirky Farm Bistro.
Food: Paradise Tap & Taco for Mexican and Jaritos, Spice Culture for curry and Pizza Social for pizza.
Drinks: Husk, North Bar, The Little Ale House, Harrogate Tap, Hales Bar, Major Tom’s and Starling.
Cocktails: Over & Above for a top 50 cocktail bar with a hidden bookcase entrance.
Bookshops: Imagined Things in Harrogate and Criminally Good Books in York.
Thinking of attending? Classic Rover tickets on sale the 21st April. Individual Events and Site Passes on sale the 15th May.
Beth Reads Crime 
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