Nine murders. One seemingly impossible disappearance. Nineteen burglaries. An adrenalin-fuelled car chase and an impressively grand theft. Plenty of domestic drama. A taste of pie-based controversy. Not a bad tally so far for May’s crime spree on CFL… but can you do any better?

Before anyone calls the police, we should clarify: the only thing being committed this June is a serious amount of reading. The annual National Crime Reading Month returns with a nationwide invitation to indulge in fictional felonies, shadowy suspects and the occasional perfectly executed locked-room puzzle.

Organised by the Crime Writers’ Association in partnership with the literacy charity The Reading Agency, the month-long celebration encourages readers around the UK to dive into the endlessly varied world of crime fiction. From cosy village mysteries to gritty urban thrillers, psychological suspense to historical whodunnits, the genre’s broad appeal means there’s always another mystery waiting to be solved.

This year’s celebration promises to be the biggest yet, coinciding with the UK government’s National Year of Reading initiative. Expect author talks, library events, workshops and book groups popping up across the country throughout June, alongside online sessions for armchair detectives who prefer to investigate from home.

Among the ambassadors helping to spread the criminally good word are bestselling authors Steve Cavanagh, Vaseem Khan, Robin Stevens, Victoria Selman and Penny Batchelor. The aim is simple: tempt lifelong crime fans and curious newcomers alike to pick up a page-turner.

And if you need an excuse, the statistics make a persuasive case. Research by The Reading Agency suggests that regular readers report higher levels of happiness, relaxation and community connection than non-readers. In other words, reading crime might actually be good for you.

The festivities begin with a launch event in York on 30 May, while London-based fans can catch a related panel at Capital Crime on 20 June. But wherever you are, the invitation stands, including to the online launch on 7 June.

So sharpen your deductive skills, clear some space on the bedside table and prepare to rack up an impressive crime tally of your own. Just remember: the only fingerprints you should leave behind are on the pages.