Before The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival made the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate its home, the place was famous for another reason: It was where Agatha Christie retreated to in December 1926, reeling from the double blow of the death of her mother and the discovery of her husband Archie’s infidelity.
So 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Christie’s disappearance and the perfect chance for it to be commemorated at an event decribed as the world’s largest celebration of crime fiction. But just like in 1926, the author remained pretty much in hiding, barring the From Poirot to Podcasts panel on Friday which explored Christie’s lasting influence.
Festival Chair Lisa Jewell, author of Then She was Gone and other thrillers, pulled together writers from a wide range of crime fiction sub-genres in a packed programme that contained both in-depth sessions alongside newly-introduced bite-sized offerings. It proved to be a winning combination, for the event which took place from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 July 2026
The festival opened in style on Thursday night with the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards – a chance to celebrate the best of the best within the genre. T&R Theakston chairman Simon Theakston revealed that more than 20,000 tickets had been sold this year – a record number. Then it was on to the presentations themselves, with Crime Fiction Lover favourite Elly Griffiths taking Crime Novel of the Year for The Frozen People – her first win after eight appearances on the award shortlist.
Frances Crawford won the McDermid Debut Award for A Bad, Bad Place and David Baldacci received the Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction – with John Grisham on the big screen paying tribute to his good friend and fellow legal thriller writer. Afterwards, the winners were celebrated by festival goers, who enjoyed a free drink to toast the winners in the Drinking Detective Tent on a hot evening.
Friday dawned warm and sunny, and early birds were rewarded with an entertaining panel featuring former lawyers Steve Cavanagh and Nadine Matheson discussing the legal thriller. Suddenly, things were off at rapid pace; the usual Theakston Stage panels and guest conversations interspersed with 30-minute sessions on the cleverly named Swift Half Stage.
These mini events were just £5 and excellent value, featuring such tasty combinations as Doug Johnstone and Chris Brookmyre; Val McDermid and Rebecca Philipson; Mick Herron and David McCloskey; MJ Arlidge and Chris Chibnall; and Claire McGowan and Kia Abdullah. A note to the organisers, though – the benches provided were mighty uncomfortable!
It was great to see Aussie crime represented, with Jane Harper and Garry Disher in attendance this year. Both had plenty of interesting things to say on their respective panels – but maybe a conversation between the two might have been a better idea? Talking of conversations, my two festival highlights were British crime writing phenomenon Anthony Horowitz interviewed by Matthew Stadlen, and the final event of the whole weekend – Ann Cleeves and Vera actress Brenda Blethyn, moderated by Steph McGovern. I wasn’t alone in this – both of them played out to packed houses.
The Critics’ New Blood panel is always a must, and this year it featured the debut novels of Leodora Darlington (The Exes), Anna Maloney’s the 10:12, A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by MK Oliver and Mel Pennant’s A Murder for Miss Hortense. Add to the TBR list immediately!
So the 23rd iteration of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival was one to remember, and as I desperately try to close a suitcase full of proofs I reflect on another celebration of the best genre in the world and think of chats, chance encounters, endless queues… oh and a robber with a dead seagull, and an impromptu Irish dancing demo — you had to be there!
And if this has whetted your whistle, make a date in the diary for 22-25 July, 2027.
