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Jul 2025

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The curtain came down on the four-day Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate yesterday (July 20).
Almost 20,000 tickets were sold for what is the biggest event organised each year by the arts charity Harrogate International Festivals.
The event has established itself as the world’s longest-running and most prestigious celebration of crime writing.
Many of the leading names in the genre gathered at the Old Swan, where Agatha Christie famously disappeared to in 1926. Next year’s event will mark 100 years since that happened.
This year’s festival line-up included Lee and Andrew Child, Irvine Welsh, Attica Locke, Kate Atkinson, Paula Hawkins, Kate Mosse, Steph McGovern, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham.
Hunted by Abir Mukherjee was named crime novel of the year on the opening night.
Here are some photos taken over the weekend.

Andrew Child (left) and Lee Child. Pic: Richard Maude

Steph McGovern (right) and Val McDermid at this year's festival. Pic: Gerard Binks

Pic: Richard Maude

Irvine Welsh (left) and Abir Mukherjee

Pic: Gerard Binks

Festival visitors enjoy the sun. Pic: Gerard Binks

Mick Herron (left) and Mark Billingham. Pic: Richard Maude

Abir Mukherjee (right) receives the crime novel of the year award from Simon Theakston

Pic: Richard Maude

Mick Herron, Saskia-Reeves and Will-Smith. Pic: Richard-Maude

Attica Locke has a photo with a fan. Pic: Gerard Binks
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