29
Jan
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh among headline names at Harrogate festival
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Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh is among the headline names for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate.
Harrogate International Festivals, which organises the event, today revealed details of special guests for this year's gathering, which takes place from July 17 to 20 at
Lee and Andrew Child, Attica Locke, Kate Atkinson, Paula Hawkins, Kate Mosse, Steph McGovern, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham will also feature in a programme curated by 2025 festival chair Mick Herron.
Now in its 22nd year, the festival brings world famous authors in the crime fiction genre to the Old Swan Hotel each year for panel debates, talks and workshops.
In his festival debut, international bestseller Welsh will talk about Resolution, the final instalment in his crime trilogy that is now a TV series starring Dougray Scott.
Bestselling writing duo Lee and Andrew Child will discuss their latest Jack Reacher thriller In Too Deep - and preview Exit Strategy, the 30th Reacher novel ahead of its publication in November.
(clockwise, from top left: Mark Billingham (Pic: Steve Best), Val McDermid (Pic: Charlotte Graham), Lee Child (Pic: Sigrid Estrada) and Steph McGovern (Pic: Carolyn Mendelsohn)
Leading US crime writer and former New Blood discovery Attica Locke will talk about her topical novel Guide Me Home and Val McDermid will team up with TV presenter Steph McGovern, who will launch her debut Deadline at the festival.
Mick Herron described the special guests as “an incredible mixture of global bestsellers, familiar friends and writers” who “guarantee a weekend of thrills, wit and revelations”.
He added:
As ever, though, the festival will be made by those who attend it: our readers, who constitute the most well-informed and enthusiastic crowds any author could ask for and ensure that every event generates debate, and that the conversation continues long after the panels pack up.
Simon Theakston, chairman of Masham-based T&R Theakston Ltd, said:
Last year’s festival was the biggest and most successful ever, and 2025 looks set to top that as Mick Herron and the programming team have put together a truly exceptional line up of special guests.
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
We look forward to sharing the full programme very soon and can’t wait to welcome everyone to Harrogate in the summer.
More festival information is available here.
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