Below is our provisional programme for 2021's event. Given the number of variables at play right now, it is subject to change. Nearer the time, you can buy tickets for individual talks by following the link beneath each item below. If you wish to buy a day or weekend pass, please visit the Tickets & Contact page.
Friday 25th June 2021
4.30 to 5.30pm: Families and their bloody secrets – Lucy Dawson, Caroline Green & Amanda Jennings.Lucy, Caroline and Amanda discuss crime writing which focuses on the family unit – and the lasting effects of buried secrets and past traumas. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
6pm to 7.00pm: The Mindful Detective – Laurence Anholt introduces his new Lyme Regis-based crime series, described as 'Fargo meets Broadchurch'. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
7.30pm to 8.30pm: How far would you go to research your crime novel? Mark Edwards and Ed James discuss a recent research trip to the Pacific Northwest, which saw them fly to Seattle, get lost in Oregon and nearly run off the road on Interstate 5 – all in search of authentic detail. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
Saturday 26th June 2021
10am to 11am: Angela Gallop, the UK's leading forensic scientist, discusses her involvement in the country's most notorious cases, including the Roberto Calvi, Damilola Taylor, Rachel Nickell and Stephen Lawrence murders. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
11.30am to 12.30pm: Mark Edwards and C.L.Taylor in conversation. Psychological thriller authors C.L. Taylor and Mark Edwards have both written books described as 'extraordinary things happening to ordinary people'. They discuss what inspires them, how they write, what makes a great psychological thriller and the challenges and highlights of their careers. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
1.30pm to 2.30pm: 50 Shades of Noir – polar opposites Neil Broadfoot and Derek Farrell discuss bonding over a shared love of crime and wine. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
3pm to 4pm – Katerina Diamond and Jenny Blackhurst in conversation. Kat and Jenny discuss the recent wave of true crime shows and podcasts, how fiction writers draw on real life cases, and why we are all so obsessed with murder. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
4.30pm to 5.30pm: Erin Kelly discusses her latest novel. We Know You Know (previously published as Stone Mothers) is about a Victorian mental hospital which has been converted to luxury flats, but for Marianne, who grew up in its shadow, it still holds its secrets. Erin will talk about bringing the old hospital to life, how to write contemporary Gothic fiction, and why the story was inspired by a student night out and a bad Tinder date. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
6pm to 7pm: Alex Marwood in conversation with Alex North. A poisoned garden can grow some very frightening flowers. International bestsellers Alex Marwood and Alex North discuss the darkness of human nature, the making of monsters, and the importance of recognising the victim in creating truly memorable crime fiction. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
7.30pm to 9.30pm: Noir at the Barat a local pub. FREE EVENT
Sunday 27th June
10am to 11am: Sarah Hilary in conversation with Luke Jennings. Killing Eve started life as a series of self-published novellas with an avid audience of devoted fans, before becoming one of the biggest TV hits of the last two years. Sarah Hilary quizzes Luke Jennings on what drove him to create a female-centred thriller that shook up the genre. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
11.30am to 12.30pm: Train Noir with Mason Cross and Susi Holliday. Mason and Susi discuss their most recent novels, both of which are set on trains. They will talk about the journeys that inspired them and how this particular form of travel lends atmosphere, momentum and claustrophobia to a thriller. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
1.30pm to 2.30pm: Mick Herron in conversation with Jason Goodwin. Even at a time when the Cold War seems to be juddering back into life, not all threats to democracy come from outside. Mick talks to Jason about 'the enemy within' and other ideas at the heart of his spy novels – a series which has prompted Val McDermid to call him 'the John le Carré of his generation'. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT
3pm to 4pm: Room 101 - Mason Cross, Katerina Diamond and Susi Holliday debate what they'd like to bin from the writing process, the world of crime fiction, and life in general. BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT