Books / crime fiction
Jack Reacher authors and crime fiction fans rally for the 16th and last ever ‘CrimeFest’
Over the course of 15 previous editions, the annual CrimeFest convention has welcomed novelists, editors, publishers and fans of the genre to Bristol for a weekend immersed in all things crime fiction.
However, event hosts Donna Moore and Adrian Muller have announced that 2025 will be the final event in the long-running series, which has hosted over 1,100 authors on its many literary panels over the years.
As well as presenting annual awards for crime fiction, non-fiction, TV and crime fiction for children and young adults, and providing an excellent networking opportunity for the community, the event has evolved some new initiatives in recent years.
is needed now More than ever
In partnership with Max Minerva’s and other independent publishers, CrimeFest have donated books to libraries across Bristol and beyond, organised local school and community projects, and raised thousands for their chosen charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
In 2021 they introduced a bursary for crime fiction authors of colour, which has so far been awarded to Saima Mir, Elizabeth Chakrabarty and Christie Newport – and for 2025, the newly announced recipient will be DG Coutinho.
The final convention will take place on May 15-18 at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel. The ‘ghost of honour’ will be John Le Carré, who will be represented by his sons, Nick Harkaway (himself a celebrated novelist) and film and TV producer Simon Cornwell (The Night Manager).
Also leading the guest lineup will be multi-bestselling author, Lee Child, whose Jack Reacher novels have now sold over 100 million copies, and his younger brother Andrew, who took over the series in 2020.
Artwork: CrimeFest
Icelandic author and ‘Queen of the Nordic thrillers’ Yrsa Sigurdardottir, and Cathy Ace, author of the award-winning Cait Morgan Mysteries (soon to be adapted for TV, with Eve Myles in the lead role), are confirmed to appear.
And Steve Mosby, who writes under the name Alex North, will be participating; his New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller The Whisper Man is being adapted into a Netflix series starring Robert de Niro.
A dizzying array of panels will be programmed across the weekend, offering insight and advice in anything from spy fiction to the uncanny; moral dilemmas to character development, page turners to plot twists, and everything in between.
Amongst the most anticipated features of the event, the last ever CrimeFest awards dinner (ticketed) will be prefaced by a pre-gala dinner reception, to which all delegates are warmly welcomed.
“We’re proud to be a unique and perhaps the most democratic crime fiction event in the UK,” says Moore. “Readers have discovered and met writers they otherwise may never have heard of.
“All delegates – be they authors, readers, from the book trade, or aspiring writers – come together as equals to celebrate the genre they love. We very much appreciate the talent and ongoing support of much-loved regulars, along with first-time attendees.”
To mark the end of an era, organisers have compiled a new anthology, CrimeFest: Leaving the Scene (published by No Exit Press), with proceeds from the sale set to go to the Royal National Institute of Blind (RNIB) library.
Contributing authors include many who have had a close relationship with CrimeFest over the years – among them Jeffrey Deaver, Lindsey Davis, Simon Brett and Cathy Ace.
Photo: No Exit Press
CrimeFest is at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel on May 15-18. For programme information, a full author and delegate list and tickets, visit www.crimefest.com.
CrimeFest: Leaving the Scene will be available for general sale on August 28, with an early copy exclusively gifted to each of the first 450 registered Full Pass Holders at the final CrimeFest.
Main photo: Tasha Alexander (Lee and Andrew Child)
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