After lying fallow for two years, CrimeFest in Bristol is back! Nearly 150 authors, appearing on 44 panels, will be gathering with crime readers at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, 12 – 15 May 2022.

As always, there is something for everyone. From cosy to thrillers; police procedurals to amateur sleuths. True to Crimefest’s American convention roots, with daily multiple strands, there are going to be times where it will be hard to choose which panel to go to. Some of the most popular panels return, such as a ‘Fresh Blood’ debut author panel and ‘Authors Remembered’. What’s more, after a standing-room-only event a few years ago, Steve Cavanagh returns to put on trial a true crime highlighted in a Netflix documentary, The Staircase. Joined by Imran Mahmood (acting as the prosecutor), overseeing the case is CWA board member Ayo Onatade. (Order! Order in the court room!) And the jury? The attending CrimeFest delegates.

This year’s interviewees are our Featured Guests, CWA Diamond Dagger recipient Ann Cleeves, Andrew Child (in his first UK appearance) and Gala Dinner Toastrix, Zoë Sharp.

With the pandemic prohibiting past Diamond Dagger winners from attending, it means we’re treated to a double bill, with recipients Martin Edwards and Robert Goddard being interviewed together. We even have our first Ghost of Honour: the late Dick Francis. First scheduled for his centenary in 2020, we welcome author Felix Francis to talk about his father with Andrew Hewson, Dick’s agent for many years. Participating interviewer is long-time friend and colleague, as well as fellow CWA member, Simon Brett.

The panels will feature many of your favourite CWA authors including Vaseem Khan, Antony Johnston, Fiona Veitch Smith, Robert Scragg, Leslie Scase, Victoria Dowd, Holly Watt, Paul Gitsham, Christine Poulson, Kate Ellis, Linda Stratmann and Leigh Russell, along with many others!

Other highlights will be the announcement of the CWA Dagger shortlists on Friday 13 May and a Gala Dinner on Saturday 14^th.

For the full line-up check out the PROGRAMME page on the CrimeFest website.