It was the best fun to be a part of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2021. After all face to face events were cancelled in 2020 it was so great to reconnect with my crime writing pals and with all the brilliant readers and bloggers that I haven’t seen in what seems like forever.

Programming Chair, Ian Rankin, along with Sharon Canavar and all at Harrogate International Festivals and the team at the Old Swan Hotel did a totally awesome job – making a friendly, fun and fresh-air filled programme with the most wonderful festival atmosphere.

The panel I was on took place on Friday morning where, guided by our excellent moderator Charles Cumming, Holly Watt, AA Dhand, Simon Kernick and myself talked about Gung-Ho Action Heroes and the fun and challenges of thriller writing. I was pretty nervous beforehand – the Harrogate tented auditorium was massive! – but as soon as we started talking the nerves melted away. It was so much fun.

As well as catching up with old friends and new, I took at trip to the brilliant independent bookstore – Imagined Things – in the centre of Harrogate and signed a few books. It’s a lovely shop, staffed by fabulous people, and I strongly recommend a visit at any time of the year.

If you love crime fiction, and you didn’t get to the festival this year, be sure to put next year’s date in your diary: 21-24 July 2022. It’d be great to see you there.