Crime fiction icon Lee Child has been confirmed as a headline guest at the final CrimeFest convention, set to take place in Bristol from May 15 to 18. The announcement comes as organisers prepare to mark the end of the event’s 16-year run with a memorable farewell.
CrimeFest, one of the UK’s leading crime fiction conventions, has attracted top authors and industry figures since its inception in 2008. The final edition will feature an unprecedented gathering of Diamond Dagger recipients, including Peter Lovesey, Simon Brett, Lindsey Davis, Martin Edwards, and John Harvey. The sons of the late John le Carré and Dick Francis—Simon Cornwell and Nick Harkaway, and Felix Francis, respectively—will also participate in tribute to their fathers’ literary legacies.
Co-host Adrian Muller said: “Lee Child, alongside American author Jeffery Deaver, has played a very special role in our history. Both were special guests at our very first CrimeFest, they were there for our fifth anniversary, and for our tenth anniversary. Jeffery has prior commitments; however, we’re working on him participating in CrimeFest remotely, and we’re thrilled Lee will be there in person to help celebrate our final year.”
Child, known for his Jack Reacher series, will attend with his brother and co-writer Andrew Child, who has taken over writing the series. Reflecting on the festival, Lee Child said: “Sadly, all good things come to an end – and Adrian Muller’s Bristol CrimeFest is one of the very best things ever. It is a warm, friendly, relaxed, and inclusive festival, hugely enjoyable for authors and readers alike. Myles, Liz, Donna and Adrian, their team of volunteers – and Dame Mary from Specsavers – have my sincere thanks for many delightful weekends over the years.”
The convention will also welcome Yrsa Sigurdardottir, dubbed the Queen of Nordic thrillers, and award-winning author Barbara Nadel, whose Inspector Cetin Ikmen series was adapted for TV as The Turkish Detective and aired on BBC2 in June 2024. Nadel’s latest Cetin Ikmen novel, The Wooden Library, is set for release in May, while her new Hakim and Arnold title, The East Ham Golem, will be available from February.
Author and chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, Vaseem Khan, will act as Toastmaster for the CrimeFest Awards night, while Cathy Ace will close the Gala Dinner event. Ace’s Cait Morgan Mysteries have been optioned for TV by Free@Last TV, the production company behind Agatha Raisin.
CrimeFest was originally established following the successful visit of the American Left Coast Crime convention to Bristol in 2006 and has since provided a platform for both established and emerging authors. Unlike other crime fiction festivals, any commercially published author can feature on a panel.
Co-host Donna Moore said: “We’re proud to be a unique and perhaps the most democratic crime fiction event in the UK. 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.”
CrimeFest will continue its Community Outreach Programme, partnering with Max Minerva’s Bookshop and publishers to donate thousands of pounds worth of crime fiction books to school libraries. Thanks to support from Specsavers, discounted tickets will be available for librarians, students, and those on benefits.
For more information or to book a delegate spot, visit here.