PRESS RELEASE 15 April 2005

Now in it’s third thrilling year, the Theakston’s Old Peculier Harrogate Crime Writing Festival is already the largest crime writing event in Europe and attracts writers and enthusiasts from all over the world. Taking place from Thurs 21^st – Sun 24^th July, the four days include back to back events including best-selling authors in conversation, forensic and true crime specialists, panel games and late night cabaret.

Authors confirmed for this year include Guest of Honour, Ruth Rendell who will be in conversation with Vivian White. US Guest of Honour is Michael Connelly who will be discussing his characters and crime fiction with BBC Radio 4 Front Row presenter and Arts Journalist, Mark Lawson.

Other events feature an audience with Anthony Horowitz, and Reginald Hill will be in conversation with Natasha Cooper. Panel discussions this year include subjects as diverse as Humour in Crime, and the Return of the Conspiracy Novel. Why do Carers Kill? is a fascinating insight presented by Professor Robert Forrest. For the festival finale a panel of real life forensics experts take a wry look at where some crime writers went wrong. Add to this a host of other leading names in crime fiction Stella Duffy, Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Alexander McCall Smith, Stuart Pawson and Tom Bradby. And you have the ingredients for the perfect criminal weekend.

The 2005 Theakston’s Old Peculier Harrogate Crime Writing Festival also sees the announcement of the winner of the first literary award of its kind to be voted for by readers. The Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year long list was announced earlier this month, there are details about the 20 novels and how to vote on the website www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime Voting for the long list closes on 31^st May and reopens with a shortlist of 6 on 13^th June, with the winner being announced at the opening celebrations of the Festival on Thursday 21^st July at 8pm, hosted by Jenni Murray.

The Theakston’s Old Peculier Harrogate Crime Writing Festival takes place at the Cedar Court Hotel Harrogate from 21 – 24 July 2005. Tickets are available for individual events or day / weekend passes from 01423 537230. For Accommodation and Weekend Rover ticket packages call 01423 562303.

For press information please contact

Lizzie Forbes-Ritte, Press and PR / Tel: 01423 562303 / Email: lizzie@harrogate-festival.org.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Theakston’s Old Peculier Prize for the Crime Novel of the Year 2005 key dates:

v Friday 1 April: Long list of 20 announced and voting opens in Ottakar’s stores nationwide and online at www.ottakars.co.uk

v Tuesday 31 May: Voting on long list closes

v Monday 13 June: Shortlist of 6 announced and voting opens in Ottakar’s stores and website

v Friday 15 July: Voting on shortlist closes

v Thursday 21 July: Winner announced at award’s ceremony on Festival’s opening night

Theakston’s Old Peculier

T&R Theakston was established in Masham, North Yorkshire in 1827 by Robert Theakston. Throughout its 176 year history the company has prided itself on brewing a range of fine quality ales that have reaped many awards and accolades. In the 1980s the company was acquired by Scottish & Newcastle plc.

Bought back by the Theakston family in Autumn 2003, principal directors in the new business are Executive Directors Simon Theakston and Collin Wood. Under the guidance of the Theakston family the business will be nurtured as a business committed to the traditional values of quality customer service, brewing excellence and community commitment.

Ottakar's is the second largest specialist bookseller in the UK, with over 130 stores nationwide. Ottakar's was founded in 1987 by James Heneage, still Managing Director, and it was voted Bookselling Company of the Year in both 2003 and 2004.

The Theakston’s Old Peculier Harrogate Crime Writing Festival is a celebration of the best in crime fiction. It is promoted by the north of England’s leading arts festival, Harrogate International Festival which was founded in 1966. Set in the attractive floral spa resort at the gateway to the North Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate is forever known as the town where the great crime novelist Agatha Christie disappeared and Sherlock Holmes’ creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle regularly visited.