Psychological thriller writer Lisa Jewell has said it’s beyond her ‘wildest imaginings’ to be revealed as the programming chair for the world’s biggest and best-known celebration of crime writing. The bestselling author will take the reins of the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, supported by the Daily and Sunday Express, next July.

Star writers joining fans at the Old Swan Hotel, where Agatha Christie famously vanished in the winter of 1926, includes US writer David Baldacci, Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh and Alice Feeney. More headliners are due to be revealed in the New Year.

Jewell, author of 23 novels, most recently the dark psychological thrillers Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, None of This is True and Don’t Let Him In, said: “I have been bewitched by the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival for as long as I’ve been writing thrillers and my first visit more than lived up to my expectations. I’ve been every year since and grown more and more familiar with the special world that is created in Harrogate every July, so to be invited to head up the programming committee for 2026 was an honour beyond my wildest imaginings.

“I worked in fashion retail before I became an author and was a voracious magazine reader and that is the sensibility that I have applied to the format of this year’s panels and author events, focussing on ‘real life’ issues that affect writers in their day to day to lives and thus in turn, inform the things they write about and the way in which they write about them. I’m delighted to see a stellar line up of writers coming together for 2026 and cannot wait to be there, watching all the behind-the-scenes work come to magical life for another glorious and unforgettable festival.”

As programming chair for the festival, now in its 23rd year, Jewell follows in the footsteps of Lee Child, Sir Ian Rankin, Ruth Ware, Mick Herron and Vaseem Khan.

Simon Theakston, Chairman of title sponsor T&R Theakston Ltd, said: “It is a privilege to support the world’s best crime writing Festival for an incredible 23rd year, and I’m thrilled that Lisa Jewell is taking on the role of 2026 Festival Programming Chair.”

The festival is the jewel crown of the global crime fiction community, offering readers from around the world a unique opportunity to meet literary superstars and discover exciting new talent. The prestigious festival offers a packed programme of thrilling panels, talks and inspiring creative workshops, with a special event celebrating the legacy of Agatha Christie, who stayed at the Old Swan Hotel, now the Festival venue, 100 years ago when she mysteriously disappeared.

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “Crime fiction fans around the world love Lisa Jewell’s spine-tingling contemporary thrillers, so we are delighted that she has agreed to be Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s 2026 Programming Chair as it promises to be a landmark year as Harrogate International Festivals celebrates six decades of arts Festivals.

“With her focus on topical real-life issues and character driven fiction, Lisa brings a unique sensibility to her programming, and we’re excited to reveal five of the exceptional Special Guests headliners she has selected – with more to be announced in January.”

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is part of the north of England’s leading arts festival organisation, Harrogate International Festivals, and forms part of its year-round portfolio of events, which aim to bring immersive cultural experiences to as many people as possible.