Special guest tickets for crime festival now on sale

It is hosted at Agatha Christie’s old haunt, the Old Swan Hotel, and delivered by arts charity, Harrogate International Festivals.

Headlining are: Lee Child, Ian Rankin, Dennis Lehane, Brenda Blethyn, Stuart MacBride, Peter May, Arne Dahl, Joseph Finder, Kathy Reichs, Robson Green and James Runcie.

Lee Child has sold 70 million books with his creation Jack Reacher. Ian Rankin has dominated bookshelves for three decades. Dennis Lehane is one of America’s greatest crime novelists.

Kathy Reichs debut Deja Dead catapulted her to fame 10 years ago. As a forensic anthropologist, Reichs has brought her work experience to her forensic thrillers.

Actress Brenda Blethyn will feature alongside Vera creator Ann Cleeves and there will also be a TV panel on Grantchester with actor Robson Green and author, James Runcie.

This year’s programming chairman Elly Griffiths will oversee a programme that explores the history of the genre in a nod to her crime series featuring forensic archaeologist, Dr Ruth Galloway.

Lee Child – who lives in New York – said the festival is “about the only reason I willingly return to the old country.”

The event runs at Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, from July 20 to 23. Full programmed will be revealed in April.

Accommodation packages, day and weekendrovers, special guest and author dinner tickets on sale now.