Inside Harrogate Crime Festival with Sharon Canavar | Gossip, Authors and Festival Secrets

Inside Harrogate Crime Festival with Sharon Canavar | Gossip, Authors and Festival Secrets

June 5, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 464

About this episode

Philippa Hall interviews Sharon Canavar about the Harrogate Crime Festival, sharing insights and stories from behind the scenes.

In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews , Philippa chats to Sharon Canavar , Chief Executive of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and Harrogate International Festivals. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at one of the world’s most beloved crime fiction festivals, this is the episode for you. Sharon shares: how the festival began back in 2003 why Harrogate feels different from other book festivals the famous beer tent atmosphere festival gossip and disasters over the years lone traveller meet-ups and making the event inclusive authors going missing the hotel nearly catching fire the fiercely competitive quiz night why readers are truly at the heart of Harrogate Philippa and Sharon also discuss: the rise of crime fiction festivals balancing blockbuster authors with exciting debuts the new Swift Half Stage why readers return year after year proof copies, goodie bags and “golden goodie bags” festival nerves, security and keeping events safe Plus: an unexpectedly passionate biscuit debate involving Kit Kats, digestives and secret chocolate habits. This Year’s Festival Highlights Featured authors and events mentioned include: Lisa Jewell…

People in this episode

Host: Philippa Hall

Guest: Sharon Canavar

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate International Festivals

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