Explore the program

Curate Your Festival | Crime

We know that the Festival has a lot of events to choose from so we’ve curated a selection of events to help you decide what to see based on your interests.

We also have multipack discounting available for when you book 4 events, 5 events or 6 or more events. Book all or some of the events in the selection to receive your discount.

There’s nothing quite so gripping as a classic murder mystery. With these crime-centric events, ranging across the true and not-so-true stories of murder, espionage and intrigue, there’s plenty to get your heart racing and your spine tingling.

Crafting the Perfect Crime | Thursday 22 May, 7pm

Chris Whitaker and Christian White are at the top of their crime writing game with bestselling titles in Australia and the UK. With Hayley Scrivenor, the two crime novelists chat about what it takes to write a twisting, turning story that keeps readers hooked until the very end.

Untrue Crime | Friday 23 May, 6pm

True crime stories have had a surge of popularity in recent years and crime fiction remains one of the largest-read genres globally. In this conversation, crime fiction novelists Shankari Chandran, whose crime debut is Unfinished Business, and Ian Rankin, whose much-loved Inspector Rebus series gained a new instalment in Midnight and Blue, join investigative journalist Kate McClymont to discuss the line between truth and fiction in crime stories. Hosted by prize-winning journalist and crime writer Matthew Condon. 

Your Favourites’ Favourites: Michael Robotham and Chris Whitaker | Saturday 24 May, 11am

The king of Australian crime fiction Michael Robotham introduces local audiences to British crime writer Chris Whitaker in this session highlighting his new book All the Colours of the Dark. A kidnapping haunts two childhood friends as they both pursue their own searches for justice.

Ben Macintyre: The Siege | Saturday 24 May, 2pm

In April 1980, armed gunmen stormed the Iranian embassy in London, taking hostages and igniting a multi-day siege that was broadcast all over the world. Prior to this event, the SAS were a hush-hush organisation within the British government. Afterwards, after their successfully planned and execute rescue mission, they had entered the world stage.

Ian Rankin: Master of Crime | Saturday 24 May, 4pm

Detective Inspector John Rebus has been intriguing readers for 40 years but, in Ian Rankin’s latest thriller Midnight and Blue, Rebus is behind bars. Hear how Ian got his much-loved character into this mess as he reflects on a lengthy crime writing career.

Spies, Lies and Secrets | Sunday 25 May, 3.30pm

Fiction stories about spies and traitors are all well and good but what about the real stories? How do those differ from novels and films? Espionage expert Ben Macintyre and former French intelligence officer Jack Beaumont discuss the reality of the spy stories that inform their books.

With so many mysteries to be solved, are you more inclined to the fiction or the stranger than fiction?

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