Mystery & Crime

Looking for a book fair or festival built around mystery, crime, and thriller fiction? These events gather authors of detective novels, psychological thrillers, true crime, and noir alongside readers who can't get enough of a good puzzle. Some fairs are entirely dedicated to the genre, with panels on forensic detail, courtroom procedure, and criminal investigation featuring working detectives, prosecutors, or journalists alongside novelists; others weave a crime and mystery track into a broader general-interest festival.

Mystery and crime fiction consistently ranks among the best-selling genres, and its fairs reflect that popularity: packed signing lines, sold-out panels, and a loyal readership that follows favorite series across years and installments. Whether you write police procedurals, cozy mysteries, or hard-boiled noir, these events are a natural place to meet fellow readers and writers who share the obsession.

Mystery and crime fairs tend to be more targeted than general festivals, which makes them a good place for genre writers to meet agents and editors who actively acquire in this space. Check the event's program in advance: many offer pitch sessions or query critiques specifically for crime and thriller manuscripts.