About Us

Our History

CrimeFest is a convention for people who like to read an occasional crime novel as well as for die-hard fanatics. Drawing top crime novelists, readers, editors, publishers and reviewers from around the world, it gives all delegates the opportunity to celebrate the genre in a friendly, informal and inclusive atmosphere.

It was created following the hugely successful one-off visit to Bristol in 2006 of the American Left Coast Crime convention. The British hosts were encouraged to continue with a similar annual event and, as a result, the first CrimeFest was organised in June 2008. The convention has grown to become not only one of the biggest crime fiction events in Europe, but also one of the most popular dates in the international crime fiction calendar.

CrimeFest offers discounts for librarians, students, and delegates who are on benefits and/or disabled.

Meet the Team

We are a friendly bunch and can’t wait to welcome you to CrimeFest!

Jenny Dunbar (registration desk), Gianna Faccenda (registration desk),
Adrian Muller (co-host), Dame Mary Perkins (co-founder of headline
sponsor Specsavers), Donna Moore (co-host and programmer), Jennifer
Muller (designer of the programme book and printed materials), Gabriel
and Eleanor Muller (gofers).

Not pictured, but much appreciated, are: Edwin Buckholter (advisor and
sponsor liaison); Ann Chadwick and Clair Challenor Chadwick (Cause PR);
Fiona Holbrook and Ann Mackinolty (delegate bag coordinators and panel
time keepers); and Mike Stotter (delegate bag publisher liaison); Sue
Trowbridge (webmistress).

2022 Convention


CrimeFest’s stated aim is to give all delegates the opportunity to celebrate the genre in a friendly, informal and inclusive atmosphere. Attendees are asked to respect commonsense rules for public behaviour, personal interaction, common courtesy and the rights of others. CrimeFest supports diversity and free speech, and all attendees are expected to be considerate of others. Comments and views expressed by interviewers, interviewees, moderators and panellists during CrimeFest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organisers.