This is the 1st Warrington Crime Festival. Taking place on Sunday 19th April 2026 at the amazing Village Hotel, Warrington. We will bring the most prolific crime fiction authors from the North West and North Wales to their readers. Join us for a day of interaction, stories and laughter with bestsellers and rising stars from the dark fiction community.
Doors will open at 11.00am, panels will start at 11.30am and will finish about 4.30. The running time is TBC.
Included in your ticket price:
Access to all panel discussions and a chance to ask the authors those burning questions
Book signings with your favourite authors
Onsite bookshop, courtesy of the authors
Tote bag with a signed book and bookish goodies
Access to the onsite bar, Starbucks and restaurant.
Free parking in the venue’s secure car park
The first authors to be announced are:
Crime writing 'phenomenon' Simon McCleave (author of 34 gripping crime novels.)
Simon McCleave is currently one of the top-selling authors in the UK.
A multi-million-selling crime novelist who lives in North Wales with his wife and two children.
Before he was an author, Simon worked as a script editor at the BBC and a producer at Channel 4 before working as a story analyst in Los Angeles. He then became a script writer, writing on series such as Silent Witness, The Bill, EastEnders and many more. His Channel 4 film Out of the Game was critically acclaimed and described as ‘an unflinching portrayal of male friendship’ by Time Out.
His first book, 'The Snowdonia Killings', was released in January 2020 and soon became an Amazon Bestseller, reaching No 1 in the UK Chart and selling over 400,000 copies. His twenty subsequent novels in the DI Ruth Hunter Snowdonia Series have all been Amazon bestsellers, with most of them hitting the top of the digital charts. He has sold over 3 million books to date.
‘The Dark Tide’, Simon’s first book in an Anglesey-based crime series for publishing giant Harper Collins (Avon), was a major hit in 2022, becoming the highest-selling Waterstone’s Welsh Book of the Month ever.
This year, Simon is releasing the first in a new series of books, ‘Marshal of Snowdonia’ with several more planned for 2025.
Simon has also written a one-off psychological thriller, Last Night at Villa Lucia, for Storm Publishing, which was a major hit, The Times describing it as ‘…well above the usual seasonal villa thriller…’ with its ‘…empathetic portrayal of lives spent in the shadow of coercion and abuse.’
The Snowdonia-based DI Ruth Hunter books are now set to be filmed as a major new television series, with shooting to begin in North Wales in 2025.
www.simonmccleave.com
Prolific multimillion-selling Conrad Jones (author of 35 dark and gruesome novels.) Biography of Conrad Jones
Name: Conrad Jones
Age: 59 (born in 1965)
Residence: Warrington, England
Conrad Jones is a prolific author renowned for his mastery of crime-horror fiction. With an impressive portfolio of 36 best-selling novels, he has captivated readers worldwide, achieving remarkable milestones that include over 3 million sales and 120 million subscription page reads. His compelling narratives have led to 19 of his works reaching number one in various charts, showcasing his consistent popularity in the genre.
Currently, Conrad has six books listed in the top 20 of the UK horror charts, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in horror literature. His ability to blend thrilling crime elements with sinister horror has garnered a loyal following among fans of both genres.
Beyond his writing, Conrad is a passionate pool player, often spending his leisure time honing his skills at the table. He draws inspiration from the world around him, and his current work in progress, titled The Nest, reflects his creative evolution. This novel is notably inspired by The Rats by James Herbert, a classic in the horror genre that has influenced many writers, including Jones himself.
As he continues to craft stories that both terrify and enthrall, Conrad Jones remains a dynamic voice in contemporary horror literature, maintaining a strong connection with his readers and the ever-evolving landscape of the genre.
Also confirmed;
CSI and author, the amazing Andrew Barret.
Author biography – Andrew Barrett
Andrew Barrett has been a CSI since 1996, and one way or another, his life has revolved around crime ever since.
In 1997 he finished his first crime thriller, A Long Time Dead, and it’s still a readers’ favourite today, some 150,000 copies later, topping the Amazon charts several times. Two more books featuring SOCO Roger Conniston completed the trilogy.
Today, Andrew still produces authentic crime thrillers with a forensic flavour that attract attention from readers worldwide. He’s also attracted attention from the Yorkshire media, having been featured in the Yorkshire Post and interviewed on BBC Radio Leeds a couple of times.
He’s best known for his lead character, CSI Eddie Collins, and the acerbic way in which he roots out criminals and administers justice. Eddie’s series is seven books and five novellas in length, and there’s still more to come.
But don’t forget the new four-part series starring the feisty DS Regan Carter – it’s wowing readers worldwide.
He’s a proud Yorkshireman and sets his novels there, using his home city of Leeds as another major, and complementary, character in each of the stories.
You can find out more about him and his writing at www.andrewbarrett.co.uk
Also confirmed; Ghost Story master, ML Rayner.
Born and bred in the county of Staffordshire. Matt is a keen reader of classical, horror and fantasy literature and enjoys writing in the style of traditional ghost stories. During his working life, Matt joined the ambulance service in 2009, transporting critically ill patients all over the UK. His hobbies include genealogy and hiking.
Also confirmed. Axl Malton. Author Biography
Axl Malton is a bestselling author hailing from the picturesque town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. He burst onto the literary scene in 2022 with his debut novel, Cries of Joy, which captivated readers and quickly climbed the bestseller lists. Since then, Axl has published two additional titles, solidifying his reputation as a powerful voice in the world of fiction.
His latest work, The Devil's Tree, masterfully blends elements of crime and supernatural horror, showcasing Axl's knack for weaving intricate plots filled with suspense and unexpected twists. With each publication, he continues to enthrall a growing audience, earning a dedicated following among horror and thriller aficionados.
As Axl Malton's profile rises, he is becoming a notable figure in contemporary literature, carving out a space for himself as a dynamic storyteller celebrated for his thrilling narratives and rich character development.
Also confirmed! I'm excited to announce another talented author, dubbed 'The Duchess of Dark Noir...' Caroline England was born in Sheffield and came over the border to study Law at the University of Manchester. As well as her latest release, THE RETURN OF FRANKIE WHITTLE, Caroline is the author of six other psychological suspense thrillers, THE STRANGER BESIDE ME, THE SINNER, TRUTH GAMES, BETRAY HER, the bestselling MY HUSBAND’S LIES, and her debut, BENEATH THE SKIN. She also writes gothic-tinged thrillers under the pen name CE Rose, namely THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS, THE HOUSE ON THE WATER'S EDGE, THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE and THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE.
Dubbed the ‘Duchess of Dark Domestic Noir’, Caroline writes multi-layered, dark and edgy ‘domestic suspense’ stories in South Manchester and the surrounding areas that delve into complicated relationships, secrets and the moral grey area. Drawing on her days as a divorce and professional indemnity solicitor, she loves to create ordinary, relatable characters who get caught up in extraordinary situations, pressures, dilemmas or crime. She admits to an obsession with the human psyche, what goes on behind closed doors and beneath people’s façades. She also enjoys performing a literary sleight of hand in her novels and, hopefully, surprising her readers!
To find out more about Caroline, visit her website or follow her on social media:
Website:
https://carolineenglandauthor.co.uk
Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4aC9BGe
X:
https://x.com/CazEngland
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CazEngland1/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cazengland1/
Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/cazengland.bsky.social
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@cazengland1
Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/carolineengland1
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-england-35888064/
DON'T miss this great event!. Grab a ticket today...;
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/.../warrington.../e-ykaxxo...
Also confrimed. Cheryl Elaine. I am excited to announce another author of dark fiction. Cheryl Elaine. Her novels are dubbed darker than dark...in fact pitch black and certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Author Bio:
Cheryl Elaine was born on a military base camp, but her heart has always belonged to the rolling hills and vibrant landscapes of West Yorkshire. A British author known for her gripping narratives, Cheryl has penned five compelling fiction novels that delve into the realms of horror and psychological thrillers. Her writing is celebrated for its intensity, with her stories often described as "darker than dark"—truly pitch black and definitely not for the faint-hearted.
In addition to her fiction work, Cheryl has skillfully turned her talents toward dark fantasy, weaving intricate tales that captivate readers and leave them breathless with anticipation. As an award-winning scriptwriter, she brings a cinematic flair to her storytelling, crafting narratives that resonate long after the final page is turned. With a penchant for exploring the depths of human emotion and the shadows lurking within, Cheryl Elaine continues to enthral audiences, inviting them into her hauntingly vivid worlds. Her books are the following titles –
No Ordinary Girl …
https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Ordinary-Girl-tainted-broken-ebook/dp/B072C7YVFJ
Stitched …
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stitched-gruesome-tale-control-brutality-ebook/dp/B07N89QYTN
Camp Hell …
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08K7MVFTG
Cult
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CULT-Daughter-Sin-Cheryl-Elaine/dp/1999620453, A Daughter of Sin
Dragged to the Depths -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DL8MF17
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV1Y8W18
And When not absorbed in writing the latest gripping page turner, Cheryl Elaine loves to read, walk her dogs, or indulge in binge watching crime documentaries, and horror movies.
You can find out more about her, at the following places -
https://m.facebook.com/CherylElaine15/
https://m.facebook.com/cherylelaineauthor/
https://www.instagram.com/cherylelaine15/
https://mobile.x.com/CherylElaine15
As we confirm, the lineup of the North West's crime writing best sellers will be announced. TBA
Also check out other Arts events in Warrington, Literary Art events in Warrington, Festivals in Warrington.
