Aberdeen's crime writing festival is back for 2023!
23 February 2023
Inspired by crime fiction in all its forms, the fantastic contribution Scottish writers make to the genre, our love affair with Nordic Noir, and most of all by Aberdeen, Granite Noir is back with another programme full of thrilling discussions, heart-racing readings and shocking twists from 23rd – 26th February!
Read below for a selection of events from the four-day line-up.
Granite Noir 2020: An Evening with Sara Paretsky, chaired by Denise Mina (image credit: Richard Frew)
Think you’ve got what it takes to work out “whodunit”? Head to Literature at Lunchtime with Andrew James Greig, In Conversation with Charlie Higson and Coorie In with Scandi Crime Friends to face complex mysteries alongside some of contemporary literature’s greatest investigators.
Looking for something a bit more unusual? Our No Escape, Fiction in Real Life? and Edgy, Weird and Wonderful talks each explore exciting new presentations of the noir; flipping the script on traditional plotlines and bringing exciting new perspectives to the genre.
Pop-up bookshops selling this year's featured books will be at the Lemon Tree and Music Hall during the festival
And lovers of true crime won’t want to miss We All Go into the Dark and Trials of the Old Bailey, bringing gripping real life tales of dark criminal underworlds into the light, as well as The Curriculum of Crime exhibition and talk (26.02.23), exploring records of Aberdeen’s historical young offenders and the efforts made to keep them off the streets.
We’re also proud to be partnering with the Scottish BPOC Writers Network to host two events – an online workshop for BPOC writers to come together and discuss their craft, and Nightime Noir, a dynamic night of poetry, prose, and a DJ set from Arusa Qureshi.
Arusa Qureshi (image credit: Marilena Vlachopoulou)
For all young sleuths there’s a full programme of events for families, with workshops and readings at the Central Library on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th February – Face Your Fears with the lovable Scaredy Bat, and let you imagination fly and craft your very own detective adventures with Sarah Todd Taylor and Maz Evans!
And it’s not just author talks! A curated selection of film screenings will be hosted at Aberdeen Arts Centre: with genre classics Vertigo and Knives Out and family favourites Zootropolis and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, the line-up is likely to satisfy cinema fans from across the spectrum. This year’s programme also features two incredible concerts: Heal & Harrow and Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, bringing their powerful musical talents to Aberdeen’s unique and storied stage.
(Image credit: Richard Frew)
It’s our pleasure to bring you a fantastic programme of noir writing and stories in unusual places and spaces across the city, from our lively festival hub at the Lemon Tree to the Music Hall, Aberdeen Arts Centre and the atmospheric St Nicholas Kirk. Aberdeen’s unique character is as much a part of this festival as any of the characters found within the novels and films featured, and we can’t wait to open the doors for another brilliant series of events. Join us to explore the darkness within and around us with fascinating authors from near and far.