Acclaimed crime writers to headline 3rd Thriller Festival at SIBF

With 14 authors representing Arab and international storytelling traditions, this year’s festival, in partnership with Thriller Festival NY, reflects the growing global appetite for narratives that challenge, provoke, and thrill. The event promises to examine the cultural impact of crime fiction and explore the universal appeal of suspense in literature through panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and book signings over four days.

International crime fiction heavyweights
The third edition of the Thriller Festival will feature an impressive lineup of international authors, starting with Tess Gerritsen, the award-winning novelist behind bestselling titles such as The Spy Coast and Gravity. With 32 novels translated into 40 languages and over 40 million copies sold, Gerritsen is a titan in suspense fiction.

Joining her is Isabella Maldonado, an acclaimed American author known for Fatal Intrusion and A Killer's Game. Maldonado has penned three successful thriller series and co-authored a fourth with Jeffery Deaver.

Also in attendance is John J. Nance, author of 23 books, including 16 New York Times bestsellers. His notable works, including Final Approach and Why Hospitals Should Fly, have cemented his reputation as a master of high-stakes storytelling. Steph Cha, a celebrated American author, will bring her award-winning novels to the festival, including Your House Will Pay and the Juniper Song trilogy.

Canadian thriller writer K.J. Howe, known for international bestsellers like Skyjack and The Freedom Broker, will also be featured alongside Kathleen Antrim, an American author whose bestselling suspense novels, including Capital Offense, have garnered her critical acclaim.

Leading Arab voices in thriller and suspense
The festival will welcome celebrated Egyptian author Ahmed Mourad, whose literary works have been adapted into successful films, including The Blue Elephant and Diamond Dust, both of which achieved massive box office success. His works, such as Deer Hunting Season, have also garnered high sales. Mourad’s award-winning debut novel Vertigo (2007) has been translated into multiple languages, including English, Italian, and French, and was adapted into a successful TV series.  

Joining him is Amir Atef, a bestselling Egyptian writer specialising in thrillers, mystery, and suspense. His works, including Emergency, None of the Above, and Logarithm, have captivated readers across bookstores and literary festivals. Rounding out the Arab lineup is Yehia Safwat, known for his philosophical and humanistic approach to thrillers, with acclaimed novels such as The Notebook of Naout and What the Ashes Concealed.

Panels, workshops, and exclusive book signings
The festival starts on Thursday, November 7, with a panel discussion titled How do you Create a Believable Hero or Villain, featuring Tess Gerritsen, Saad Abed Al Fahad, and Fayez Al-Qurashi, moderated by Kathleen Antrim. On Friday, November 8, the session Book to Film: Bringing Novels for the Screen will feature Isabella Maldonado, John J. Nance, and Yehia Safwat, moderated by K.J. Howe.

Ahmed Mourad will lead a three-day workshop on writing thrillers from November 8 to 10, while Tess Gerritsen will host a session titled What Makes a Book Thrilling? on Saturday, November 9.

On the final day, Sunday, November 10, Isabella Maldonado will lead a workshop titled "The Mind of a Serial Killer." This will be followed by the panel "Crafting the Perfect Opening for a Thriller" with Steph Cha, Amir Atef, Osman Abed, and Mohammed Al Nasser, moderated by K.J. Howe. Attendees can also enjoy book signings after every panel and workshop.

The Thriller Festival is part of a much larger gathering of 134 Arab and international guests from 32 countries, contributing to over 500 cultural activities, including discussions, readings, and workshops. In addition, more than 400 authors will sign their latest works, and over 2,500 publishers from 112 countries will showcase their books at SIBF 2024, running from November 6 to 17 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme “It Starts with a Book”.