Sharpen your pencils (or maybe just your detective instincts) because the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2026 is stacking its shelves with a killer line-up of crime writers. From courtroom dramas to domestic noir, SAS shootouts to chilling true investigations, this year’s programme is proof that crime doesn’t just pay… it sells out auditoriums. Here’s your guide to the sessions and stars you won’t want to miss.
1. Scott Turow: The master returns to the stand: If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like when a real lawyer swaps the courtroom for the typewriter, look no further than Scott Turow. The man behind Presumed Innocent (now reimagined on Apple TV+) is back, three decades later, with his new novel Presumed Guilty. Turow doesn’t just write about the law – he’s lived it, and his razor-sharp courtroom thrillers remind us that truth is often murkier than fiction. Think John Grisham with a sharper legal scalpel.
2. The Monster Next Door: Beware the friendly neighbour: Picture this: the school run, the book club, the neighbour who waters your plants when you’re away. All perfectly normal… until someone goes missing. That’s the sweet (and oh-so-sinister) spot Ruth Ware, Louise Candish, and Annabel Kantaria thrive in. Their session, The Monster Next Door, digs into the crimes that lurk behind net curtains and manicured lawns. Bonus trivia: Annabel used to be based right here in Dubai, so she knows a thing or two about gated-community secrets.
3. The Anatomy of Suspense: Blood, sweat, and tennis balls: Suspense is an art form, and who better to dissect it than Alex Shaw, master of SAS thrillers, and – wait for it – Judy Murray. Yes, that Judy Murray. Mother to Andy Murray, tennis legend, but also a writer who knows how to craft a cliffhanger that’ll have you gripping your seat. Their session, The Anatomy of Suspense, is set to prove that whether you’re dodging bullets or a match point at Wimbledon, it’s all about keeping your nerve.
4. Mirna Elmahdy: Gen-Z’s crime queen: True crime has a new superstar, and her name is Mirna Elmahdy. The Egyptian investigative writer has cracked open cases, won over Gen-Z readers, and built a loyal fanbase who hang on her every revelation. She’s proof that investigative writing isn’t just about the facts, but about telling a story that sticks in your head long after the last page. Expect her sessions to be buzzing with young readers who already see her as the voice of their generation.
Case closed (almost…): From the slick US courtrooms of Scott Turow to the chilling domestic streets of Ruth Ware and friends, from Alex Shaw’s military grit to Judy Murray’s unexpected suspense game, and the bold investigations of Mirna Elmahdy, Emirates LitFest 2026 is serving up crime in every flavour. The only real mystery now is how you’ll choose which sessions to attend…
