A crime fiction weekend like no other – from its beginnings in 1994 the St Hilda’s Crime Fiction Weekend has drawn readers from all over the world to Oxford to hear their favourite authors explore the genre and discuss their own work and the writers who have inspired them. Since 2020, we have offered this unique conference online and, although we are returning to a live conference, by popular demand from all over the world we will continue to offer the online experience!

In 2022 we are offering a truly hybrid experience: gather with us in person here in Oxford for a wonderful, immersive experience and stimulating discussion or, with a simple link, join us online, live from wherever in the world you are, and participate in the live chat during the Q&A sessions after each talk.

Our theme this year for the 29th St Hilda’s Crime Fiction Weekend is:

Town and Country: green lanes to mean streets.

Are they so different? Join us and hear your favourite authors discuss crime novels set in these worlds – contrasting the gritty reality of urban noir with the simmering tensions and rivalries of country life. Are those winding country roads really so idyllic? Mean streets and dark alleyways may not be the only places where you pursue suspect and source.

Our Guest of Honour is the wonderful Ann Cleeves who will be joined this August by a stellar list of speakers:

• Leye Adenle
• Anna Bailey
• Greg Buchanan
• Shawn Cosby
• Philip Gooden
• Elly Griffiths
• Mick Herron
• Beth Lewis
• Imran Mahmood
• Nadine Matheson
• Peter May
• Abir Mukherjee
• Anthony J Quinn
• William Shaw
• Trevor Wood

Many of our acclaimed speakers are listed for major crime fiction prizes this year, do follow @HildasCrime for all the latest news and view the full programme here.

Book your place now to attend either online or in person.  BOOKING DEADLINE 7 August 2022.

Recordings of the sessions will be available for a month after the Conference for all attendees.

Special offer! 1 day pass (Friday only) 

Join us at 6pm on Friday for

Mick Herron in conversation with Jake Kerridge
We’re delighted to offer a special Friday session with Mick Herron, author of the wildly successful Jackson Lamb ‘Slough House’ series, now an equally popular streaming favourite, Slow Horses, on Apple TV. The starry cast is led by Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Find out how Mick gets to grips with characters, why people matter more to him than plot, how fact influences his fiction, and what happens when an author used to working alone walks into a TV writers’ room.

Stay for a drinks reception and three course Dinner with our Guest Speaker, award-winning author, Elly Griffiths giving the after dinner address on the classic: Cold Comfort Crime.
First published in 1932, Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons, is a beloved novel. We all know there’s something nasty in the woodshed, but is this really a crime novel? Elly Griffiths discusses this classic rural satire—written to parody the “loam and lovechild” genre—and explains its influence on her own writing.

Price: £75 (includes drinks reception and 3 course dinner with the speakers and St Hilda’s Crime Fiction Weekend guests). Book HERE.

Accommodation Packages
We have exclusive accommodation packages for those of you who wish to stay in St Hilda's for the full Crime Fiction Weekend experience – including two magnificent dinners. This is only for those who have booked their ticket to attend the Crime Fiction Weekend in person; the link to book accommodation will be included in your conference booking confirmation email.

Prices:

- Single Ensuite Bed & Breakfast (Friday 12 August – Sunday 14 August, 2 nights with breakfast ) plus Friday to Sunday dining ( Friday reception dinner & wine, Saturday lunch, Saturday reception, dinner & wine, and Sunday lunch)
Total cost = £300

- Twin Ensuite Bed & Breakfast (Friday 12 August – Sunday 14 August, 2 nights with breakfast ) plus Friday to Sunday dining, ( Friday reception dinner & wine, Saturday lunch, Saturday reception dinner & wine, and Sunday lunch) price for two people.
Total cost = £552

Dining Options only

- Friday - Reception dinner & wine. Total cost = £41
- Saturday - Lunch, and reception dinner & wine. Total cost = £67
- Sunday - Lunch. Total cost = £21.50
- Friday to Sunday ( Including Friday reception dinner & wine, Saturday lunch, Saturday reception dinner, and wine and Sunday lunch) Total cost = £128