Forthcoming Events
Sadly there are no US events currently scheduled, but if you fancy hopping across the pond…
June 17: The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers.
Mold. Details TBC
June 18: The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers play LIVE.
Heswall Hall, 111, Telegraph Rd, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 0AF.
7.00 PM. Through Linghams Bookshop.
Tickets: https://events.ticketquarter.co.uk/frontend/web/event/event-desc?eid=OTc0
June 27: Daunt Summertown Day Festival.
4.30 PM. In conversation with Mick Herron.
Daunt Books, Summertown, 247-249, Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 7HN.
https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/events/mick-herron-and-mark-billingham-summertown-festival-2026/
June 30: Book-Ish, Crickhowell.
18, High St, Crickhowell, Powys,
NP8 1PD
Details TBC. With Abir Mukherjee
July 1: Bert’s Books, Swindon.
54, Godwin Court, Swindon.
Details TBC. With Abir Mukherjee.
July 8: Waterstones Steyning.
Details TBC. With Abir Mukherjee.
July 13: Waterstones Coventry.
Details TBC. With TM Logan.
July 17: Waterstones Piccadilly.
Details TBC. With Shari Lapena.
July 23-16: Harrogate Crime Writing Festival.
https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/festival/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival/
News
March 2026.
After a bumper year in 2025 (my 25th as a published writer) this year is shaping up to be no less busy. Then paperback of my 25th novel – WHAT THE NIGHT BRINGS – is now out and will be followed a few months from now by the third Declan Miller book – THE SHADOW STEP. It was a treat returning to the strange world of Declan Miller and I really hope you enjoy his third outing. For anyone who’s yet to encounter him, I need to tell you that there are…jokes! Sorry/not sorry.
I’ll be travelling hither and yon to shamelessly pimp the new book with plenty of bookshop, library and festival events in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. At the same time, the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers will be back on the road again! Yes, that’s the rawking beat combo featuring myself, Val McDermid, Luca Veste, Doug Johnstone, Stuart Neville and Chris Brookmyre and, after our enforced absence (due to a bizarre injury to the lead guitarist), we’re fired up and ready to murder more songs for fun. Should you fancy a glimpse of us taking on an Elvis Costello classic, there is footage of us performing on a TV show on the SHOWING OFF page of this very website.
The year has kicked off with some very pleasing news. I was thrilled and delighted to hear that the Crime Writers’ Association has chosen to award me the 2026 Diamond Dagger. This is their most prestigious award for ‘a lifetime contribution to crime writing’. Blimey! If it’s a subtle hint that I should bugger off and give someone else a chance, it’s one I’m choosing to ignore. There’s plenty of gas left in the tank. Seriously, I’m honoured to be joining a select list that includes the likes of PD James, John Le Carre, Colin Dexter, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Elmore Leonard and Mick Herron. The award is being handed over on July 2. That also happens to be the day THE SHADOW STEP is published. Oh and it’s also my birthday. I may well have a drink or three that night…
So, until the pimpage for the new book begins in late June and carries on throughout the summer, I’ll be trying to make headway with novel 27. This one’s a standalone (as yet untitled) and I’m on the home straight. I think. More news anon…
I hope to see some of you at a book event or a band show somewhere soon, but in the meantime social media remains the easiest way to make contact if you want to say hello or just shout at me about something.
X: @MarkBillingham
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MarkBillinghamAuthor
As ever, you can email me through this website at: mail@markbillingham.com
Stay well and happy reading…