Sharjah's 4th Thriller Festival At SIBF Features Global Voices In Crime Fiction

The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is set to host the 4th Thriller Festival from November 8 to 11 at Expo Centre Sharjah. This event, in partnership with Thriller Festival New York, will bring together 13 acclaimed writers and experts in crime fiction, mystery, and psychological suspense. The festival promises a captivating mix of suspense and intellect.

From North America, notable authors like Chris Pavone, Jennifer Hillier, and Stacy Willingham will be present. Pavone is known for "The Doorman" and "Two Nights in Lisbon," while Hillier has won awards for "Jar of Hearts" and "Things We Do in the Dark." Willingham's debut novel, "A Flicker in the Dark," sold over a million copies in North America.

Representing Europe are Icelandic authors Ragnar Jónasson and Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, who will delve into Nordic noir themes. From the UK, Araminta Hall and Clare Whitfield will discuss psychological depth in thrillers. Hall's work "Imperfect Women" is set to premiere on Apple TV in 2026.

South Asia's literary scene will be represented by S. Hussain Zaidi from India and Omar Shahid Hamid from Pakistan. Zaidi is renowned for chronicling Mumbai’s underworld with works like "Dongri to Dubai." Hamid, a former counterterrorism officer, authored "The Prisoner" and "The Election."

Adding a regional perspective, Egyptian author Mirna Al Mahdi will highlight the growing influence of Arab writers in thrillers. Her participation underscores how diverse stories from the region contribute to the genre's evolution.

This year's festival will also feature an original interactive murder mystery titled "Murder at the Majlis." Written by Bhoomika Ghaghada and directed by Tarun Shyam, it involves students from the American University of Sharjah. The play invites audiences to solve a live mystery while celebrating local storytelling.

Engaging Discussions and Masterclasses

The festival offers engaging discussions and masterclasses over four days. Highlights include "Scene One, Chapter One: Translating Novels to Screen," where Matt Witten and Ragnar Jónasson discuss adapting books for film. Another session, "Writing Thrillers Through a Cultural Lens," features Eva Björg Ægisdóttir and Omar Shahid Hamid exploring how culture shapes suspense narratives.

S. Hussain Zaidi will lead a session titled "Inside the Underworld," reflecting on crime's role in storytelling. Araminta Hall and Mirna Al Mahdi will explore fear psychology in thrillers during their session "Crafting Fear in Thrillers."

Workshops on Writing and Marketing

Stacy Willingham and Jennifer Hillier will conduct a session called "Where Trauma Lives," examining how grief adds emotional depth to thrillers. Workshops on television writing, creative storytelling, and marketing fiction will be led by Matt Witten, Shirley Jump, and Daniel G. Miller respectively.

The festival aims to foster creativity by blending suspense with cultural insights through its diverse programme. It highlights Sharjah’s dedication to nurturing local talent while connecting global thriller enthusiasts.

With inputs from WAM