Harriet Tyce: Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Following her memorable appearance on The Traitors, million-copy bestselling author Harriet Tyce returns with Witch Trial, a gripping thriller of suspicion, deception and public judgement, where a sensational murder case spirals into rumour and social media frenzy.

Drawing on her experience as a former criminal barrister, Tyce explores the dangerous allure of certainty.

This event will be chaired by Charlie Gallagher, a local crime and thriller writer who has spent rather more time investigating real-life mysteries than most novelists. Before turning to writing full-time, he spent 13 years as a police officer, working as a detective, response officer and in specialist tactical and counter-terrorism units. These days, he puts that experience to excellent use, dreaming up gripping plots, dastardly crimes and characters you wouldn’t necessarily want to meet down a dark alley. With a detective’s curiosity, a storyteller’s imagination and plenty of tales from the thin blue line, he’s in excellent company with Harriet Tyce, who knows a thing or two about the darker side of human nature herself.

Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of stories, ideas and conversation by the sea. Curated by novelist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s festival brings together more than 60 events across two weeks, welcoming world-class writers, thinkers and storytellers to Folkestone.

Discover another event, browse the bookshop, explore Folkestone’s vibrant arts scene, independent cafés, bars and galleries, and share the experience with a friend. The best festivals are as much about the conversations between events as those on stage.

The Festival is part of Folkestone is a Library, our ambitious town-wide celebration of reading, writing and storytelling, helping make Folkestone one of the UK’s most exciting literary destinations.

We believe great conversations should be for everyone, which is why every event includes a £5 Cost of Living Ticket, available with no questions asked.

Please help us spread the word. Together, we’re building a thriving community of readers, writers and curious minds.

Folkestone Book Festival is proudly supported by Eurotunnel, Canterbury Christ Church University, Holiday Extras, and the Friends of Folkestone Book Festival. Creative Folkestone is supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Saga. Founding Funder The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.