Shetland Noir crime fiction festival to be feature six headliners including Ann Cleeves and Lee Child at Mareel in Lerwick

Shetland Noir crime fiction festival will return to Mareel in Lerwick on June 11, 2026, after a three-year break. The festival will host six headline authors, including Ann Cleeves, creator of the *Shetland* novels, and Lee Child, known for the *Jack Reacher* series. Cleeves, who first visited Shetland over 50 years ago, described the islands as her 'place of sanctuary and escape' and expressed excitement about celebrating the festival with fans. Marsali Taylor, a Shetland-based crime novelist and festival curator, has organized the event alongside Cleeves and the Shetland Arts team. The lineup also includes Louise Penny, Vaseem Khan, Professor Lorna Dawson, and Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Activities include author panels, workshops, short films, storytelling, a beach bonfire at St Ninian’s Isle, and a 'Noir quiz.' The festival explores themes like policing in different cultures and the local Shetlandic language. Lee Child will discuss his work with Stewart Bain, a former Orkney Library archivist and contributor to *The Graham Norton Book Club Podcast*. Louise Penny, whose *Chief Inspector Gamache* novels have sold over 18 million copies, will join Scottish crime writer Alex Gray. Vaseem Khan, who writes a series featuring Q from the *James Bond* franchise, will converse with Cleeves. Forensic soil scientist Lorna Dawson will participate in a discussion on crime investigation science, while Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurdardottir will speak with Jacky Collins, founder of Newcastle Noir. The festival will also feature an exhibition titled *Eerie Isles* in Mareel’s Cafe Bar, showcasing local photography capturing Shetland’s 'haunting, mysterious, and atmospheric' landscapes. Events will take over Mareel for the weekend, offering a mix of crime writing discussions and cultural experiences, including interactions with islanders and Shetland traditions.