#BOOKS: TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS: MOTIVE CRIME & MYSTERY FESTIVAL RETURNS JUNE 5-7, 2026

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) is dialling up the suspense with the announcement that the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival will return for its fifth year, from June 5-7, 2026 at Victoria University in the University of Toronto. Celebrating a milestone year, MOTIVE 2026 unveils its most expansive and riveting programme to date, featuring more than 55 events, author talks, and immersive workshops designed to captivate crime and mystery lovers of all kinds.

This year’s lineup brings together an exceptional collection of bestselling authors and literary heavyweights, including former UK police officer Clare Mackintosh, in conversation with the award-winning author of The Maid, Nita Prose. In Canada Bleeds, acclaimed writers Shari Lapena, Margaret Cannon, and Steven Beattie dive into the evolution of Canadian crime fiction, while renowned British novelist and biographer Nicholas Shakespeare leads a fascinating re-examination of the works of literary icon Graham Greene.

MOTIVE 2026 goes beyond the page with an expanded slate of interactive experiences, including hands-on workshops presented by the University of Toronto Mississauga Forensic Science Program; fiction masterclasses with acclaimed crime and mystery writers Hannah Mary McKinnon, Doug Johnstone, Maureen Jennings, Robyn Harding, and Lilja Sigurdardottir; morning yoga classes to get attendees blood flowing; a Godfather-themed murder mystery dinner; and the return of the delicious Tea, Cake and Murder conversations.

The festival proudly showcases an outstanding roster of Canadian talent including Shari Lapena, Nita Prose, Maureen Jennings, Robyn Harding, Genevieve Graham, Karma Brown, Uzma Jalaluddin, Hannah Mary McKinnon, Roz Nay, and Sharon Bala.

Internationally, MOTIVE 2026 shines a spotlight on the dynamic world of French ‘Polar’ crime writing with Crime Scene: France, featuring major voices such as Hannelore Cayre, Olivier Norek, Sophie Hénaff, and Johana Gustawsson. Presented in partnership with the Quais du Polar Festival in Lyon.

This landmark edition of MOTIVE comes at an especially exciting moment for TIFA, following its recent transition to a fully independent organization.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for TIFA and for MOTIVE,” said Roland Gulliver, Artistic Director & recently appointed CEO of the Toronto International Festival of Authors. “As an independent organization, we have the opportunity to dream bigger and push boundaries with MOTIVE 2026. From world-class authors to creative one-of-a-kind experiences, we’re inviting audiences to dive deeper into the stories they love and discover new voices from Canada and around the globe.”

With its bold pramming, international scope, and immersive experiences, MOTIVE 2026 promises an unmissable weekend for fans of crime, mystery, and storytelling.

Passes for MOTIVE are on sale now, starting at $24
Tickets and more information available at https://festivalofauthors.ca/motive/

About TIFA:

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) has been inspiring readers and celebrating books and storytelling for over 50 years. Since 1974, TIFA has produced Canada’s longest-running book festival, the Toronto International Festival of Authors (formerly known as IFOA). TIFA has grown to offer year-round programming, including the TIFA Presents series of high-profile author talks, the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, Ever After, TIFA’s Romance Festival, and the International Visitor’s Programme. Since 1974, TIFA has welcomed thousands of authors from more than 100 countries, including many Nobel Laureates and countless award winners. TIFA is a not-for-profit organization, one of the world’s founding book festivals, and a proud member of the Canadian Association of Literary Festivals (CALF) and the Global Alliance of Literary Festivals (GAoLF).

TIFA gratefully acknowledges our Season Supporter, the Weston Foundations; our Global Authors Club, for providing philanthropic support; the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Ontario, Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, the Centre for Creativity at Victoria University, and TIFA’s generous donors and supporters who understand that great literature is worth investing in.

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