#BOOKS: MOTIVE CRIME & MYSTERY FESTIVAL 2026 HIGHLIGHTS

The MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival wrapped its fifth edition on June 7 after three days of lively and immersive programming featuring more than 50 crime and mystery writers from Canada and around the world. Festival highlights included the Canada Bleeds panel exploring the evolution of Canadian crime fiction and a series of sold-out masterclasses with some of the genre’s most celebrated authors. With international guests, French crime-writing showcases, forensic science workshops, and unforgettable mystery experiences drawing enthusiastic audiences, MOTIVE 2026 marked the festival’s largest and most successful edition to date.

Moments You May Have Missed

TIFA Presents Preview

In addition to its annual Fall Festival, TIFA keeps literary conversations thriving year-round through a dynamic lineup of author events featuring internationally acclaimed writers from Canada and around the world. Through TIFA Presents, audiences can connect with bestselling authors and influential voices across literature, culture, and current affairs throughout the year.

In Conversation with…Maggie O’Farrell, June 28, 2026

In Partnership with TIFF and Penguin Random House Canada

Location: TIFF Lightbox

Maggie O’Farrell, the bestselling author of Hamnet, joins us in person for the exclusive Canadian launch of her latest work of fiction, Land: A Novel, one of 2026’s most anticipated books. O’Farrell will discuss Land, as well as her creative process and her collaboration with Chloé Zhao on adapting Hamnet for the big screen, in an in-depth conversation with bestselling author and journalist Claire Cameron.

TIFA Presents: An Evening with Rebecca F. Kuang, September 22, 2026

Location: Winter Garden Theatre

Join R.F. Kuang at the iconic Winter Garden Theatre as she discusses her latest contemporary fiction novel, Taipei Story.

Tickets and more information available at https://festivalofauthors.ca/whats-on/

TIFA’s flagship Fall Festival returns October 28–November 1, 2026, bringing together celebrated authors, emerging voices, and thought leaders for five days of conversations, readings, and special events. Media are encouraged to mark their calendars now and stay tuned for programming announcements in the coming months.

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 recognize that great literature is worth investing in.

Follow along on social:

Facebook: facebook.com/FestofAuthors/

Instagram: instagram.com/festofauthors/

YouTube: youtube.com/user/AuthorsatHC

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A MOTIVE FESTIVAL 2026 PRIZE PACK

The Toronto International Festival of Authors’ (TIFA) 5th edition of the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, takes place June 5-7, 2026 in Toronto. This year’s festival features an exciting lineup of bestselling crime and mystery authors from around the world, including Nita Prose, Shari Lapena, Clare Mackintosh, and many more. With its bold programming, international scope, and immersive experiences, MOTIVE 2026 promises an unmissable weekend for fans of crime, mystery, and storytelling.

We want to give Readers and Followers a chance to win a MOTIVE FESTIVAL 2026 Prize Pack, including tickets to the Festival!

Prize Pack:
Includes the following books from participating authors (provided by the publishers) and two festival passes.
-The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose
-Frame 37 by Nicolas Shakespeare
-The Couple Next Door Anniverary Edition by Shari Lapena
-The Chambermaid’s Key by Genevieve Graham

Book Bundle to be picked-up on-site at the Festival.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK, X, or IG. Tag a friend you’re bringing to the Festival, Multiple entries allowed.

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Rules and regulations here.

Learn more about TIFA by following on IG here or visiting their website here.

#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.

Follow along on social:

Facebook: facebook.com/FestofAuthors/

Instagram: instagram.com/festofauthors/

YouTube: youtube.com/user/AuthorsatHC

#BOOKS: MOTIVE CRIME & MYSTERY FESTIVAL 2025

Tickets are on sale now for MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival featuring more than 40 authors appearing over three days, including international bestsellers, notable debuts, workshops, readings and more.

MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival will return with incredible authors for its fourth spine-tingling year from this weekend at U of T’s Victoria University. Highlights include the return of forensic science workshops, an immersive murder mystery performance, and in-depth panels on Canadian and international crime writing – spanning cozy mysteries to psychological thrillers. The lineup also features masterclasses, Toronto Crime Tours, and timely true crime discussions led by journalists, former FBI agents, and subject-matter experts.

Key authors appearing include: Shari Lapena, Denise Mina, Eliza Reid, Linwood Barclay, Liann Zhang, Lisa Unger and more.

Passes for MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival start at $20 CAD and are on sale now. Canadian booklovers can purchase them at festivalofauthors.ca/motive-2025/.

MOTIVE runs:

Friday, June 27, 2025

1:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Saturday, June 28, 2025

11:00 AM – 8:30 PM

Sunday, June 29, 2025

11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Victoria University at the University of Toronto

73 Queens Park #106, Toronto, ON M5S 1K7

#BOOKS: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO THE MOTIVE CRIME & MYSTERY FESTIVAL 2025

The MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival is returning to Toronto for its fourth year from June 27 – 29, 2025.

Presented by the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA), MOTIVE is Canada’s leading celebration of crime, mystery, and thriller writing – drawing bestselling authors, emerging talent, and passionate fans from around the world. New this year, is the gothic revival location of U of T’s Victoria University. Attendees will get to hear from bestselling crime and mystery authors, cult-favourite crime podcasters, and meet other thriller fans for a weekend of whodunits and edge-of-your-seat programming.

To enter for a chance to win passes to the festival, visit our X page, “like” and comment on the post pertaining to this Festival, and tag 1 friend you’ll bring with you!

More on the Festival here.

Rules and regulations here.