The highly anticipated first-ever Hamptons Mystery & Crime Festival will debut in East Hampton Village from Thursday, April 13th to Sunday, April 16th. Created for enthusiasts of mysteries, thrillers, suspense, and true crime tales, the festival promises an exciting weekend with a star-studded guest list of prominent figures in the crime writing community.
Nestled in the heart of East Hampton, the festival venues, such as the middle school, East Hampton Library, Book Hampton, and others, are conveniently within walking distance of one another. The Hamptons Whodunit Weekend kicks off on Thursday evening with an elegant cocktail party hosted by Professor Plum at the Maidstone Club. The following days will be packed with various talks, panels, Q&A sessions, and book signings featuring renowned guests.
Esteemed attendees include Michael Connelly, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 37 novels, who will be a guest of honor on Saturday evening. Lisa Jewell, also a #1 New York Times bestseller with 19 novels under her belt, will grace the festival with her presence, participating in several panels and signing books at the East Hampton Library on Friday afternoon. Other notable figures include Anthony Horowitz, Alafair Burke, A.J. Finn, Casey Sherman, Megan Abbott, and an impressive lineup of accomplished authors, filmmakers, producers, reporters, and moderators.
The festival offers more than just intellectual conversations and author interactions. Engaging and immersive events are scheduled throughout the weekend, such as the South End Cemetery tour on James Lane on Friday and Saturday evenings at 5:00 p.m. Led by the town crier, visitors will explore the resting place of figures like Lion Gardiner and hear the story of Goody Garlick, who faced witchcraft accusations and acquittal in East Hampton before the infamous Salem Witch Trials.
The East Hampton Library will host an exhilarating murder mystery trivia and escape room event on Friday night from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Participants can test their teamwork and problem-solving skills with themed escape rooms like “Stranger Things” and “Plum Island.” The Crime Scene Challenge, taking place Saturday morning, will engage attendees in an interactive murder mystery where they’ll solve the case of the murdered mayor, utilizing their creative and deductive reasoning abilities.
For an insightful historical experience, join Mayor Jerry Larsen on a true crime bus tour on Saturday afternoon, exploring the Hamptons’ most notorious crime scenes. Delve into the darker side of the South Fork, uncovering stories of murders, kidnappings, and mob hits from the 1940s to the 1990s.
To learn more about the inaugural Hamptons Mystery & Crime Festival, including a full schedule of events, book signing times, and the list of honorary guests, or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.hamptonswhodunit.com. Immerse yourself in the thrilling world of crime and mystery during this captivating Whodunit Weekend at the Hamptons!
