Sharjah is about to get a dose of suspense. Thriller Festival returns to Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025 for its fourth edition, running from November 8 to 11 at Expo Centre Sharjah. This year’s event promises a mix of gripping stories, live discussions, and behind-the-scenes insights from some of the biggest names in crime fiction, mystery, and psychological suspense.
The festival brings together 13 top authors, screenwriters, and experts from around the world. From icy Nordic noir to high-stakes American thrillers, the line-up introduces all the top modern minds in the genre. Check out who’s coming to Sharjah this year!
From North America:
- Matt Witten (USA), novelist and TV writer for ‘Law & Order,’ ‘House,’ and ‘Pretty Little Liars‘
- Chris Pavone (USA), author of ‘The Doorman‘ and ‘Two Nights in Lisbon‘
- Jennifer Hillier (Canada) known for ‘Jar of Hearts‘ and ‘Things We Do in the Dark‘
- Stacy Willingham (USA) who wrote bestseller ‘A Flicker in the Dark‘
- Daniel G. Miller (USA) who created ‘The Red Letter‘ thriller series
European writers in crime fiction and mystery coming to Thriller Festival in Sharjah:
- Araminta Hall (UK) – her novel ‘Imperfect Women‘ is being adapted for Apple TV with Elisabeth Moss
- Clare Whitfield (UK), author of ‘Poor Girls,’ praised for its dark and unpredictable tone
- Ragnar Jónasson (Iceland), author of Nordic noir novels
- Eva Björg Ægisdóttir (Iceland), a leading voice in Icelandic crime fiction
From Middle East and Asia:
- S. Hussain Zaidi (India), author of ‘Dongri to Dubai,’ chronicling Mumbai’s underworld
- Omar Shahid Hamid (Pakistan), former counterterrorism officer and bestselling novelist
- Mirna Al Mahdi (UAE) known for exploring regional crime stories and identity
Over four days, visitors of Thriller Festival at SIBF 2025 can attend panels, workshops, and book signings that dive into every part of suspense writing — from turning novels into TV scripts to crafting unforgettable villains and exploring real-world crime.
Adding a creative local touch, the festival will premiere ‘Murder at the Majlis,’ an interactive play, which invites the audience to solve a mystery live.
If you’re planning to attend, check out all details on Sharjah International Book Fair 2025, which will take place from November 5 to 16. It will feature thousands of books and new interactive activities.
Stay tuned for more updates and cultural news in the UAE!
