MOTIVE CRIME & MYSTERY FESTIVAL
TIFA RETURNS TO THE SCENE OF CRIME
A pre-recorded digital event featuring Indian author Deepti Kapoor is one of the highlights. Her second novel, Age of Vice, is on many bestsellers’ lists.
Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) reveals the best in crime and mystery lit lineup at Motive, its Crime and Mystery Festival.
Highlights:
June 3 at 5:30 pm. Power & Prejudice: Vaseem Khan and Harini Nagendra will discuss the vibrant Indian cities featured in their latest work and how the political climate plays into their stories. A search for answers kicks off in Khan’s The Lost Man of Bombay when a man is found frozen in the Himalayan foothills. Set in the 1950s, the story unfolds against the backdrop of post-colonial India, a nation struggling to redefine itself in the shadow of the British Raj. Nagendra’s acclaimed new mystery series kicks off with The Bangalore Detectives Club, set at a garden party in 1920s Bangalore and featuring sari-wearing detective Kaveri. Kaveri puts her strong sense of justice and talents to use when a vulnerable woman is connected to a murder. Brigantine Room in Harbourfront Centre’s main building. This event will be followed by a book signing. Available with a MOTIVE Day or Weekend Pass.
June 03 at 5:15 pm: Open-air Reading: On Harbourfront’s Stage in the Park, American-Canadian author Ausma Zehanat Khan will read from the first novel of her Detective Inaya Rahman series, Blackwater Falls. This timely thriller – incorporating complex and violent themes of racial tension and police corruption – will have you on the edge of your seat. Free and open to the general public. No tickets or passes are needed to attend.
June 4 at 1:30 pm: In the thrilling first crime novel from former FBI director James Comey, a murder investigation reveals deadly connections between high-ranking politicians and the mafia. Central Park West takes readers deep inside the world of lawyers and investigators working to solve a murder while navigating the treacherous currents of modern politics and the mob. Drawing from the author’s decades in federal law enforcement, including his years in Manhattan as a mob prosecutor, this fast-paced legal thriller is enriched by real-life details.
A not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear Comey’s unique perspective on writing crime fiction after so many years living the reality, and to meet the unforgettable cast of characters that keep pages turning in his bold new book. Audience Q&A and book signing to follow.
This is a premium event. Access with premium pass and single-ticket holders.
June 3: Harini Nagendra, the author of The Bangalore Detectives Club (above), appears with Vaseem Khan, the author of The Lost Man of Bombay.
Critical Conversations
Each day, authors and experts will examine thrilling themes of the culture and politics that shape the world around us and the books we read. Presented in partnership with the Provocations Festival. Highlights include: Bearing Witness, with legal scholar Kent Roach and journalistTamara Cherry on complexities, issues and realities of reporting crime.
Cybercrime, with novelist Vaseem Khan and Cameron Field, vice-president at VIDOCQ, a firm that designs tailored investigation, intelligence and risk management solutions.
True Crime Histories, with Canadian authors Susan Goldenberg, Sharon Ann Cook and Margaret Carson, exploring how class, gender representation and prejudice lead to miscarriages of justice.
Special events
TIFA will host a number of thrilling special events throughout the weekend, including: Newfoundland Noir: The Toronto launch of Perry Chafe’s Closer BySea with his long-time creative collaborator, and fellow Newfoundlander, Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle). This dual interview and kitchen party-style jam session includes live musical performances by Maureen Ennis of The Ennis Sisters, and special guests.
Anthony Horowitz on James Bond: The internationally bestselling author will do a deep dive into the rich history behind the iconic James Bond series, including his own latest Bond novel, With A Mind to Kill.
Tea, Cake and Murder with Jessa Maxwell and Amy Stuart: An afternoon tea and cake served with a delicious slice of murder as they dig into their latest books.
Masterclasses
In these creative writing workshops, aspiring writers will learn how to craft compelling stories and bring captivating characters to life through hands-onlessons from industry experts. Some events include: French-Swedish crime writer Johana Gustawsson explores character-building. Podcaster and writer Catherine Fogarty will help transform true crime stories into unforgettable reads. Author Melodie Campbell will show you how to kill with comedy. American author Ryan Gattis offers immersive storytelling techniques.
TIFA Kids
Engaging and inspiring young book lovers, TIFA will feature a special event forelementary and middle school students on June 2 to meet, hear and learn from UK author Anthony Horowitz about his bestselling YA series, Alex Rider, now in its third series on Amazon Prime. Ideal for grades 5–8.
Free Festival experiences
Alongside the event programme, TIFA offers an enhanced festival experience with a wide variety of free events and books signings for all audiences to enjoy at Harbourfront Centre:
Lunchtime Taster with Ryan Gattis, Johanna Gustawsson and Harini Nagendra: Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic with a taste of suspense with these celebrated authors.
Ask the Expert with Margaret Cannon, Karen Sullivan and Bjarni Þorsteinss on how to write and publish a crime novel. Outdoor readings from numerous authors including Roxanne Bouchard (Whisper of the Seal), Daniel Kalla (Fit to Die), Marcie R.Rendon (Sinister Graves) and Jonathan Whitelaw (The Bingo Hall Detectives).
June 4: In the thrilling first crime novel from former FBI director James Comey, a murder investigation reveals deadly connections between high-ranking politicians and the mafia.
MOTIVE Bookstore. Browse the specially curated bookstore for your next favourite read, presented in partnership with Indigo and digital bookseller Rakuten Kobo.
Digital series. Additionally, three pre-recorded digital events featuring international authors will be available to watch for free all week long:
Scottish author Neil Forsyth on his captivating heist book The Gold, which inspired the hit BBC drama coming to Canada in June.
Indian author Deepti Kapoor on her second novel, Age of Vice, part crime thriller and family saga.
British novelist Martin Edwards on The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and their Creators, the first major history of crime-fiction released in several decades.
Toronto International Festival of Authors inspires, empowers and connects through the art of stories, offering book lovers a breadth of bold, ambitious and accessible literary experiences. As Canada’s largest literary festival, the charitable organization provides engaging opportunities to meet, hear and learn from the world’s best contemporary writers and thinkers, and to celebrate the power of stories. Since 1974, TIFA has presented thousands of authors, including 22 Nobel Laureates, who represent diverse perspectives and a range of literary genres for all ages.
TIFA’s creative programmes continue toadapt to changing times, capturing the most innovative and enlightening forms of storytelling, on stage and online.
Based at Harbourfront Centre, TIFAdelivers a year-round programme of events and activities that reflect Torontoto its residents, its literature to the nation, and its creative ambition to the world. The 44th edition of TIFA’s flagship festival will take place September 21– October 1, 2023.
This year, MOTIVE will introduce a Festival Pass, allowing attendees to explore as much of the Festival as they wish, with either a three-day pass ($64.99 – $99.99) or one-day pass ($24.99 – $39.99), including entry to all standard events.
Premium three-day passes ($99.99 – $149.99) and one-day passes ($39.99 – $59.99) include priority entry to all standard events plus entry to date-applicable Premium events. A limited number of single tickets will be released for Premium events on May 23. Masterclass tickets are excluded from the Festival/Premium passes and are $49. MOTIVE’s free offerings include outdoor activities at Harbourfront, book signings and digital events to enjoy.
Passes go on sale on May 4. Visit FestivalofAuthors.ca/Motive to view the full programme lineup and to book passes.