CrimeFest 2025: Report by Michael Ridpath

The seventeenth CrimeFest conference, opened on the 15 May 2025. 

At the Grand Mercure Hotel in Bristol.

The conference was spread over 4 days and there were 60 panels
included several interviews.

 For those of you who were unable to attend this year, several 
Mystery People members have contributed short write-ups on one or two of the events and panels that they particularly enjoyed.

Friday11:20-12:10 

From the depths of
darkest Bristol,

Michael Ridpath 
adds his reactions to the

Mental health for writers and readers:

keeping yourself sane in a toxic world panel.

Barbara Nadel moderated a fascinating and thought-provoking panel on mental health.  The panellists are
Simon Brett, Zoe Sharp, Nev Fountain and Cathy Ace –
discussed both writing about mental health in their books and how to deal with their own mental health as writers.

All of the panel admitted to having their own mental health issues.  Actually, admitted is the wrong word, in that the panellist's were making the point that traits such as depression, OCD, autism and others were part of the
human condition and not a disease to be treated.  Three of them suffer from depression and two of them have had suicidal relatives.  It was instructive to learn that people who appear confident and happy can also have their very dark moments. When writing about characters with mental health issues, it is impossible and indeed misguided to avoid cliché. Most cliché reflects a truth.  

 But by adding details specific to the character, such as a woman who turns the smiley face on her lapel upside down when signalling she is in trouble, you can make them believable.

 There was some good advice for writers.  Have confidence that your books are good despite a poor review – one ou.reviewer knows less than all the people who have published and read your novels.  See friends – especially writing friends – when feeling down.  And have the courage to try different writing techniques to find one that suits you.

Michael’s most recent book is Whale Fjord published in 2024.
Click on the title to read a review