Inaugural Hamptons Mystery & Crime Festival Coming to East Hampton

There will be more crime and mystery events than you can shake a nightstick at and more authors and panelists than can fit in a paddy wagon when the inaugural Hamptons Mystery & Crime Festival debuts April 13–16.

Here’s the wrap sheet for events on the docket for the event series, with venue details to be confirmed in April. The tentative schedule lineup may change, but all will be in the Village of East Hampton. For tickets and more information, visit hamptonswhodunit.com.

Hamptons Whodunit Kickoff Cocktail
Party 6–8 p.m. Thursday, April 13
Maidstone Club, 50 Old Beach Lane.

Deep in the Dark: Taking Crime Fiction to Its Scariest Places
10–10:50 a.m. Friday, April 14
A panel discussion with Riley Sager, Liz Nugent, Wanda M. Morris and Stacy Willingham moderated by Abby Endler.
The Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran Studio, 229 Main Street.

Murder in the Hamptons
11–11:50 a.m. Friday, April 14
A panel discussion with Helen A. Harrison, Eve Karlin and Randye Lordon moderated by Carrie Doyle.
The Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran Studio, 229 Main Street.

Dark Secrets, Twisted Families
12:15–1 p.m. Friday, April 14
Guest of honor Lisa Jewell in conversation with Abby Endler followed by a free book signing with Jewell.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Crime Fiction Through a Latinx Lens
1:30–2:20 p.m. Friday, April 14
A panel discussion with Alex Segura and Richie Narvaez.
The Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran Studio, 229 Main Street.

Setting Matters: Where the Bodies Are Buried
2–2:50 p.m. Friday, April 14
A panel discussion with authors Debbie Babitt, Wanda M. Morris and Christin Brecher moderated by Tessa Wegert.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

From Editor to Edited: A Trio of Editors-Turned-Authors Discuss Life on the Other Side of the Desk
3–3:50 p.m. Friday, April 14
A panel discussion with A. J. Finn, Greer Hendricks and Nita Prose moderated by Carol Fitzgerald.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Sisters in Crime: Books That Explore the Bonds Between Women
4–4:50 p.m. Friday, April 14
A panel discussion with Megan Abbott, Kellye Garrett and Alison Gaylin moderated by Alafair Burke.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Guest of Honor: Anthony Horowitz
5–5:50 p.m. Friday, April 14
The author will appear in conversation with A. J. Finn followed by a free book signing.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

My Sister Is No Killer: A True Story of Justice
6:10–7 p.m. Friday, April 14
Betty Frizzell in conversation with Dave Wedge.
The Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran Studio, 229 Main Street.

The Goody Garlick Tour
5–5:45 p.m. Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15
Before Salem, there was the not-so-wicked witch of the Hamptons. East Hampton Town Crier Hugh King tells the story in the graveyard where it all took place.
Gardiner Windmill, 28 James Lane.

Free Escape Rooms
6–9 p.m. Friday, April 14
In the Stranger Things Escape Room, somehow, you cross through a portal to the Upside Down. You need to get out before the Demogorgons, Mind Flayer and Vecna find you and destroy you. In the Plum Island Escape Room, you find yourself trapped in the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. The power grid is failing. Will the electronic locks on the radioactive animal cages malfunction?
East Hampton Library 159 Main Street, East Hampton

Friday Happy Hour
Beer, wine, appetizers and authors.
The Palm, 94 Main Street, Suite 1800.

Murder Mystery: Who Killed the Mayor?
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, April 15
Forensics World presents a realistic simulated crime scene challenge containing real physical evidence, an elaborate and entertaining murder-mystery scenario riddled with clues, and a cast of suspicious characters who bring the murder-mystery to life.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Crafting Complex Characters
10–10:50 a.m. Saturday, April 15
A panel discussion with Liz Nugent, Lisa Jewell, Nita Prose, Alison Gaylin and Clare Mackintosh moderated by Abby Endler.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Neo-Noir: Updating a Classic Genre for Today
11–11:50 a.m. Saturday, April 15
A panel discussion with Megan Abbott, Alex Segura, Kellye Garrett and Richie Narvaez moderated by Carol Fitzgerald.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Raymond Kelly and Steve Kroft
12:15–1 p.m. Saturday, April 15
The former NYPD commissioner and attorney who fights for the wrongfully convicted will appear in conversation with Steve Kroft followed by a free book signing.
East Hampton Middle School, 76 Newtown Lane.

Organized Crime: From Goodfellas to Gotti
1:30–2:20 p.m. Saturday, April 15
A panel discussion with Tony DeStefano, Daniel Simone, Jeffrey Sussman moderated by Casey Sherman.
East Hampton Middle School, 76 Newtown Lane.

From Slashers to Comics to Hitchcock & Beyond: Inspiration Behind the Book
2–2:50 p.m. Saturday, April 15
A panel discussion with Riley Sager, Alex Segura, Danielle Valentine and John Searles moderated by Abby Endler.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

From Page to Screen: Adapting Books to Film & TV
3–3:50 p.m. Saturday, April 15
A panel discussion with Anthony Horowitz and Michael Connelly moderated by Carol Fitzgerald.
East Hampton Middle School, 76 Newtown Lane.

Hamptons Crime Scenes Bus Tour
2:45–5 p.m. Saturday, April 15
East Hampton Mayor Jerry Larsen, a former village police chief, will lead the tour.
Huntting Inn, 94 Main Street.

Plot Twists vs. Murder Mysteries: Telling Gripping Crime Stories
4–4:50 p.m. Saturday, April 15
A panel discussion with Clare Mackintosh, John Searles, Stacy Willingham and Greer Hendricks moderated by Abby Endler.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Young Adult Panel
5–5:50 p.m. Saturday, April 15
A free panel discussion with Danielle Valentine, Anthony Horowitz and Alex Segura moderated by Kyle Fichtner.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Guest of Honor: Michael Connelly
5–5:50 p.m. Saturday, April 15
The author will appear in conversation with Alafair Burke followed by a free book signing.
East Hampton Middle School, 76 Newtown Lane.

Nobody Would Talk: Crimes Where Witnesses Remained Silent
10–10:50 a.m. Sunday, April 16
A panel discussion with Betty Frizell, Jax Miller and Maiken Baird moderated by Jennet Conant.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

A 1% Hamptons Scandal: Ted Ammon’s Murder
11–11:50 a.m. Sunday, April 16
A panel discussion with Janet Albertson and Dan Rattiner moderated by Steven Gaines.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Tales of Suspense With True Crime Master
12–1 p.m. Sunday, April 16
A panel with Casey Sherman and special guest Dave Wedge followed by a free book signing.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

How to Bring a Cod Case Back to Life
2–2:50 p.m. Sunday, April 16
A panel discussion with Joe Giacalone and David Berg.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

My Unbelievable True Story of Being in a Cult
3-4 p.m. Sunday, April 16
A conversation with Spencer Schneider moderated by Bess Rattray.
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Missing: The Harrowing Abduction of Ethel Louis Atwell
A screening and conversation with Kristen Thorne & Joseph Giacalone
East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.