Henley Literary Festival event in Henley Town Hall

It’s no surprise that many fans of Midsomer Murders are also big into their crime thrillers. Part of the show’s wide appeal is that it takes the tension and sense of mystery of a great literary whodunit and transposes that to the small screen. In a way, you could say that Midsomer was as close to a televised murder mystery literary work as you can possibly get.

So, book lovers and Midsomer fans will be delighted to know that tickets for this year’s Henley Literary Festival recently went on sale on Tuesday 21 July. The festival, which takes place in various venues across the town, runs form 28 September to 4 October.

Taking their place on the bill are some of the literary world’s leading lights. Big names at this year’s festival include Lynda La Plante (who knows a thing or two about TV murder mysteries) David Nobbs and the creator of Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child.

As well as that, there will be interviews with famous guests, including Max Mosely, and Michael Parkinson conducting chats with various guests. Other confirmed speakers include Brian Blessed, John Sentamu and Sue Perkins. There’s even a special Downton Abbey event at Fawley Court.

The festival is now in its ninth year and offers over 170 talks, Q&As, performances, interviews and workshops across a whole week. The entire town of Henley takes part, with various venues and events forming part of the festival atmosphere. There are even plenty of children’s events for kids from the age of two upwards.

This year features a very strong line up for novelists, with the creators of Captain Corelli, Jane Tennison and Carrie Bradshaw all in attendance. The festival is also focusing on diversity and religion, in an accessible way, as well as keeping things light with some cookery and comedy too.

If you want to get your hands on some tickets for any of the days or particular shows, head over to the Henley Literary Festival website. It’s one of Southern Oxfordshire’s most popular and biggest events and tickets can sell out quickly so you best get a move on if you want to be a part of it.

Somehow the literary festival fits nicely with the idea of Southern Oxfordshire as home to Midsomer. So why not celebrate both with tickets to a few shows and a box set of MM?