Your chance to dive deep into the minds of those who craft and solve the most compelling cases – both on the page and in real life.

Festival Schedule:

8-8:50am: HAMPTON COFFEE COMPANY PRESENTS Coffee & Crime with Joe Giacalone

Our True Crime Consultant, Retired NYPD Sergeant SDS, Expert on Law Enforcement & Author

Location: Clinton Academy

9-9:50am:

TRUE CRIME PANEL:

Forensically Speaking: An Examination of Long Island’s Most Infamous Cases
With death investigator Joseph Scott Morgan and law enforcement expert Joseph Giacalone

Leading forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan and retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone will explore famous Long Island cases that have captivated the public for years. From the Amityville tragedy to the Gilgo Beach murders, forensic evidence can be the key to solving the most brutal crimes. Whether it’s examining DNA, fingerprints, fiber analysis, or digital footprints, the hard science can often lead directly to the killer and is integral to building a case for prosecution.

Location: East Hampton Library

FICTION PANEL:

Gallery Books presents Class of 2025: Debut Thrillers
Anna Sophia McLoughlin, Ande Pliego, Sophie Stava

Moderator: Abby Endler

Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall

10-10:50am:

TRUE CRIME PANEL:

The Truth About Tupac
With Sheryl McCollum, crime scene investigator and the Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute

For almost 30 years the murder of Tupac Shakur has been talked about, and many theories have surfaced. With the explosive new details and charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the family of Tupac Shakur has recently hired an attorney to investigate a possible link between his 1996 murder and Combs.

Crime scene investigator Sheryl McCollum worked directly with Shakur’s mother for years trying to uncover the truth. Duane “Keffy D” Davis, who was arrested last year and charged with the murder, had previously accused Combs of being involved in the planning but Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department never seriously considered Combs a suspect in Shakur’s death.

McCollum says the connection has been there all along.

Location: East Hampton Library

FICTION PANEL:

New York, New York: Crime in the City
Steve Cavanagh, Alyssa Cole, Jessa Maxwell

Moderator: Clémence Michallon

Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall

11-11:50am:

TRUE CRIME PANEL:

Unanswered Questions: The Gabby Petito Story
With Emmy Award-winning Investigative Reporter Kristin Thorne

The murder of Gabby Petito has captivated the public for years. Although the death of Brian Laundrie officially closed the case, there are still many unanswered questions. Having worked closely with the families, five-time Emmy Award winning investigative journalist Kristin Thorne has an insider perspective. Join her as she explains not only the details of the case, but the people and events that contributed to the complexity of this tragedy and why there is still more to tell.

FICTION PANEL:

Guest of Honor Interview: Shari Lapena
In conversation with Abby Endler

Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall

12-12:50pm:

Atria Tea & Book Signing featuring Steve Cavanagh and Jessa Maxwell

Location: East Hampton Library

Book Signing featuring Fiction & true crime authors from morning panels

Location: Clinton Academy

1-1:50pm:

TRUE CRIME PANEL:

College Town in Chaos: The Idaho Murders
With forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Howard Blum, author of WHEN THE NIGHT COMES FALLING

In a case that grabbed national headlines, four University of Idaho students were brutally murdered in their home in Moscow, Idaho on November 13th, 2022. Leading Forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan and author Howard Blum, WHEN THE NIGHT COMES FALLING, will discuss the inside story of these horrific murders.

Having covered this case from its start, Edgar Award-winning investigative reporter Howard Blum takes readers behind the scenes of the police manhunt that eventually led to suspected killer, Bryan Christopher Kohberger, and uncovered larger, lurid questions within this unthinkable tragedy. Joseph Scott Morgan will speak to the importance of forensics in this case and how managing a crime scene can make all the difference in solving such a complex case.

Location: East Hampton Library

FICTION PANEL:

Friends or Frenemies? Characters with Secrets
Lucinda Berry, Lucy Foley, Vera Kurian

Moderator: Abby Endler

Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall

2-2:50pm:

TRUE CRIME PANEL:

Unfaithful, Accused, and Convicted: The Case Against Scott Peterson
With True Crime Broadcast Journalist & Anchor Laura Ingle and Attorney Misty Marris

Laura Ingle has covered the case of Scott Peterson, the man convicted of murdering his pregnant wife Laci Peterson and their unborn child in 2002, for over 20 years.

A 2023 TV special that Ingle reported on to mark the 20th anniversary of her original coverage. The special includes interviews with Peterson’s sister-in-law, detectives, and a reporter who covered the crime. Ingle has covered the case extensively for NewsNation, including reporting on the Los Angeles Innocence Project’s request to retest DNA evidence from a burnt-out van found near the crime scene.

In 2005, Ms. Ingle earned an Edward R. Murrow award for her reporting on the Scott Peterson trial. Additionally, she hosted a 20-year anniversary special on the case entitled, “Reporter’s Notebook: The Scott Peterson Case.”

Location: East Hampton Library

FICTION PANEL:

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances
Steve Cavanagh, Joseph Finder, Carter Wilson

Moderator: A. J. Finn

Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall

3-3:50pm:

TRUE CRIME PANEL:

The Search for the Boston Strangler / Blood in the Water
With New York Times bestselling author and renowned investigative journalist Casey Sherman

Our True Crime Chair Casey Sherman takes you on the hunt for the real Boston Strangler, one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. From 1962 to 1964, eleven women were brutally murdered in the Boston area. The youngest and final victim, 19-year-old Mary Sullivan, was Sherman’s beloved aunt.

Questions about the guilt of the self-confessed Boston Strangler, Albert DeSalvo, led Sherman to embark on a decades long investigative quest to find answers for his family, a quest that made headlines around the world. Sherman will detail his shocking re-investigation with never-before-seen photos and details about his face to face confrontations with the real killers.

Location: East Hampton Library

FICTION PANEL:

Killer Women: Rewriting the Crime Fiction Narrative
Emiko Jean and Clémence Michallon

Moderator: Abby Endler

Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall

4-4:50pm:

TRUE CRIME PANEL:

The Curious Case of Luigi Mangione and the Murder of Brian Thompson
With Scott Duffey and Sheryl McCollum, moderated by Laura Ingle

When the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was murdered in cold blood on the streets of New York City, questions immediately arose about the motive behind this brutal killing. Brian Thompson was walking down a NYC street when an unknown assailant came up and shot him to death. Very quickly the individual was identified as Luigi Mangione, who was eventually charged with the murder.

He has since pled not guilty. But just as this case seemed shocking enough, the public's reaction proved to be even more shocking. Sympathy for Mangione spread and he soon became a celebrated hero for, what some believed, was taking a stand against the greed and corruption of the healthcare industry. Join Scott Duffey, Laura Ingle and Sheryl McCollum who will examine this case in detail and provide insight into why Mangione is no Robin Hood.

Location: East Hampton Library

Sourcebooks Tea & Book Signing:

Featuring Carrie Doyle, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, Anna Sophia McLoughlin, Casey Sherman, and Carter Wilson

Location: East Hampton Library

Book Signing featuring Fiction & true crime authors from afternoon panels

Location: Clinton Academy

5-5:50pm: The Goody Garlick Graveyard Tour – free

In 1658, before Salem, there was the not-so-wicked witch of the Hamptons called Goody Garlick. Hear her story from Town Crier Hugh King in the graveyard where it all took place. Guests should meet by the graveyard at 4:50pm. Parking at the Gardiner Windmill. The tours also takes place on Saturday at the same times.

Location: 28 James Lane. Rain or shine. Numbers are limited, please sign up.

FICTION PANEL:

Make or Break: High-Stakes Thrillers
Ashley Elston, Alex Finlay, Guest of Honor Tess Gerritsen

Moderator: Carter Wilson

Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall

6-6:50pm: Spotlight on ‘The Better Sister’, a Series Adaptation

Step inside the world of THE BETTER SISTER with an exclusive book-to-screen conversation featuring New York Times bestselling author Alafair Burke and the visionary co-showrunners of the upcoming Prime Video adaptation, Olivia Milch (Ocean’s 8) and Regina Corrado (Mayor of Kingstown) moderated by NBC News Entertainment correspondent, Chloe Melas.

Location: Guild Hall

7-9pm:

Murder Mystery Game

Sponsored by Book of the Month and hosted by our Fiction Director Abby Endler of @crimebythebook, you can join our featured authors for a night of mystery-solving fun. Participate in an interactive detective game alongside some of your favorite crime writers where you gather clues, interrogate your fellow players, and see if you can solve a Whodunit Murder Mystery. This event will put your crime-solving skills to the test!

Tickets: $75 includes beverages and small plates

Location: St. Luke’s Hoie Hall

PRESENTs Wine & Crime:

Hosted by Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, crime scene investigator and the Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute

Be a rookie detective in a simulated war room of a homicide unit to help try and solve a real cold case. Interact with forensics experts, investigators and members of law enforcement to help refine your deductive skills while enjoying a delicious glass of wine!

Tickets: $75 includes beverages and small plates

Location: East Hampton Fire Department, I Cedar Street

5-9pm: Escape Rooms

“Murder at the Manor”

While attending a dinner party in the private library of Dennis Fabiszak during the Hamptons Whodunit festival, your host stumbles into the room and collapses on the ground, dead. At first glance, there does not appear to be anything indicating how your host has mysteriously died. Accusations start flying and someone calls the police. You have 20 minutes to find out who of the remaining guests committed the crime, what weapon they used, and in what room the dastardly deed was committed.

Location: East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street.

Click here to buy tickets.