The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) is dialling up the suspense with the return of MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, now in its fifth year. Celebrating this milestone year, MOTIVE 2026 will host its most expansive programme to date, featuring more than 55 events, author talks, and immersive workshops designed to captivate crime and mystery lovers of all kinds.
I have taken a peek at the programme this year. There are many events of interest to me, personally, which I think many of you will also enjoy. Below I list a few of those that piqued my interest and curiosity.
Hye’s Picks
The Body Snatchers of Toronto with Adam Bunch
June 6, 1:00am
Join Adam Bunch, author of The Toronto Book of the Dead and The Toronto Book of Love for an exploration of one of the city’s most strangely morbid stories. Event takes place outdoors at Victoria University.
Uncovering Hidden Fractures: Don Gillmor & Lilja Sigurðardóttir
June 6, 2:00pm
Sign up for captivating conversation on building atmosphere in modern crime fiction. Gillmor presents Cherry Beach, and Sigurðardóttir introduces Black as Death.
University of Toronto Forensic Anthropology Workshop
June 6, 2:30pm
Join case-active forensic anthropologist Gregory Grace-Alcock, as she details the day-to-day tasks of missing person searches and recovery, as well as the methods and techniques used to give an individual their identity back after death.
Crime Scene: Korea
June 6, 4:00pm
From psychological thrillers to gritty noirs, Kang Hwagil and Hye-young Pyun discuss what makes Korea’s crime writing scene so distinctive. Event takes place outdoors at Victoria University.
American Dreams & Mysteries: Naomi Hirahara & Kevin Jagernauth
June 7, 2:00pm
Step into the shadows with acclaimed authors Naomi Hirahara and Kevin Jagernauth as they explore the art of historical mystery.
Psychological Faultlines: Nicole Lundrigan & Hye-young Pyun
June 7, 3:00pm
Dive into two thought-provoking stories of psychological suspense. This conversation will examine the intricacies of perception, and the fragile limits that shape and distort human behaviour.
A-List Crime: Sophie Hénaff & Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
June 7, 3:30pm
Walk the bloody red carpet with these two authors in their tales of murder and mystery among celebrities.
Interview with Adam Bunch
Join Adam at MOTIVE for his two events on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7.
MOTIVE 2026 takes place from June 5-7, 2026 at Victoria University in the University of Toronto.
Passes for MOTIVE 2026 are on sale now. For festival schedule, passes and tickets, please visit festivalofauthors.ca.
