The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) is all set to host the fifth edition of the ‘Thriller Festival’ from November 7-10 that will bring together 12 top international mystery and thriller writers. The book fair will also see three theatrical performances.
Held in collaboration with Capital Crime London and Thriller Festival New York, the event will feature guests including British novelist and former police officer Clare Mackintosh; American author Karen Dionne, whose novel ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ was adapted for film; and British writer and journalist Elizabeth Moore, known for her psychological thriller ‘The Man on the Middle Floor’.
They will be joined by Vaseem Khan, author of the Baby Ganesh Agency and Malabar House series; British novelist Abir Mukherjee, author of the Wyndham & Banerjee detective series; and British writer David Fennell, whose crime fiction includes the Sleeper and Grace Archer series.
Arab participants include Egyptian novelist Noha Dawoud, Emirati writer and director Ibrahim Al Marzouqi, and Emirati author Adel Al Sumaiti.
The festival will also welcome Emirati novelist Mohammed Ali Al Hammadi, Emirati writer Alia Nasser Al Zaabi, and Syrian novelist and journalist Islam Abu Shukair.
Theatrical Performances
The 12-day cultural extravaganza will present three productions requiring advance booking, beginning on November 7 with the exclusive premiere of the musical ‘When Memories Sing’. The show will revisit childhood songs and familiar voices remembered across generations.
On November 8, Abdullah Annan will present ‘Impossible or Science?!’, an interactive family show combining optical illusions and scientific experiments. Children and families will be invited to participate, vote and learn the scientific explanations behind seemingly impossible acts.
The outdoor stage at Expo Centre Sharjah will then host ‘Waterland’ on November 14 and 15, a theatrical production featuring Hussein Al Mahdi, Shaila Sabt, Ghorour Safar, Mohammed Al Musallam, Ahmed bin Hussein, Shamlan Al Omairi, Amani Al Dobb, Areej Al Attar, Najla Al Baloushi, Wahaj Al Anzi, Raghad Mohammed and Ahmed bin Jalal.
SIBF 2026 will be held from November 4-15 under the theme ‘Made of Stories’ at the Sharjah Expo Centre.
