The summer of 2025 confirms the Excellent health of the crime novel in Spain, with a succession of literary festivals and events that not only demonstrate the popularity of this genre among readers, but also consolidate it as a fundamental part of the cultural life of several regions. Cartagena, Sierra de Gata and Llanera They will be the epicenter of events where detective fiction, mystery, and suspense take center stage, attracting both prominent figures and amateurs and new talents.
These events offer much more than book presentations: They bring together awards, tributes, contests and workshops that turn the host cities and regions into true meeting points for fans of crime and detective stories. There's no shortage of parallel activities and a commitment to inclusion, in a calendar that blends tradition and renewal year after year.
Cartagena Negra 2025: September 8-13
La eleventh edition of Cartagena Negra once again fills the Ramón Alonso Luzzy Cultural Center with literature from September 8 to 13. The event, organized with the support of the City Hall of Cartagena, adds new initiatives year after year that reinforce its position as a national benchmark. This year, the writer Rosa Ribas receives the honor award, recognizing his decisive role in renewing the Spanish crime novel and his well-known family detective series. You can learn more about his work and career in our entry on Claudia Piñeiro and her influence on contemporary crime fiction.
The festival not only pays tribute to the careers of veteran authors, but also offers space to new voices in the genre. IX Cartagena Negra Award brings together Paco Gómez Escribano, Benito Olmo and Carlos Bassas for a key round table before the closing ceremony. In addition, the VII edition of the Icue Negro Award It focuses on debut novels, aiming to discover and showcase new talents.
The activities don't stop there: short projection, presentation of the winning novel of the II Philip Marlowe Novel Prize (awarded to Salva Alemany for 'Hotel California'), micro-story contests live and meetings with reading clubs are part of the program. The contest also includes workshops and screenings in collaboration with the Alliance Française and the local penitentiary center, opening the festival to diverse audiences.
Among the writers visiting Cartagena, in addition to Rosa Ribas, are names such as Félix G. Modroño, Estela Chocarro, Elia Barceló, Jorge DÃaz, Teresa Cardona, and Empar Fernández. The tribute to Castillo-Puche, one of the pioneers of modern crime fiction in the region, reinforces the link between past and present. The entire agenda and cultural programming are updated in www.cartagenanegra.com y www.cultura.cartagena.es.
Gata Negra 2025: Sierra de Gata celebrates its fifth edition
La Sierra de Gata region It will once again become a nerve center of the city from July 31st to August 5th. black gender, celebrating his fifth anniversary of Gata NegraMoraleja, Vegaviana, and Santibañez el Alto alternate as venues, and, true to the spirit of the festival, the program ranges from literary talks and book presentations to concerts, films, and a dessert-making contest, encouraging the participation of residents and visitors.
La diversity of authors The number of attendees in 2025 is notable: Nagore Suárez, May R. Ayamonte, Elia Barceló, Manuel RÃos San MartÃn, Berna González Harbour, Jon Arretxe and Arantxa Portabales, along with representatives from Extremadura such as FermÃn SolÃs and Jorge Corrales, fills the agenda with meetings, readings and debates. In addition, the specific table on Extremaduran voices reinforces the local and regional character of the festival.
Black Cat is also distinguished by its activities open to audiences of all ages: children's and young adult novel authors, music concerts (Swing Ton Ni Song and the Idanhense Philharmonic), film screenings, and events at senior centers. The festival includes a artistic and heritage component through painting and local cultural promotion. inclusion, with sign language interpreters and hosts with different abilities, is one of the hallmarks of the event, which also has a positive impact on tourism and the economy of the region.
Llanegra: Five years consolidating the crime novel in Asturias
Llanera (Asturias) celebrates for the fifth consecutive year the Llanegra Black Novel Conferences, which have already become a must-see for enthusiasts. From July 7th to 10th, the program takes place outside the Municipal Cultural Center of Lugo de Llanera and, as a new feature this year, offers days with up to three presentations.
El The festival begins with the presentation of "Behind the Crime, 25 Real Cases", a choral work produced by those who investigated high-profile crimes in Spain, such as homicide sergeants and detectives, an approach that provides an authentic and unusual perspective in crime fiction. Throughout the days, there are contributions from renowned authors such as Reynaldo Luis Sietecase, David S. Usanos, Leticia Sanchez Ruiz, Ana Maria Campelo, Luis Ferrero, Jesus Salviejo, Jose Luis Muñoz Jimeno y Pilar Sanchez Vicente, covering both crime fiction and approaches to crime literature from different points of view.
In addition to the talks, Llanegra offers activities such as Rural Sketching to promote the depiction of rural life, integrating oral and visual culture in the context of Black literature. This reinforces the event's multidisciplinary nature and positions it as a participatory and accessible experience.
Its programming demonstrates that the The crime novel remains one of the most vibrant and innovative genres in Spanish literature.The involvement of institutions, the presence of top-tier authors, and the commitment to emerging talent and inclusion make Cartagena Negra, Gata Negra, and Llanegra much more than mere gatherings for fans: for many, they are essential stages of the summer literary calendar.
