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:
8-9:30am: 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
9:30-10:20am:
TRUE CRIME PANEL:
Gangs, Mafia, and Extortion
With Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist Anthony DeStefano, and our True Crime Honorary Chair and moderator Casey Sherman
One of the foremost Mafia experts writing today, Anthony DeStefano is the author of BROADWAY BUTTERFLY VIVIAN GORDON: THE LADY GANGSTER OF JAZZ AGE NEW YORK. This definitive book covers one of the most notorious murders in Jazz Age New York history, that of Vivian Gordon, the high-end escort, con artist, and blackmailer connected to gangsters like “Legs” Diamond and Arnold Rothstein, whose death exposed the dark underbelly of police corruption throughout the city. This fascinating case gives insight into the hidden secrets of the Mafia.
Location: East Hampton Library
FICTION PANEL:
Going Global: International Thrills
Joseph Finder and Alex Finlay
Moderator: Carter Wilson
Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall
10:30-11:20am:
TRUE CRIME PANEL:
Murder and Fraud in Art Investigations
Nick Petraco, Forensic Expert & Consultant and Art Fraud Investigator in conversation with Helen A. Harrison
Noted forensic expert, author, and professor, Nick Petraco has worked on thousands of forensic investigations including homicides, suicides, accidental deaths, arson, explosion, terrorist attacks, assault, burglary and robbery, insurance fraud; kidnapping, sex crimes, child abuse; as well as art fraud, stolen art identification, art authentication, and historical preservation cases.
Professor Petraco specializes in laboratory analysis of forensic evidence, trace evidence, art authentication as well as Crime Scene Investigation, and Crime Scene and Event Reconstruction. He will join author Helen A. Harrison in discussing his work and the authentication of the last Jackson Pollack painting.
Location: East Hampton Library
FICTION PANEL:
Trust No One: Psychological Thrillers
Lucinda Berry, Alyssa Cole, Jason Rekulak
Moderator: Clémence Michallon
Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall
11:30am-12:20pm:
TRUE CRIME PANEL:
Little Sister: The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood
Lana Wood will virtually join CSI Investigator Sheryl McCollum for a conversation
Was it accident or murder? The mysterious drowning death of actress Natalie Wood in 1981 has for years captivated the public’s attention. Questions surrounding how she died and who was to blame have long been debated and there are still conclusions yet to be found.
Natalie’s sister, Lana Wood, will join Sheryl McCollum virtually to speak her truth about the case. An actress herself, Lana has an insider perspective into the world of Hollywood glitz and glamour. Through her own investigative research, Lana’s knowledge of the case can help provide answers to the many questions surrounding Natalie’s tragic death.
Location: East Hampton Library
FICTION PANEL:
Guest of Honor Interview: Lucy Foley
In conversation with Abby Endler
Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall
12:30-1:30pm:
William Morrow Tea & Book Signing
Featuring Alyssa Cole, Guest of Honor Lucy Foley, and Honorary Founding Co-Chair A.J. Finn
Location: East Hampton Library
Book Signing featuring fiction & true crime authors from morning panels
Location: Clinton Academy
1-1:50pm:
TRUE CRIME PANEL:
A Jury of My Peers: Secrets of the Jury Selection Process
Trial Attorney & Civil Rights Lawyer, Cary London and Trial Consultant & Lawyer, Jacob Rolls
How does implicit bias factor in to jury selection? What are the consequences? This presentation will explore our right to a trial by jury by tracing the history of discrimination in jury selection – from the framing of the U.S. Constitution to the present day. We'll see how lawyers fight for it, how judges allow it, and how pop culture has documented it.
Location: East Hampton Library
2-2:50pm:
TRUE CRIME PANEL:
Podcasts and the Creation of the Armchair Detective
With Podcast Host, Death Investigator & Author, Joseph Scott Morgan
The emergence of the true crime podcast has radically changed the public’s involvement in high profile criminal cases. By reaching vast audiences across the world, podcasts highlight both the fascination society has for crime and justice and the integral part they can play in solving these crimes. Join Joseph Scott Morgan, host of the widely popular podcast ‘Body Bags’, as he explores a world that not many have had a chance to visit, the realm of death.
Joe Scott Morgan and co-host Dave Mack lead listeners on a journey through the blood-soaked death scenes of America and then into the autopsy room to fully understand the science behind each case. Joe Scott Morgan is one of America’s leading experts on applied forensics and is regularly featured on ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’, ‘The Piketon Massacre’, Court TV, and more.
Location: East Hampton Library
FICTION PANEL:
From YA to Adult Thrillers: Cross-Genre Bestsellers
Ashley Elston and Emiko Jean
Moderator: Carrie Doyle
Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall
3-3:50pm:
TRUE CRIME PANEL:
The Art of FBI Interrogation
With Scott Duffey, FBI Supervisory Special Agent, retired
Scott Duffey can tell when you are lying. And he knows how to get the truth out of you. And you. And you. Now retired as an FBI interrogator, he’s willing to share the tricks of his trade. More.
Location: East Hampton Library
FICTION PANEL:
When the Past Comes Calling
Vera Kurian, Jessa Maxwell, Carter Wilson
Moderator: Tessa Wegert
Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall
4-4:50pm:
TRUE CRIME PANEL:
Wrongly Accused and Rightfully Exonerated
Special Counsel Martin H. Tankleff, wrongfully convicted and exonerated after 17 years, in conversation with Broadcast Journalist Kristin Thorne
Martin H. Tankleff was wrongfully convicted on June 28, 1990, for the murder of his parents, Seymour and Arlene, two years earlier.
At the time of his arrest, Mr. Tankleff was a 17-year-old student, embarking on his senior year of high school. After being sentenced to two consecutive terms of 25 years to life, Mr. Tankleff filed a 2003 appeal with new evidence from almost two dozen witnesses. Marty’s conviction was overturned, and he was released on December 27th, 2007 after nearly 17½ years in prison.
After Marty was exonerated, he was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2020. Marty now works as Special Counsel at Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco, a boutique litigation firm where he specializes in wrongful convictions, prisoner and civil rights, while working hand in hand with other members of the firm on criminal defense, civil matters, and related legal matters. Marty’s zealous advocacy for those who have been wrongly convicted stems from his own personal experience, which he will discuss with award-winning veteran broadcast journalist Kristin Thorne.
Location: East Hampton Library
FICTION PANEL:
Skeletons in the Closet: Family Secrets
Shari Lapena, Clémence Michallon, Jason Rekulak
Moderator: Abby Endler
Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall
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.
Location: 28 James Lane. Rain or shine.
FICTION PANEL:
Guest of Honor Interview: Tess Gerritsen
In conversation with A. J. Finn
Location: St Luke’s Hoie Hall
6-6:50pm: Book Signing featuring Fiction & true crime authors from afternoon panels
Location: Clinton Academy
5-6:30:
I THINK I KNOW WHODUNIT
Happy Hour with Forensic Experts
Join our forensic experts for happy hour at Village Bistro to test out your theory of the cases that haunt you. Or if you want to further discuss the panels that you witnessed during our festival and share your thoughts on what really happened, this is the time to do it! No tickets required.
Food and beverages at discounted prices.
Location: Village Bistro, 10 Main Street
Trivia Night, 7-9pm
Join some of your favorite authors and fellow festival goers to test your knowledge of all things crime and thriller! Hosted by our Fiction Director Abby Endler of @crimebythebook and sponsored by Bottle Hampton, this event will allow attendees to work together alongside bestselling crime writers to answer trivia questions in a pub quiz-style special event.
Tickets: $75 includes beverages and small plates.
Location: St. Luke’s Hoie Hall
Additional Dates:
