CRIME and punishment will be very much on the agenda when top crime writers talk about their latest whodunnits at this year’s Dulverton and Exmoor Literary Festival, which runs from November 14 to 17.

But the mysterious world of cloaks and daggers will be only one of many literary attractions at the festival.

This year, organisers have brought together a glittering array of literary figures including Margaret Thatcher biographer Ian Dale, the author of a new book on Prince Andrew, Andrew Lownie, history best-seller Ian MacGregor, and food writer and MasterChef judge William Sitwell.

Journalist, author and academic John Cornwell will talk to media personality Rachel Johnson about ‘Earth to Earth’, which investigates the true story of the violent deaths in 1975 of three middle-aged members of the Luxton family on the edge of Exmoor, found shot in the head in an apparent suicide pact.

Hannah Richell is the author of international bestsellers.

In her latest crime thriller ‘One Dark Night’, the body of a young woman is discovered in the woods.

Convincingly real characters are combined with a wonderfully atmospheric setting.

Amy McCulloch is the author of eight novels.

‘Runner 13’ is her third thriller, drawing from her ultra-running experience.

Lead character Adri trained for pain, heat, and exhaustion - but not to outrun a killer.

The festival will also celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, with lifelong Austen fan Jessica Bull launching her third ‘Miss Austen Investigates’ novel, ‘The Austen Christmas Murders’, which casts Jane as a literary sleuth.

Award-winning author Sarah Pearse will be talking about her third thriller ‘The Wilds’ in which the main character leaves her home town to live life on the road, then vanishes without trace.

Festival tickets will be available online only from Monday, September 15, for ‘Festival Friends’, and from September 22 for the public.