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Clare Balding, David Olusoga and Harriet Tyce talk to Philippa Perry

Lies and Deceit: Why Are We So Attracted to Deception?

Hay Festival 2026, 

Crime titles dominate the best-seller lists. Crime dramas fill our screens. And the biggest TV show of the year has us all rooting for deceit, deception and dastardly duplicity against the honesty of the faithful. We bring together a round table of our own to analyse the irresistible pull of the villain and what makes a good liar – with sports presenter Clare Balding, broadcaster David Olusoga and crime author Harriet Tyce talking to psychologist Philippa Perry.