Last year the winner of the International Dagger was Dominique Manotti with the Lorraine Connection. Martin Edwards won the Short Story Dagger with his story The Bookbinder's Apprentice. The Dagger in the Library went to Craig Russell while the Debut Dagger was won by Amer Anwar with Western Fringes.
This year The International Dagger certainly has a Scandinavian flair to it with 5 out of the 6 short-listed novels having been written by a Scandinavian author. The only exception is Fred Vargas who has once again been short-listed and who has already won the International Dagger twice. Once in 2007 with Wash this Blood Clean From My Hand and in 2006 with The Three Evangelists.
The Short Story Dagger shortlist has been equally split between UK and US authors and includes a number of well-known names and a relative newcomer to some in the UK scene in the presence of Sean Chercover.
The Dagger in the Library short list covers a wide spectrum which includes the historical, police procedural and thriller sub-genres of crime fiction.
The awards will be given out on July 15 at the Tiger, Tiger Bar, in London. The same evening the short-lists for the Gold Dagger, John Creasey (New Blood) and Ian Fleming Steel Dagger will be announced.
Congratulations to all the nominees!
