Shortlist for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and McDermid Debut Novel announced

SHORTLISTS FOR THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2025 AND McDERMID DEBUT AWARD REVEALED

Celebrating the very best in crime fiction from new discoveries and superstars of the genre 

Festival Dates: 17 – 20 July 2025

www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com

#TheakstonsAwards #TheakstonsCrime

Thursday 5 June 2025: Harrogate International Festivals has announced the shortlists for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025, the UK and Ireland’s most prestigious crime fiction award, and the McDermid Debut Award for new writers. The winners of both awards will be revealed on the opening night of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Thursday 17 July.  

The six books shortlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025, now in its twenty-first year, showcase outstanding storytelling, with some of the most innovative and exciting writers in the UK, Chris Brookmyre, M.W. Craven, Elly Griffiths, Abir Mukherjee, Marie Tierney and Chris Whitaker, competing for the coveted award. The winner, who receives £3,000 and a handmade, engraved oak beer cask provided by T&R Theakston Ltd, will be selected by a panel of seven expert judges, with the public vote representing the eighth judge. Readers are now invited to vote for their favourite book to win at www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com.   

Stunning debut novel Deadly Animals by rising starcMarie Tierney, a thriller centred on a roadkill obsessed teenager’s daring quest to unravel the truth behind the string of chilling deaths plaguing her Birmingham community, which won the inaugural McDermid Debut Award in 2024, is shortlisted alongside books by five highly established writers.

Three former winners are in contention for the award, including 2017 champion Chris Brookmyre who is nominated for his innovative thriller, The Cracked Mirror, which sees a hard-bitten homicide detective and an old lady who has solved multiple murders in her sleepy village crack an impossible case. 2021 winner Chris Whitaker is shortlisted for All the Colours of the Dark, a million-copy US-set bestseller exploring the aftermath of a childhood kidnapping that reverberates through the generations, alongside 2023 champion M.W. Craven, nominated for The Mercy Chair, the mesmerising sixth book in the bestselling Washington Poe series, set in Cumbria, where Poe and Tilly face brutal killings that push them to the edges of justice and morality.

Highly commended in 2023, Elly Griffiths receives an impressive seventh shortlisting for The Last Word, a twisty cosy crime murder mystery set at a sinister writers' retreat where two amateur sleuths join forces with detective Harbinder Kaur to investigate the suspicious death of an author. An alumni of the Festival’s celebrated ‘New Blood’ panel supporting fresh talent, Abir Mukherjee is shortlisted for Hunted, a race-against-the-clock thriller about two parents desperately tracking down their children who are suspected of terrorist atrocities.

The full Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025 Shortlist (in alphabetical order by surname) is: 

The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre (Little, Brown Book Group, Abacus) 

The Mercy Chair by M.W. Craven (Little, Brown Book Group, Constable) 

The Last Word by Elly Griffiths (Quercus Books, Quercus Fiction) 

Hunted by Abir Mukherjee (Vintage; Harvill Secker) 

Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney (Bonnier Books, Zaffre) 

All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (Orion, Orion Fiction) 

Commenting on the shortlist for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025, Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston, said: 

“Congratulations to all of the highly talented writers shortlisted for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. The six thrilling, chilling and hugely entertaining novels on our shortlist highlight the exceptional depth and range of British crime fiction and offer something for every crime fiction fan. We urge readers to get involved and vote for their favourite novels to win the Award - and the iconic beer cask trophy - so have your say today!” 

The shortlist for the McDermid Debut Award, named in recognition of world-famous crime writer Val McDermid, now in its second year, showcases six ‘exciting fresh voices,’ with race, class, the abuse of power and lived experience of disability amongst the topical themes explored across a range of subgenres including psychological thrillers, contemporary country house mysteries, detective fiction and spy thrillers. The award has quickly established a successful track record for discovering emerging talent as inaugural winner, Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney, has been shortlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025

Acclaimed broadcaster Louise Minchin is shortlisted for Agatha Christie inspired crime novel Isolation Island, set on a remote Scottish island where ten strangers take part in a gruelling reality TV show which turns deadly once a body is discovered. Another shortlisted novel with a Christie-inspired setting is I Died At Fallow Hall by Bonnie Burke-Patel, a contemporary country house mystery exploring identity, family, race and gender, as dark secrets from the past are unravelled after a young woman’s body is found in a flower bed. 

Featuring an unforgettable female protagonist, Nilesha Chauvet’s post-Me Too thriller Her Two Lives, about a woman who runs a care home by day and hunts down the men who prey on young girls by night, is written with deep psychological insight. Sick to Death by former NHS nurse, Chris Bridges explores the marginalised perspective of a disabled woman who, fed up of being underestimated, becomes a force to be reckoned with when she targets the person standing in the way of her dreams.

Smashing outmoded stereotypes is also a central theme of Sean Watkin’s thriller Black Water Rising, featuring a gay detective out to prove he’s more than just a diversity hire by finding a killer on the loose in Liverpool. Completing the shortlist is A Reluctant Spy by Scottish writer David Goodman, a topical story of mercenaries, greed and corruption about a tech executive forced to act as a trained espionage operative in order to avert a global conflict.

Honouring internationally bestselling crime writer, Val McDermid, who helped to co-found the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in 2003 and whose dedication to fostering new voices in crime fiction is legendary, this new Award seeks to continue her legacy, celebrating and platforming the best debut crime writers in the UK. The shortlist was selected by a panel of established crime and thriller writers and the winner will be decided by a panel of expert judges, without a public vote. All shortlisted authors receive a full weekend pass to the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and the Winner will receive a £500 cash prize. 

Val McDermid said: 

“If, like me, you love reading, you’re always on the lookout for exciting fresh voices. And you need look no further than this talented selection of debut authors who will thrill, excite and intrigue you. Happy Reading!”

The full McDermid Debut Award 2024 shortlist (in alphabetical order by surname) is:  

Sick to Death by Chris Bridges (Avon, Harper Collins)  

I Died at Fallow Hall by Bonnie Burke-Patel (No Exit Press, Bedford Square)  

Her Two Lives by Nilesha Chauvet (Faber & Faber)  

A Reluctant Spy by David Goodman (Headline)  

Isolation Island by Louise Minchin (Headline, Headline Fiction)  

Black Water Rising by Sean Watkin (Canelo)  

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“We’re delighted to finally reveal the shortlists for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and the McDermid Debut Award, celebrating new talent. It’s exciting to see such a wide range of sub-genres represented across the shortlists, and timely themes tackled with such originality and insight. We are looking forward to celebrating all of these incredible shortlisted writers and their brilliant books at what promises to be an unmissable awards ceremony on the opening night of the Festival.”

McIlvanney Prize 2024 Shortlist

 

The Shortlist for the McIlvanney Prize has been announced by Bloody Scotland. The award, previously known as the Bloody Scotland Prize for Scottish Crime Writing, will be presented on Friday 13 September 2024 on the first night of the Bloody Scotland Festival. 

Congratulations to all the nominated authors. 

Longlist for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2024 Revealed

 

Harrogate International Festivals announced the 18 titles long-listed for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2024, the UK and Ireland’s most prestigious crime fiction award now in its twentieth year.

The longlist, voted for by an academy of crime writing authors, agents, editors, reviewers and members of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Programming Committee, features stories that transport readers from the burning heat of the Chihuahuan Desert to the chill of nineties Berlin, from down-at-heel Blackpool to the splendour of Georgian London. Crime fiction fans are now invited to vote for their favourite novels to reach the shortlist, with the winner of the coveted Award announced on the opening night of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Thursday 18 July.

Six former winners are vying for top honours, including 2023 champion MW Craven, who is longlisted for his high-octane US-set thriller Fearless, alongside Queen of Crime Val McDermid for cold case mystery Past Lying, and Mick Herron, the author behind Apple TV’s smash-hit series ‘Slow Horses,’ for his elegant stand-alone spy novel The Secret Hours. Also nominated are Chris Brookmyre’s edgy thriller about a murderous hen party on a remote Scottish island, The Cliff House, two times winner Mark Billingham’s The Last Dance, the first novel in his captivating new Blackpool-set detective series and Clare Mackintosh’s reality TV set thriller A Game of Lies. Ann Cleeves, who was awarded the Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award in 2023 adds to this illustrious list, nominated for her atmospheric detective novel The Raging Storm.  

Among the five hugely talented rising stars longlisted for the first time are Jo Callaghan, nominated for her stunningly original debut In the Blink of An Eye, which introduces intriguing detective duo DCS Kat Frank and her AI colleague Lock, and William Hussey for serial-killer thriller Killing Jericho featuring crime fiction’s first Traveller detective. They are up against Jack Jordan’s addictive legal thriller Conviction, missing persons investigation The Last Goodbye by Tim Weaver, and Oxford-set detective novel The Broken Afternoon by Simon Mason.

Showcasing the range of crime fiction subgenres, Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s atmospheric Georgian-set historical crime novel The Square of Sevens, Lisa Jewell’s tantalising domestic noir None of This is True, propulsive thriller You Can Run by New Blood 2020 alumni Trevor Wood and The Last Remains, Elly Griffiths’ final Dr Ruth Gallow mystery, join the 2024 longlist.

Completing the line-up are two phenomenally talented Irish crime writers: Jane Casey for her gripping DS Maeve Kerrigan novel The Close and four-times Irish Book Award winner Liz Nugent for her unnerving thriller Strange Sally Diamond.

The full Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2024 longlist (in alphabetical order by surname) is: -

• The Last Dance by Mark Billingham (Sphere; Little, Brown Book Group)

• The Cliff House by Chris Brookmyre (Abacus; Little, Brown Book Group)

• In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan (Simon & Schuster UK)

• The Close by Jane Casey (Harper Fiction; Harper Collins)

• The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves (Pan Macmillan)

• Fearless by M W Craven (Constable; Little, Brown Book Group)

• The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths (Quercus)

• The Secret Hours by Mick Herron (Baskerville; John Murray Press)

• Killing Jericho by William Hussey (Zaffre, Bonnier)

• None of This is True by Lisa Jewell (Century; Cornerstone)

• Conviction by Jack Jordan (Simon & Schuster)

• A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh (Sphere; Little, Brown Book Group)

• The Broken Afternoon by Simon Mason (riverrun; Quercus)

• Past Lying by Val McDermid (Sphere; Little, Brown Book Group)

• Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent (Sandycove; Penguin Ireland)

• The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson (Pan Macmillan)

• The Last Goodbye by Tim Weaver (Michael Joseph; Penguin Random House)

• You Can Run by Trevor Wood (Quercus)

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston, said:

“We are delighted to announce the 2024 longlist for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, which truly showcases the depth and breadth of the UK and Ireland’s best crime fiction novels from the past year. The Award is an exciting part of the Festival, and with so many talented writers nominated – both new and established – we’re excited to find out who the public vote for this year.”

The Award is presented by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by T&R Theakston Ltd, in partnership with Waterstones and Daily Express, and is open to full-length crime novels published in paperback between 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024. The public are invited to vote to help create a shortlist of six titles from 8am on Thursday 25 April at www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com

Voting closes on Thursday 16 May, with the shortlist announced on Thursday 13 June. The winner will be revealed on the opening night of Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Thursday 18 July, receiving £3,000 and a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by T&R Theakston Ltd.

2024 Capital Crime Programme

 LEONARDO ST PAUL’S, LONDON

30 MAY - 1 JUNE 2024

WWW.CAPITALCRIME.ORG    

THURSDAY 30TH MAY

Registration for Capital Crime 2024 12:00 - 18:00

Goldsboro Bookshop open from 12:30 – 19:30

LONDON STAGE

1. The Anatomy of a Crime: From Crime to Conviction. A factual, entertainment driven, account of the timeline from crime to conviction presented to you by specialists in their field live on stage. Experience crime scene briefings to bitesize trial and have your say in whether the accused is guilty or should walk free! Perfect for: Those writing crime novels looking for a factual representation of the events from crime to conviction; Those who want to see some of their favourite authors execute their day jobs including: Senior Investigating Officer, Detective, Crime Scene Investigator, Judge and Barristers.  With  Judge - Nicola Williams  Barrister - Helen Fields  Barrister - Nadine Matheson  Senior Investigating Officer - Graham Bartlett            Crime Scene Manager - Kate Bendelow            Detective Inspector - Kate London

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 1 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

2. Whose Crime is it Anyway? Capital Crime’s Debut Quiz Show Two teams (made up of five debut authors on each team) test their knowledge of each other’s books. The game show style event will be presented by actor Paul Clayton who will guide the teams through the rounds in the following format. The aim of our quiz is to stage an engaging, entertaining event for both audience and authors, and help welcome debut authors to the crime community with their peers.  Team 'Moguls of Mystery' Katrin Juliusdottir, T. M. Payne, Suzy Aspley, Roxie Key and Claire Coughlan vs.  Team 'Thoroughbreds of Thrillers' Claire Wilson, Liza North, Tom Baragwanath, Fiona McPhillips and Ellie Keel

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 2 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

3. Goldsboro Books’ 2024 Class of Debut Authors with Jennie Godfrey, Sarah Brooks and Samuel Burr moderated by David Headley

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 3 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

4. Rob Rinder’s SUSPECT Authors: A Game of Two Truths and A Lie where nothing is quite as it seems... with Claire McGowan, Joseph Knox and Louise Candlish

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 4 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

5. Breaking the Fourth Wall: Prolific Powerhouses Anthony Horowitz and Elly Griffiths talk about writing authors as fictional characters, creating impossible puzzles, and making improbable stories probable!

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 5 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

6. LEADING WOMEN: TENNISON AND VERA MEET Lynda La Plante and Ann Cleeves in conversation with Lisa Howells on shattering the glass ceiling in male dominated worlds, creating internationally-loved characters with longevity, and would Tennison and Vera work well together on a case?

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 6 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

PUBLIC EVENTS OUTSIDE OF THE SCHEDULE: All WEEKEND & DAY TICKET HOLDERS WELCOME

12:00 – 13:45 DHH Pitch An Agent Session

19:30 – 21:00 The Annual Capital Crime Fingerprint Award Ceremony. Hosted by Paul Clayton. Taking place on the London Stage, Category finalists will be announced on 4 April 2024.

FRIDAY 31ST MAY 2024 

Registration for Capital Crime 2023 9:30 - 17:30 

Goldsboro Bookshop open from 10:00 - 19:30 

Time	LONDON STAGE	GOLDSBORO BOOKS STAGE
10:00-10:50	1. Classic Crime for the Modern Age with C. L. Miller, Tom Hindle and Paula Sutton in conversation with participating moderator Ian Moore	2. Sins of the Past: Historical Crime with L. C. Tyler, Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Sally Smith with participating moderator S. J. Parris
	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 1 & 2 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 1 & 2 in the Goldsboro Books on-site bookshop
11:05 – 11:55	3. The Art of Revenge with Steve Cavanagh, Nilesha Chauvet, Saima Mir and participating moderator Araminta Hall	4. The Following Books are Based on a True Story with Hallie Rubenhold, Linda Calvey, Eleni Kyriacou  and participating moderator Matt Nixson
	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 3 & 4in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 3 & 4in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop
12:10 – 13:00	5. Finding A Balance: Combining Social Tensions, Morality and ‘Entertainment Factor’ in Crime Fiction with Kellye Garratt and Vaseem Khan in conversation with participating moderator Ed James	6. A Violent Heart: Deadly Relationships with Lily Samson, Kristina Perez, David Fennell and participating moderator Fiona Cummins
	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 5 & 6 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 5 & 6 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop
	Lunch	Lunch
14:00 – 14:50	7. Bingeable Series: The beauty of falling in love with a series with Stig Abell, Will Dean, Erin Young and participating moderator Tariq Ashkanani	8. Dissecting Science’s Impact on Crime Fiction with Jo Callaghan, Marie Tierney, Jack Anderson and participating moderator Dr Shahed Yousaf
	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 7 & 8 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 7 & 8 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop
15:05 – 15:55	9. Argylle: Authors of Mystery Tammy Cohen and Terry Hayes in conversation with Jake Kerridge	10. Playing with Ghosts: Haunting pasts and not-so-hidden horrors with Natalie Marlow, Kaaron Warren, Syd Moore and participating moderator Anita Frank
	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 9 & 10 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 9 & 10 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

16:10 -17:00	11. The Locked In Feast with Alex Michaelides and participating moderator Lucy Foley A succulent conversation that will quench your appetite for all things ‘locked in’ - from isolated islands to dinner parties gone wrong these bestselling authors spill the beans on creating the perfect cast of characters and that authors that have influenced them.
	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 11 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop
17:15 – 18:05	12.A Culture of Armchair Detectives: A J Finn & Lisa Jewell interviewed by Nadine Matheson Discussing the appeal of catching 'detective fever', and when the police get it wrong can only authors, podcasters and armchair detectives save us?
	SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 12 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop
18:15 – 19:10	13. Compulsive Crime: Mass consuming your favourite books and TV shows is not a new phenomenon, but it is certainly more popular than ever before. These bestselling authors reveal their secret to creating compelling characters and stories that we just can't get enough of and what it's like keeping up with demand. With A. A. Dhand, M. W. Craven & Jane Casey and participating moderator S J Watson
	PUBLIC EVENTS OUTSIDE OF THE SCHEDULE: All WEEKEND & DAY TICKET HOLDERS WELCOME
	LAUNCH PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON
20:30 – 22:00	CRIME QUIZ hosted by A. J. West on the London Stage Are you ready to put your crime knowledge to the test in this hilarious quiz night?

SATURDAY 1ST JUNE 2024 

Registration for Capital Crime 2023 

9:30 - 17:00 Goldsboro Bookshop open from 10:00 - 19:00 

Time	LONDON STAGE	GOLDSBORO BOOKS STAGE
10:00 – 10:50	1. Setting the Pace: A masterclass in adding fuel to high octane thrillers with Kim Sherwood, Sarah Pearse, Eva Björg Ægisdottir, T. M. Logan and participating moderator Abir Mukherjee	2. Murderous Medicine with Christie Watson, Eleanor Barker-White, Ambrose Parry and participating moderator Suzie Edge

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 1 & 2 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

11:05 – 11:55

3. Funny Fiction: Crime and comedy, a match made in heaven! With Suk Pannu, Andrew Hunter Murray and Rev Richard Coles with participating moderator A. J. West

4. From Space to the Psychological: The universal appeal of thrillers with Doug Johnstone , Luca Veste, Becca Day and participating moderator C. M. Ewan

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 3 & 4 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

12:10 – 13:00

5. Tales That Bind: The art of creating multi-layered narratives, settings and characters that will rip your heart out with Chris Whitaker, Vanessa Walters & Erin Kelly moderated by Victoria Selman

6. More Than Meets the Eye: Supernatural Sleuthing with Alice Bell and Kristen Perrin with participating moderator Stuart Neville

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 5 & 6 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

LUNCH

14:00 – 14:50

7. SPECIAL EVENT TO BE ANNOUNCED IN THE COMING

8. One Sitting Reads: What’s the secret to writing books that you just can’t put down? With Ruth Mancini, Greg Mosse, Emma Christie and participating moderator Robert Rutherford

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 7 & 8 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

15:05 – 15:55

9. John Connolly and Mark Billingham in conversation

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 9 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

16:10 -17:00

10. History in the Making with Val McDermid & Kate Mosse in conversation

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 10 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

17:15 – 18:05

11. The Scottish Masters: Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh interviewed by Harriet Tyce

SIGNINGS FROM EVENT 11 in the Goldsboro Books on-site book shop

PUBLIC EVENTS OUTSIDE OF THE SCHEDULE: All WEEKEND & DAY TICKET HOLDERS WELCOME

18:30 – 19:30	The CWA Launch National Crime Writing Month at Capital Crime Lineup coming soon
21:00 – 23:00	FUN LOVIN’ CRIME WRITERS Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Chris Brookmyre, Stuart Neville, Luca Veste and Doug Johnstone Rock the London Stage at Capital Crime 2024! (Individual event tickets on sale)

Capital Crime Announces Full Line up!

    

London’s Capital Crime Festival Announces Full Lineup With 50% Of Tickets Already Gone

London’s highly anticipated Capital Crime Festival is back this May 30th to June 1st, with an impressive 50% of weekend tickets already sold before the full schedule was announced this week. Industry giants are set to reveal all at this year's festival, giving guests the unprecedented opportunity to delve into the secrets behind their favourite mysteries, and even meet their crime fiction heroes face to face in this three day crime spectacular.

Included in the mega line up this year is Hugh Howey, the brilliant mind behind Apple TV’s Silo, Elly Griffiths, the creative force driving the Dr. Ruth Galloway series, Val McDermid, whose literary works served as the inspiration for Wire In The Blood, and Ann Cleeves, the genius behind beloved characters Vera and Jimmy Perez from Shetland. And that’s not all, fan favourite band, Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, will be playing their first show in London for several years.

Festival Director Lizzie Curle commented: “The uptake in tickets this year has been phenomenal. 50% of weekend tickets were sold out before the complete schedule was unveiled, underscoring the escalating demand for crime fiction. It's evident that people are seeking escapism in the current climate, and this heightened interest is substantiated by the data on Google Trends - searches for terms like 'murder mystery books' have surged by an impressive 350% in the last year!

Featuring over 100 renowned writers of crime and thriller, the festival will host over 30 different events, from exclusive launch parties, thought-provoking talks and panels, interactive quiz shows and book signings throughout three jam-packed days. Huge notable names confirmed include:

• Ian Rankin, creator of Inspector Rebus

• Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh

• Ann Cleeves, author of the Vera and Shetland series

• Rising star of US crime fiction Kellye Garrett

• Author and barrister Rob Rinder

• Alex Michaelides, author of the global bestseller The Silent Patient

• And bestselling author and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz

Also returning are the festival’s Fingerprint Awards, which this year saw authors including Erin Kelly and Adele Parks celebrated; and the social outreach initiative, which aims to demystify the industry for young Londoners considering a career in publishing.

Standard weekend and day tickets are on sale now whilst stocks last, along with individual event tickets at a limited capacity. Due to the increased demand for tickets this year those interested in attending are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

Inaugural McDermid Debut Award launched.

                              

Harrogate International Festivals launches inaugural 

McDermid Debut Award 

to spotlight new generation of crime writing talent 

Festival Dates: 18 – 21 July 2024 

www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com 

#Theakstons Awards 

14th March 2024 : Submissions have opened for Harrogate International Festivals ’ new award, the McDermid Debut Award for new writers, offering a unique opportunity to be recognised among the best in the crime fiction genre . The Award will be presented on the opening night of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival ,the world’s largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction. 

Named in recognition of world-famous crime writer,Val McDermid, who co- founded the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in 2003 and whose dedication to fostering new voices in crime fiction through the New Blood panel is legendary, this new Award seeks to continue her legacy, celebrating and platforming the best debut crime writers in the UK. 

Val McDermid said: ‘Curating the New Blood panel over twenty years exposed me to an extraordinary range of crime fiction I might otherwise have missed. I’m hoping that this new a ward will do the same for the army of avid readers out there looking for new talent.’ 

The McDermid Debut Award is open to full- length debut crime novels by UK and Irish authors published for the first time in hardback or paperback original between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024, with submission s closing on the 21st March . A shortlist of six titles, selected by an academy of established crime and thriller authors, will be announced on Thursday 13th June, with the winner determined by a judging panel of industry experts, including literary, broadcasting and media figures. All shortlisted authors will receive a full weekend pass to the Festival. The Award will be presented at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards event on Thursday 18th July , the opening night of the Festival , with the winner receiving a £500 cash prize. 

Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, Sharon Canavar, said: ‘We are delighted to announce this new award honouring Val McDermid, one of the icons of the genre, and we can’t wait to discover the stars of the future, be they writers of psychological thrillers or murder mysteries.’ 

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, commented: ‘The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has always highlighted the best in crime fiction and the new McDermid Debut Award will help readers discover the next generation of crime fiction authors. I am sure this new award will attract even more of the best of crime writing talent and I very much looking forward to welcoming them along with all our friends t o this year’s Harrogate gathering.’ 

Submissions are also now open for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year , the UK and Ireland’s most prestigious crime and thriller writing award. Previous winners include Mick Herron, Lee Child, Stef Penney, Val McDermid, Clare Mackintosh, Mark Billingham, Chris Brookmyre, Steve Cavanagh and Denise Mina. 

KEY AWARD DATES: 

• The McDermid Debut Award and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year are currently open for submissions . The deadline for receipt of entries is 23.59 (GMT) Thursday, 21st March . 

•The Shortlists of the McDermid Debut Award and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year will be announced on Thursday 13^th June . 

• Both Awards, along with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction will be presented at the opening n ight of the Festival on Thursday 18^th July. 

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival , which celebrates its 21^st year in 2024, is delivered by the north of England’s leading arts Festival organisation, Harrogate International Festivals, and forms part of their diverse year- round portfolio of events, which aims to bring immersive cultural experiences to as many people as possible. 

This year’s event is curated by bestselling crime writer and 2024 Festival Programming Chair Ruth Ware, with the programming committee, and Special Guests include global bestsellers and fan favourites Chris Carter, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths, Erin Kelly, Vaseem Khan, Dorothy Koomson, Shari Lapena, Abir Mukherjee, Liz Nugent and Richard Osman. Classic Weekend Break Packages, Author Dinners and tickets for Creative Thursday are on sale now. 

To book tickets, please call +44(0)1423 562 303 or email:- info@harrogate- festival.org.uk . More information about tickets and packages can be found here. The full programme for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival will be announced in April 2024 . 

Murder by the Book: A Celebration of 20th Century British Crime Fiction

 Murder by the Book: A Celebration of 20th Century 

British Crime Fiction

23 March – 24 August 2024

Monday – Friday 9am – 6:30pm

Saturday 9am – 4:30pm

Closed Sundays, and 29 March to 1 April 2024 inclusive 

Booking is essential. Entry is FREE.

Crime fiction is the UK's most read, bought and borrowed genre. Cambridge University Library draws on its world-leading collections of British crime fiction to stage a murderously good exhibition! 

Bringing together literature, culture and heritage, Murder by the Book: A Celebration of 20th Century British Crime Fiction illuminates and celebrates the stories of the UK’s most popular fiction writing. Curated by award-winning crime novelist Nicola Upson, the Library's exhibition challenges traditional distinctions between literary fiction and genre fiction. Murder by the Book examines crime’s place in our literary history and the Library’s own Special Collections. 

The exhibition showcases rare books and audio-visual recordings looking at the genre from its origins in the works of Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens to contemporary best-sellers Val McDermid and Ian Rankin. 

With first editions of The Moonstone and Bleak House, as well as Sherlock Holmes' debut appearance, the exhibition also looks at the Library’s remarkable collections and stylish dust jackets that represent more than a century of British book design. 

Tickets can be booked here.

Curated by crime novelist Nicola Upson.

2024 Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominations

 

Mystery Writers of America have announced the nominees for the 2024 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television published or produced in 2023. The 78th Annual Edgar® Awards will be presented on May 1, 2024, at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square.

BEST NOVEL

Flags on the Bayou by James Lee Burke (Grove Atlantic – Atlantic Monthly Press)

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby (Flatiron Books)

The Madwomen of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein (Penguin Random House – Ballantine Books)

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (Simon & Schuster – Simon Element – Marysue Rucci Books)

An Honest Man by Michael Koryta (Hachette Book Group – Little, Brown and Company – Mulholland Books)

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger (Simon & Schuster – Atria Books)

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead (Penguin Random House – Doubleday)

BEST FIRST NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR

The Peacock and the Sparrow by I.S. Berry (Simon & Schuster – Atria Books)

The Golden Gate by Amy Chua (Macmillan Publishing – Minotaur Books)

Small Town Sins by Ken Jaworowski (Macmillan Publishing – Henry Holt and Co.)

The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch (Penguin Random House – Berkley)

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji (Simon & Schuster)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Boomtown by A.F. Carter (Penzler Publishers - Mysterious Press)

Hide by Tracy Clark (Amazon Publishing – Thomas & Mercer)

The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey (Amazon Publishing – Thomas & Mercer)

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Penguin Random House - Berkley)

Lowdown Road by Scott Von Doviak (Hard Case Crime)

BEST FACT CRIME

In Light of All Darkness: Inside the Polly Klaas Kidnapping and the Search for America's Child by Kim Cross (Hachette Book Group – Grand Central Publishing)

Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall by Zeke Faux (Penguin Random House – Crown Currency)

Tangled Vines: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders by John Glatt (Macmillan Publishers – St. Martin’s Press)

Crooked: The Roaring '20s Tale of a Corrupt Attorney General, a Crusading Senator, and the Birth of the American Political Scandal by Nathan Masters (Hachette Book Group Hachette Books)

I Know Who You Are: How an Amateur DNA Sleuth Unmasked the Golden State Killer and Changed Crime Fighting Forever by Barbara Rae-Venter (Penguin Random House Ballantine Books)

The Lost Sons of Omaha: Two Young Men in an American Tragedy by Joe Sexton (Simon & Schuster – Scribner)

BEST CRITICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL

Perplexing Plots: Popular Storytelling and the Poetics of Murder by David Bordwell (Columbia University Press)

Spillane: King of Pulp Fiction by Max Allan Collins & James L. Traylor (Penzler Publishers – Mysterious Press)

A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Mark Dawidziak (Macmillan Publishing - St. Martin's Press)

Fallen Angel: The Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Robert Morgan (LSU Press)

Love Me Fierce in Danger - The Life of James Ellroy by Steven Powell (Bloomsbury Publishing - Bloomsbury Academic)

BEST SHORT STORY

"Hallowed Ground," by Linda Castillo (Macmillan Publishers – Minotaur Books)

"Thriller," Thriller by Heather Graham (Blackstone Publishing)

"Miss Direction," Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September-October 2023 by Rob Osler (Dell Magazines)

“The Rise," Amazon Original Stories by Ian Rankin (Amazon Publishing)

“Pigeon Tony’s Last Stand," Amazon Original Stories by Lisa Scottoline (Amazon Publishing)

BEST JUVENILE

Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity by Elizabeth C. Bunce (Hachette Book Group – Workman Publishing – Algonquin Young Readers)

The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto by Adrianna Cuevas (Macmillan Publishers – Farrar, Straus and Giroux BFYR)

Epic Ellisons: Cosmos Camp by Lamar Giles (HarperCollins Publishers – Versify)

The Jules Verne Prophecy by Larry Schwarz & Iva-Marie Palmer (Hachette Book Group Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski (HarperCollins Publishers – Quill Tree Books)

BEST YOUNG ADULT

Girl Forgotten by April Henry (Hachette Book Group – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

Star Splitter by Matthew J. Kirby (Penguin Young Readers – Dutton Books for Young Readers)

The Sharp Edge of Silence by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum (HarperCollins Publishers – Quill Tree Books)

My Flawless Life by Yvonne Woon (HarperCollins Publishers – Katherine Tegen Books)

Just Do This One Thing for Me by Laura Zimmerman (Penguin Young Readers – Dutton Books for Young Readers)

BEST TELEVISION EPISODE TELEPLAY

“Time of the Monkey" – Poker Face, Written by Wyatt Cain & Charlie Peppers (Peacock)

“I’m a Pretty Observant Guy” – Will Trent, Written by Liz Heldens (ABC)

“Dead Man’s Hand" – Poker Face, Written by Rian Johnson (Peacock)

“Hózhó Náhásdlii (Beauty is Restore)" – Dark Winds, Written by Graham Roland & John Wirth (AMC)

“Escape from Shit Mountain" – Poker Face, Written by Nora Zuckerman & Lilla Zuckerman (Peacock)

ROBERT L. FISH MEMORIAL AWARD – Endowed by the family of Robert L. Fish.

"Errand for a Neighbor," Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January-February 2023 by Bill Bassman (Dell Magazines)

"The Body in Cell Two,” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May-June 2023 by Kate Hohl (Dell Magazines)

“The Soiled Dove of Shallow Hollow,” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January-February 2023 by Sean McCluskey (Dell Magazines)

“It’s Half Your Fault,” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July-August 2023 by Meghan Leigh Paulk (Dell Magazines)

“Two Hours West of Nothing,” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September-October 2023 by Gabriela Stiteler (Dell Magazines) 

THE SIMON & SCHUSTER MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD Presented on behalf of Simon & Schuster.

Play the Fool by Lina Chern (Penguin Random House – Bantam)

The Bones of the Story by Carol Goodman (HarperCollins Publishers – William Morrow)

Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings (Macmillan Publishers – Minotaur Books)

The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard by Kate Robards (Crooked Lane Books)

Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters (Penguin Random House – Berkley)

THE G.P. PUTNAM’S SONS SUE GRAFTON MEMORIAL AWARD Presented on behalf of G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

Hard Rain by Samantha Jayne Allen (Macmillan Publishers – Minotaur Books)

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo (Macmillan Publishers – Minotaur Books)

Bad, Bad Seymour Brown by Susan Isaacs (Grove Atlantic – Atlantic Monthly Press)

Past Lying by Val McDermid (Grove Atlantic – Atlantic Monthly Press)

A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor (Macmillan Publishers – Minotaur Books)

THE LILIAN JACKSON BRAUN MEMORIAL AWARD Endowed by the estate of Lilian Jackson Braun.

Glory Be by Danielle Arceneaux (Pegasus Books – Pegasus Crime)

Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien (Macmillan – St. Martin’s Paperbacks)

Hot Pot Murder by Jennifer J. Chow (Penguin Random House – Berkley)

Murder of an Amish Bridegroom by Patricia Johns (Crooked Lane Books)

The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell (Crooked Lane Books)