Harrogate International Festivals has announced the 18 titles longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2024, now in its twentieth year.
The longlist is voted for by an academy of crime writing authors, agents, editors, reviewers and members of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Programming Committee. 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 on Thursday 18 July.
Six former winners are vying for top honours, including 2023 champion MW Craven, Val McDermid, Mick Herron, Chris Brookmyre, Mark Billingham, and Clare Mackintosh. Ann Cleeves, who was awarded the Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award in 2023 is also nominated.
The five rising stars longlisted for the first time are Jo Callaghan, William Hussey, Jack Jordan, Tim Weaver, and Simon Mason.
Showcasing the range of crime fiction subgenres, Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Lisa Jewell, and Elly Griffiths join the 2024 longlist.
Completing the line-up are two Irish crime writers: Jane Casey and Liz Nugent.
The full Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2024 longlist (in alphabetical order by surname) is:
- The Last Dance by Mark Billingham
- The Cliff House by Chris Brookmyre
- In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan
- The Close by Jane Casey
- The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves
- Fearless by M W Craven
- The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths
- The Secret Hours by Mick Herron
- Killing Jericho by William Hussey
- None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
- Conviction by Jack Jordan
- A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh
- The Broken Afternoon by Simon Mason
- Past Lying by Val McDermid
- Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
- The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
- The Last Goodbye by Tim Weaver
- You Can Run by Trevor Wood
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.
