Harrogate International Festivals has announced the shortlists for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025, and the McDermid Debut Award for new writers.
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025 is the UK and Ireland’s most prestigious crime fiction award.
The winners of both awards will be revealed on the opening night of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Thursday 17 July.
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.
Introduced in 2024, the McDermid Debut Award recognises the best debut authors of crime fiction in the UK and Ireland.
Authors who have already published novels in other genres are not eligible and debut titles must be published for the first time.
Readers are now invited to vote for their favourite book to win at www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com.
Three former winners are in contention for the award, including 2017 champion Chris Brookmyre who is nominated for his innovative thriller, The Cracked Mirror.
- The full Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025 Shortlist 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,has now been revealed.
The full McDermid Debut Award 2024 shortlist 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.”
Readers are now invited to vote for their favourite book to win and you can also find out more information about the awards at www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com
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