The 2025 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has now opened in Harrogate with the announcement of this year’s award winners, celebrating standout achievements in crime fiction.
Abir Mukherjee was awarded the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year for his novel Hunted, described by judges as “a thought-provoking, intriguingly taut, propulsive and highly original thriller.”
Set in London and the U.S. during the final week of a polarised presidential campaign, Hunted follows two parents racing to find their children, who are suspected of terrorist activity.
Mukherjee receives a £3,000 prize and an engraved beer cask handcrafted by one of the UK’s last coopers.
Speaking at the ceremony, he said:
"It's such an honour to win the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. ‘Hunted’ was a tough book to write – it took me four years – and it's such a privilege that the judges and the readers have taken it to their hearts.
"It means so much to me. I've been coming to the Festival for 10 years and I didn't think it could ever get any better – but it just has!"
Mukherjee, who previously appeared at the festival in 2016 as part of its ‘New Blood’ showcase, is also known for the bestselling Wyndham & Banerjee series set in 1920s India.
Also announced was the winner of the McDermid Debut Award, named in honour of crime writer Val McDermid.
David Goodman received the prize for his debut novel A Reluctant Spy, a thriller about a tech executive who unwittingly becomes involved in international espionage.
Goodman, who lives in East Lothian, Scotland, was praised for his fresh approach to the genre.
Chair of Judges Val McDermid said:
"If you think you've read every twist in every area of the genre, think again. Our winner has found a new take and delivers it with pace and propulsive storytelling.
"David Goodman's ‘A Reluctant Spy’ is a sparkling new entry in the canon, with a vivid and unfamiliar setting as well as a gripping cast of characters. Don't start it last thing at night or you might miss breakfast!"
Goodman said:
"It’s an incredible honour to win the McDermid Debut Award.
"I wrote a speech because I worried about forgetting to thank people and I never thought in a million years I'd actually get to say it out loud.
"It's an amazing feeling!"
He receives a £500 cash prize.
This year’s Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction award went to Elly Griffiths, in recognition of her work across multiple series including the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and Brighton Mysteries.
Griffiths has been shortlisted seven times for the Novel of the Year and was highly commended in 2023.
She said:
"It means the world to me to receive this award. Sixteen years ago, when I wrote my first crime novel, I received such a warm welcome from the Theakston's Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival and from other, more established, authors.
"Now, 32 books later, I’m thrilled to be honoured in this way and humbled to join the ranks of previous winners.
"I hope to continue the tradition of welcoming new writers and giving back to the crime-writing community."
She joins past recipients including Val McDermid, Sir Ian Rankin, James Patterson, and Martina Cole.
Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston, said:
"It is fantastic to have two highly original thrillers winning top honours at the Theakston Old Peculier Awards tonight.
"Our Novel of the Year winner, ‘Hunted’ by Abir Mukherjee is a high-octane masterpiece with a rollercoaster plot that will stay with me for a long time, while the McDermid Debut Award winner ‘A Reluctant Spy’ by David Goodman is an engrossing and highly entertaining novel that had me hooked right from the start.
"We are delighted that Elly Griffiths has been awarded the Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution award in recognition of her exceptional contribution to crime fiction and unwavering commitment to the genre over a remarkable career."
The award winners were revealed during the festival’s opening night at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, which runs from 17 to 20 July.
The 2025 festival features appearances by authors including Lee and Andrew Child, Irvine Welsh, Attica Locke, Kate Atkinson, Paula Hawkins, and Val McDermid.
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year is presented by Harrogate International Festivals, sponsored by T&R Theakston Ltd in partnership with Waterstones, and is open to full-length crime novels published in paperback between 1 May 2024 and 30 April 2025.
2025 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Award Winners:
• Crime Novel of the Year: Hunted by Abir Mukherjee (Vintage; Harvill Secker)
• McDermid Debut Award: A Reluctant Spy by David Goodman (Headline)
• Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction: Elly Griffiths (Quercus)
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