Long List for the 2025 Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year Announced
By Sarah Morgan
With just three months to go before the start of the 2025 Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, it’s time to find out which books have made it onto the long list for the event’s prestigious Novel of the Year award.
It’s a mix of familiar names and newbies, with former winners Chris Whitaker (All the Colours of the Dark), Chris Brookmyre (The Cracked Mirror) and MW Craven (The Mercy Chair) keeping their fingers crossed for another victory, while fan favourite Elly Griffiths (The Last Word) receives her 10th nomination.
Also in the running are Alan Parks, whose latest Harry McCoy thriller To Die in June may have what it takes to bag the big prize, but he has stiff opposition from top names such as Imran Mahmood (Finding Sophie), Abir Mukherjee (Hunted) and Stuart Neville (Blood Like Mine).
And don’t rule out Marie Tierney’s Deadly Animals, which has already won the inaugural McDermid Debut Award, the Festival’s newest initiative to celebrate the work of the genre’s stars of the future.
“The award is a vital platform for recognising and celebrating British crime writing talent both new and established, and once again our Awards Academy have selected another thrilling crop of books for our long list,” says Simon Theakston, chairman of sponsors T&R Theakston. “Now it’s time for readers to have their say, and we encourage everyone to get involved and vote for their favourites!”
Voting closes on Thursday, May 15th, with the shortlist announced in early June. For the full list, check out: harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com
For tickets, go to: harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/festival/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival
Sarah Morgan studied film journalism at post-graduate level with the BFI and has been writing about TV and film for PA Media’s newspaper, magazine and new media customers since 1996. She’s also written for a wide range of other publications, both online and in print, including the book Offbeat and Intermission magazine, and is a regular contributor to the Talking Pictures TV podcast. When she isn’t watching movies, she’s collecting and reading vintage crime and horror paperback books or, for her sins, watching her beloved Sheffield Wednesday.
