Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2025: Shortlists Revealed for Crime Novel & Debut Awards
By Sarah Morgan
We know that this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is just around the corner because the shortlists for the Crime Novel of the Year 2025 and the McDermid Debut Award have been announced – but did your favourites make the cut?
Debut novelist Marie Tierney’s Deadly Animals is up against titles from three previous winners of the Crime Novel of the Year – Chris Brookmyre’s The Cracked Mirror, Chris Whitaker’s All the Colours of the Dark and MW Craven’s The Mercy Chair. Making up the rest of the list are festival favourites Elly Griffiths (for The Last Word) and Abir Mukherjee (Hunted).
“Congratulation to all of the highly talented writers shortlisted for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year,” says Simon Theakston, Chairman of sponsors T&R Theakston. “We urge readers to get involved and vote for their favourite novel to win the award – and the iconic beer cask trophy – so have you say today!”
“Fresh voices”
The shortlist for the McDermid Debut Award, named after writer Val McDermid, comprises of I Died at Fallow Hall by Bonnie Burke-Patel, Her Two Lives by Nilesha Chauvet, Chris Bridges’ Sick to Death, Black Water Rising by Sean Watkins and Isolation Island by revered broadcaster Louise Minchin.
McDermid herself responded by saying: “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.”
To vote, head to: harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com
For tickets to the festival, which runs from July 17 to 20 at Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel, visit: harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
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.
