Six-book shortlist revealed for Harrogate’s crime writing festival

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The six-book shortlist for the top prize at Harrogate’s major crime writing festival has been revealed.

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, organised by the arts charity Harrogate International Festivals, takes place at the Old Swan from July 23 to 26.

It is widely recognised as the country’s premier crime writing festival.

The crime novel of the year award, the event's top accolade, will be announced on an opening night ceremony hosted by Steph McGovern.

The winner will receive £3,000 and a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by Masham brewer and event sponsor T&R Theakston Ltd.

The six authors shortlisted are Tariq Ashkanani, Abigail Dean, Alice Feeney, Elly Griffiths, Mick Herron and Vaseem Khan.

Their books are:

• The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani (Profile Books, Viper)

• The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (HarperCollins, Hemlock Press)

• Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (Pan Macmillan, Pan Fiction)

• The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths (Quercus Books)

• Clown Town by Mick Herron (John Murray Books, Baskerville)

• Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan (Bonnier Books, Zaffre)

The winner will be selected by a panel of seven judges, with the public vote representing the eighth judge. You can vote here. www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

The award is open to full-length crime novels published in paperback between 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026.