Awards

The 2024 CrimeFest Awards will be presented at the convention Gala Awards Dinner on 11 May, 2024.

– SPECSAVERS DEBUT CRIME NOVEL AWARD
for best 2023 crime novel by a previously unpublished author
– eDUNNIT AWARD
for best 2023 crime ebook
– THE H.R.F. KEATING AWARD
for best 2023 biography or critical book related to crime fiction
– LAST LAUGH AWARD
for best 2023 humorous crime novel
– THALIA PROCTOR MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST ADAPTED TV CRIME DRAMA
for best television crime drama based on a book, first screened in the UK in 2023
– BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR CHILDREN
for best 2023 crime novel for children, ages 8-12
– BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR YOUNG ADULTS
for best 2023 crime novel for young adults, ages 12-16
– 2024 AWARD ENTRIES
– PAST WINNERS: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 & 2008

SPECSAVERS DEBUT CRIME NOVEL AWARD
In association with our headline sponsor, CrimeFest is honoured to present its award for a crime novel by debut author first published in the United Kingdom in 2023. Previously unpublished authors bring vital fresh blood to the genre, and CrimeFest and Specsavers aim to highlight that contribution with this award.

The winning author receives a £1,000 prize (courtesy of headline sponsor Specsavers), a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award, and a complimentary pass and panel appearance at the next CrimeFest.

Eligible titles are submitted by publishers, and a team of British crime fiction reviewers vote to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

eDUNNIT AWARD
The eDunnit Award is for the best crime fiction ebook first published in both hardcopy and in electronic format in the United Kingdom in 2023.

The winning author receives a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award, as well as a complimentary pass and panel appearance at the next CrimeFest.

Eligible titles are submitted by publishers, and a team of British crime fiction reviewers vote to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

H.R.F. KEATING AWARD
The H.R.F. Keating Award is for the best biographical or critical book related to crime fiction first published in the United Kingdom in 2023. The award is named after H.R.F. ‘Harry’ Keating, one of Britain’s most esteemed crime novelists, crime reviewers and writer of books about crime fiction.

The winning author receives a commemorative Bristol Blue Glass award.

Eligible titles are submitted by publishers, and a team of British crime fiction reviewers vote to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

 LAST LAUGH AWARD
The Last Laugh Award is for the best humorous crime novel first published in the United Kingdom in 2023.

The winning author receives a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award, as well as a complimentary pass and panel appearance at the next CrimeFest.

Eligible titles are submitted by publishers, and a team of British crime fiction reviewers vote to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

THALIA PROCTOR MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST ADAPTED TV CRIME DRAMA
This award is for the best television crime drama based on a book, and first screened in the UK in 2023. The winning author and production company each receive a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award.

Eligible titles were collated from the Radio Times, and CrimeFest newsletter readers establish the shortlist and the winning title.

BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR CHILDREN
This award is for the best crime novel for children (aged 8-12) first published in the United Kingdom in 2023.

The winner receives a commemorative Bristol Blue Glass award.

Eligible titles are submitted by publishers, and reviewers of fiction for children and young adults vote to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR YOUNG ADULTS
This award is for the best crime novel for young adults (aged 12-16) first published in the United Kingdom in 2023.

The winner receives a commemorative Bristol Blue Glass award.

Eligible titles are submitted by publishers, and reviewers of fiction for children and young adults vote to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

2023 AWARD ENTRIES
As of 29 February 2024

– SPECSAVERS DEBUT CRIME NOVEL AWARD
– eDUNNIT AWARD
– H.R.F. KEATING AWARD
– LAST LAUGH AWARD
– THALIA PROCTOR MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST ADAPTED TV CRIME DRAMA
– BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR CHILDREN
– BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR YOUNG ADULTS

 

SPECSAVERS DEBUT CRIME NOVEL AWARD

FirstLastTitlePublisher
StigAbellDeath Under a Little SkyHarperCollins
RichardArmitageGenevaFaber & Faber
LucyAsheClara & OliviaMagpie
JuliaBartzThe Writing RetreatMagpie
AnnaBrittonShot in the DarkCanelo
AbigailBurdessMother's DayWildfire
JoCallaghanIn The Blink Of An EyeSimon & Schuster
L.M.ChiltonDon't Swipe RightHead of Zeus
JamesComeyCentral Park WestHead of Zeus
HollyCraigThe ShallowsThomas & Mercer
EmilyCritchleyOne Puzzling AfternoonZaffre
HeatherCritchlowUnsolvedCanelo
MeganDavisThe MessengerZaffre
F.L.EverettA Report of MurderBookouture
AoifeFitzpatrickThe Red Bird SingsVirago
KateFosterThe MaidenAprilMantle
RobinGiglBy Way of SorrowVerve
RebeccaHeathThe Summer PartyHead of Zeus
KatrinJuliusdóttirDead SweetOrenda Books
MartinKempThe GameHarperCollins
CaseyKingDeceitJoffe Books
CharlotteLangleyThe BlameNo Exit Press
Helen & SinMacdonald & BlachéProphetJonathan Cape
Jenny LundMadsenThirty Days of DarknessOrenda Books
JoannaMargaretThe BequestHead of Zeus
NatalieMarlowNeedless AlleyBaskerville
JessaMaxwellThe Golden SpoonMichael Joseph
DannMcDormanWest Heart KillRaven Books
S.L.McManusThe Secret at No.4HarperNorth
KittyMurphyDeath in HeelsThomas & Mercer
SukPannuMrs Sidhu’s ‘Dead and Scone’HarperCollins
BrookeRobinsonThe InterpreterHarvill Secker
AliceSlaterDeath of a BooksellerHodder & Stoughton
HayleySmithThe Perfect GirlfriendBookouture
AlisonStockhamThe Cuckoo SisterBoldwood Books
ElliotSweeneyThe Next to DieWildfire
JoannaWallaceYou'd Look Better as a GhostViper
KateWellsMurder on the FarmBoldwood Books
RoseWildingSpeak of the DevilBaskerville

eDUNNIT AWARD – Coming Soon

H.R.F. KEATING AWARD

FirstLastTitleImprint
M, J, F & ADall'Asta, Migozzi, Pagello & PepperContemporary European Crime Fiction: Representing History and PoliticsPalgrave
Sally & TonyHopeAgatha Christie: Plots, Clues and MisdirectionsBook Guild
LisaHopkinsOcular Proof and the Spectacled Detective in British Crime FictionPalgrave
KateJacksonHow To Survive a Classic Crime NovelBritish Library Publishing
Sarah J.LinkA Narratological Approach to Lists in Detective FictionPalgrave
StephenPowellLove Me Fierce In Danger: The Life of James EllroyBloomsbury Academic
NicholasShakespeareIan Fleming: The Complete ManHarvill Secker
AdamSismanThe Secret Life of John Le CarréProfile Books
MartaUsiekniewiczFood, Consumption, and Masculinity in American Hardboiled FictionPalgrave

LAST LAUGH AWARD

FirstLastTitlePublisher
KatAilesThe Expectant DetectivesZaffre
BarbaraAllanAntiques FoeSevern House
SamanthaAllenPatricia Wants to CuddleFaber & Faber
JuliaBartzThe Writing RetreatMagpie
M.C.BeatonAgatha Raisin: Dead on TargetConstable
AlexandraBenedictThe Christmas Jigsaw MurdersSimon & Schuster
MarkBillinghamThe Last DanceSphere
JennyBlackhurstThree Card MurderHQ
KatyBrentHow to Kill Men and Get Away With ItHQ Digital
SimonBrettBlotto, Twinks and the Conquistadors' GoldConstable
SimonBrettMrs Pargeter's PatioSevern House
AbigailBurdessMother's DayWildfire
L.M.ChiltonDon't Swipe RightHead of Zeus
Julie MaeCohenBad MenZaffre
RichardColesA Death in the ParishWeidenfeld & Nicholson
E.J.CoppermanMy Cousin SkinnySevern House
E.J.CoppermanUkulele of DeathSevern House
VictoriaDowdMurder Most ColdJoffe Books
M.H.EcclestonDeath Comes to the Costa del SolHead of Zeus
P.J.EllisLove & Other ScamsHarperNorth
EllyGriffithsThe Great DeceiverQuercus
HannahHendyA Frightfully Fatal AffairCanelo
HannahHendyA Terrible Village PoisoningCanelo
MickHerronThe Secret HoursBaskerville
M.K.HillZero KillHead of Zeus
E.V.HunterA Date To Die ForBoldwood Books
MichaelJecksPortrait of a MurderSevern House
AntonyJohnstonThe Dog Sitter DetectiveAllison & Busby
LeslieKarstA Sense for MurderSevern House
CarolineKepnesFor You And Only YouSimon & Schuster
T.E.KinseyA Fire at the ExhibitionThomas & Mercer
GeriKrotowThe Kielbasa KillerSevern House
RebeccaKuangYellowfaceBorough Press
JudyLeighFoul Play at Seal BayBoldwood Books
Jenny LundMadsenThirty Days of DarknessOrenda Books
KatieMarshHow Not To Murder Your ExBoldwood Books
SophieMcCartneyMother HensHarperNorth
CatrionaMcPhersonHop ScotSevern House
KellyOliverArsenic at AscotBoldwood Books
SukPannuMrs Sidhu’s ‘Dead and Scone’HarperCollins
MikeRipleyMr Campion's MemorySevern House
RebeccaRogersThe Purgatory PoisoningHarperCollins
LeighRussellBarking MadCrime and Mystery Club
LeighRussellBarking Up the Right TreeCrime and Mystery Club
RosemaryShragerThe Proof in the PuddingConstable
JesseSutantoVera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for MurderersHQ
LesleyThomsonThe Mystery of Yew Tree HouseHead of Zeus
AnttiTuomianenThe Beaver TheoryOrenda Books
L.C.TylerA Well-Earned DeathConstable
JoannaWallaceYou'd Look Better as a GhostViper
JeriWestersonThe Isolated SéanceSevern House
T.A.WilliamsMurder in SienaBoldwood Books
DebbieYoungMurder in the HighlandsBoldwood Books
GlendaYoungFoul Play at the Seaview HotelHeadline Publishing Group

THALIA PROCTOR MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST ADAPTED TV CRIME DRAMA

TV TitleAuthor FirstAuthor LastBook(s)Channel
Beck - series 9Maj & PerSjowall & WahlooMartin Beck booksBBC4
BodiesSiSpencerBodiesNetflix
Bosch: Legacy - series 2MichaelConnellyHarry Bosch booksFreeVee
Chemistry of DeathSimonBeckettDr David HunterParamount+
City on FireGarth RiskHallbergCity on FireApple TV+
CrimeIrvineWelshCrimeITVX
Dalgliesh - series 2P.D.JamesDalglieshC5
Dark WindsTonyHillermanChee & Leaphorn booksAlibi
Father Brown - series 10G.K.ChestertonFather Brown seriesBBC
Grace - series 3PeterJamesRoy Grace booksITV
Harlan Coben's ShelterHarlanCobenMickey BolitarAmazon Prime
Inspector Ricciardi (aka Il Commissario Ricciardi)Mauriziode GiovanniCommissario RicciardiWalter Presents
Joe PickettC.J.BoxJoe Pickett seriesParamount+
Justified: City PrimevalElmoreLeonardCity Primeval and Fire in the HoleDisney+
Love & DeathJames & JohnAtkinson & BloomEvidence of LoveITVX
Luther - The Fallen SunNeilCrossLuther booksNetflix
Midsomer Murders - series 22CarolineGrahamMidsomer MurdersITV
Murder is EasyAgathaChristieMurder is EasyBBC
Murdoch Mysteries - series 16MaureenJenningsMurdoch MysteriesAlibi
ObsessionJosephineHartDamageNetflix
Perry Mason (series 2)Earl StanleyGardnerPerry MasonSky Atlantic
Platform 7LouiseDoughtyPlatform SevenITVX
Reacher - series 2LeeChildJack Reacher booksAmazon Prime
Shetland - series 8AnnCleevesShetland booksBBC
Six FourHideoYokoyamaSix FourITVX
Slow Horses - series 3MickHerronSlough House booksApple TV+
The Burning GirlsC.J.TudorThe Burning GirlsC5
The CastawaysLucyClarkeThe CastawaysParamount+
The ConsultantBentleyLittleThe ConsultantAmazon Prime
The Defence - series 3RemigiuszMrózJoanna Chylka seriesWalter Presents
The Doll FactoryElizabethMacnealThe Doll FactoryParamount+
The Ex-WifeJessRyderThe Ex-WifeC5
The Famous Five - The Curse of Kirren IslandEnidBlytonFamous FiveBBC
The Hunter (Il cacciatore)AlfonsoSabellaCacciatore di mafiosiWalter Presents
The Killing KindJaneCaseyThe Killing KindParamount+
The Last Thing He Told MeLauraDaveThe Last Thing He Told MeApple TV+
The Lincoln Lawyer - series 2MichaelConnellyThe Lincoln LawyerNetflix
The Lost Flowers of Alice HartHollyRinglandThe Lost Flowers of Alice HartAmazon Prime
The Night AgentMatthewQuirkThe Night AgentNetflix
The PowerNaomiAldermanThe PowerAmazon Prime
The Serial Killer's WifeAliceHunterThe Serial Killer's WifeParamount+
The Snow Girl (aka La chica de nieve)Javier CastilloJavier CastilloLa chica de nieveNetflix
The Tower - series 2KateLondonCollins and Griffiths booksITV
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan - series 3TomClancyJack Ryan booksAmazon Prime
Top DogJensLapidusDark StockholmWalter Presents
Truth be ToldKathleenBarberAre You Sleeping?Apple TV+
Van der Valk - series 3NicolasFreelingVan der ValkITV
Vera - series 12AnnCleevesVera Stanhope booksITV
White House PlumbersBud & MatthewKroghWhite House PlumbersSky Max
WildernessB.E.JonesWildernessAmazon Prime
Will TrentKarinSlaughterWill TrentDisney+
WolfMoHayderJack Caffrey booksBBC
You - series 4CarolineKepnesYouNetflix

BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR CHILDREN

FirstLastTitlePublisher
SufiyaAhmedRosie Raja: Mission to CairoBloomsbury Education
AlasdairBeckett-KingMontgomery Bonbon: Murder at the MuseumWalker Books
JoClarkeLibby and the Highland HeistFirefly Press
FrankCottrell-BoyceThe Wonder BrothersMacmillan Children's Books
JudithEagleThe Stolen SongbirdFaber (Faber Children's)
NatashaFarrantThe Rescue of RavenwoodFaber (Faber Children's)
SimonFoxDeadlockNosy Crow
CatGrayThe Spirit SnatcherUsborne Publishing
RavenaGuronThe Thief of FarrowfellFaber (Faber Children's)
AdamHillsRockstar Detectives: Murder at the MoviesPenguin Random House Children's UK
AnthonyHorowitzNightshade RevengeWalker Books
A.M.HowellMysteries At Sea: Peril On The AtlanticUsborne Publishing
LisJardineThe Detention DetectivesPenguin Random House Children's UK
Gareth P.JonesSolve Your Own Mystery: The Transylvanian ExpressLittle Tiger
IsziLawrenceBlackbeard's TreasureBloomsbury Education
M. G.LeonardClutchWalker Books
BethLincolnThe SwiftsPenguin Random House Children's UK
LoganMacxSwift and Hawk: UndercoverWalker Books
KarenOwenMajor and Mynah: Operation RavenFirefly Press
JohnPatrick GreenInvestiGators: All Tide UpMacmillan Children's Books
HelenPetersFriends and TraitorsNosy Crow
MarcusRashfordThe Breakfast Club Advenutres: The Ghoul in the SchoolMacmillan Children's Books
MarcusRashfordThe Breakfast Club Advenutres: The Phantom ThiefMacmillan Children's Books
EllieRobinsonGold Medal Mysteries: Thief on the TrackSimon & Schuster Children's Books
Gabrielle and SatishShewhorakRani Reports - On the Missing MillionsRock the Boat (Oneworld)
LaurenSt JohnFinding WonderFaber (Faber Children's)
RobinStevensThe Ministry of Unladylike Activity 2: The Body in the BlitzPenguin Random House Children's UK
ThomasTaylorMermedusaWalker Books
SarahTodd TaylorAlice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire: A Spoonful of SpyingNosy Crow
J.T.WilliamsThe Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Portraits and PoisonFarshore
LeahWilliamsonThe Wonder Team and the Forgotten FootballersMacmillan Children's Books

BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR YOUNG ADULTS

FirstLastTitlePublisher
H. F.AskwithA Dark InheritancePenguin Random House Children's UK
Jennifer LynnBarnesThe Brothers HawthornePenguin Random House Children's UK
EmilyBarrThis Summer's secretPenguin Random House Children's UK
KalynnBayronYou're Not Supposed to Die TonightBloomsbury YA
ErinBeatyBlood and MoonlightMacmillan Children's Books
ErinBeatySilence and ShadowMacmillan Children's Books
Katya deBecerraWhen Ghosts Call Us HomeMacmillan Children's Books
NickBrooksPromise BoysMacmillan Children's Books
AngelineBoulleyWarrior Girl Unearthed
AiméeCarterRoyal BloodUsborne Publishing
KatieCotugnoLiar's BeachPenguin Random House Children's UK
Melissa de laCruzThe Headmaster's ListMacmillan Children's Books
BenjaminDeanHow to Die FamousSimon & Schuster Children's Books
Kathleen & LizGlasgow & LawsonThe Night In Question: An Agathas Mystery
RavenaGuronCatch Your DeathUsborne Publishing
RavenaGuronThis Book KillsUsborne Publishing
MarieLuStars and SmokePenguin Random House Children's UK
KesiaLupoLet's Play MurderBloomsbury YA
Karen M.McManusOne of Us is BackPenguin Random House Children's UK
TomiOyemakindeThe Changing ManMacmillan Children's Books
ElizabethWeinStatelessBloomsbury YA
JoelleWellingtonTheir Vicious GamesPenguin Random House Children's UK
KateWestonMurder on a School NightElectric Monkey