The prestigious Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival returns this July, bringing with it the eagerly anticipated announcement of the shortlists for two major crime fiction awards: Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025 and the McDermid Debut Award.
Organised by Harrogate International Festivals, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year is widely regarded as the UK and Ireland’s foremost accolade in the crime fiction genre. The winners of both awards will be revealed during the festival’s opening night on Thursday, 17 July.
The winner of the Crime Novel of the Year will receive a £3,000 prize along with a handcrafted, engraved oak beer cask, kindly provided by T&R Theakston Ltd. The decision will be made by a panel of seven expert judges, with the public vote serving as the eighth judge.
The McDermid Debut Award, introduced in 2024 in honour of acclaimed crime writer Val McDermid, recognises the best debut crime fiction authors from the UK and Ireland. Eligible entries must be first-time published crime novels, excluding authors with prior publications in other genres.
Readers are invited to cast their votes for their favourite titles via the official website: www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com.
Shortlist for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025:
The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre (Little, Brown Book Group, Abacus)
The Mercy Chair by M.W. Craven (Little, Brown Book Group, Constable)
The Last Word by Elly Griffiths (Quercus Books, Quercus Fiction)
Hunted by Abir Mukherjee (Vintage; Harvill Secker)
Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney (Bonnier Books, Zaffre)
All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (Orion, Orion Fiction)
Notably, three former winners are contenders this year, including 2017 champion Chris Brookmyre with his innovative thriller The Cracked Mirror.
Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston, commented:
“Congratulations to all the highly talented writers shortlisted for this year’s award. The six thrilling, chilling, and hugely entertaining novels highlight the exceptional depth and diversity of British crime fiction. We encourage readers to engage and vote for their favourites to help decide who takes home the iconic beer cask trophy.”
Shortlist for the McDermid Debut Award 2025:
Sick to Death by Chris Bridges (Avon, Harper Collins)
I Died at Fallow Hall by Bonnie Burke-Patel (No Exit Press, Bedford Square)
Her Two Lives by Nilesha Chauvet (Faber & Faber)
A Reluctant Spy by David Goodman (Headline)
Isolation Island by Louise Minchin (Headline, Headline Fiction)
Black Water Rising by Sean Watkin (Canelo)
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“We’re thrilled to unveil this year’s shortlists, which showcase an exciting range of sub-genres and original storytelling across both awards. It’s inspiring to see new voices and timely themes brought to life with such insight. We look forward to celebrating these remarkable authors at the festival’s awards ceremony.”
