CWA Daggers Winners Announced
4 July 2025
The winners of the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Dagger 2025 awards, which honour the very best in the crime-writing genre, have been announced. We're proud to see four of our authors featured.
Gold Dagger
This Dagger is given to the overall best crime novel of the year, from thrillers to mysteries, procedurals to psychological suspense.
The Book Of Secrets by Anna Maxxola
Published in Large Print in May 2024, CD and MP3 CD audiobook and uLibrary eAudiobook in April 2024.
Rome, 1659. Months after the plague has ravaged the city, men are still dying in unnatural numbers, and rumour has it that their corpses do not decay as they should. The Papal authorities commission prosecutor Stefano Bracchi to investigate, telling him he will need considerable mettle to reach the truth. To the west of the Tiber, Girolama and her female friends are at work, helping other women with childbirths and foretelling their futures. Elsewhere in the city, a young wife, Anna, must find a way to escape her abusive husband. But in a city made by men for men, there are no easy paths out. Stefano's investigation at the Tor di Nona prison will introduce him to horror, magic and an astonishing cast of characters. He will be left wondering if certain deeds should remain forever unpunished...
Historical Dagger
This dagger is awarded to presented to the best historical crime novel.
The Betrayal Of Thomas True by AJ West
Published in Large Print in September 2024, CD and MP3 CD audiobook and uLibrary eAudiobook in August 2024.
It is the year 1715, and Thomas True has arrived on old London Bridge with a dangerous secret. One night, lost amongst the squalor of London's hidden back streets, he finds himself drawn into the outrageous underworld of the molly houses. Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life as Lotty, the mollies silent guard. When the queen of all 'he-harlots', Mother Clap, confides in him about a deadly threat, he realises his friends are facing imminent execution. To the horror of all mollies, there is a rat amongst them, betraying their secrets to a pair of murderous Justices, hell-bent on punishing sinners with the noose. Can Gabriel unmask the traitor before it's too late? Can he save hapless Thomas from peril, and their own impossible love?
Dagger In The Library
The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a body of work by an established writer of crime fiction or non-fiction who has long been popular with borrowers from libraries. It also rewards authors who have supported libraries and their users through taking part in library events.
Winner: Richard Osman
Diamond Dagger
The most prestigious Dagger of all, the Diamond Dagger awards a lifetime contribution to crime writing in the English language, and is nominated by CWA members.
Winner: Mick Herron