The six shortlisted books for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year have been revealed, offering readers a diverse selection of crime fiction. The contenders include a team of washed-up spies entangled in blackmail from The Troubles, a time-travelling cold-case detective, and a witty James Bond spin-off. They are joined by a psychological thriller about marriage, grief and revenge; a son who discovers his late father was a serial killer; and a story about the lingering effects of a brutal home invasion.
The Shortlisted Books
The six books, selected from a longlist of 18 titles, feature three previous winners and three debut nominees. Readers are invited to vote for their favourite book. The award, now in its 22nd year and supported by the Daily and Sunday Express and Waterstones, celebrates crime fiction at its thrilling best.
- The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani
- The Death of Us by Abigail Dean
- Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
- The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths
- Clown Town by Mick Herron
- Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan
Previous Winners and Debut Nominees
Three former nominees are shortlisted again: Mick Herron, who won in 2022 for Slough House and is nominated this year for Clown Town, the latest in his Slow Horses series; Elly Griffiths, nominated a record eight times, this time for The Frozen People, the first in a new series featuring cold-case investigator and time-traveller Ali Dawson; and Vaseem Khan, shortlisted in 2022 for Midnight at Malabar House and honoured again for Quantum of Menace, the first in his new 007 spin-off featuring Major Boothroyd, aka Q.
The three debut nominees for 2026 are Tariq Ashkanani for The Midnight King, a dark thriller about the son of a famous author and never-caught serial killer; Alice Feeney for Beautiful Ugly, featuring a once-successful writer who retreats to a remote Scottish island; and Abigail Dean, whose psychological thriller The Death of Us explores the long-term impact of a horrendous crime.
Comments from Organisers
Simon Theakston, chairman of the festival’s title sponsor T&R Theakston Ltd, said: “Congratulations to all of the incredible writers shortlisted for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. The highly entertaining books on this year’s shortlist will take readers on an unforgettable rollercoaster ride from remote Scottish islands to frozen Victorian London, the down-at-heel offices of MI5 and far beyond.”
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “We’re delighted to reveal the shortlist for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Showcasing the broad range of the world’s favourite genre – from spy thrillers to time-travel mysteries, from James Bond spin-offs to twisty psychological thrillers – the six books on this year’s shortlist are hugely ambitious and innovative but above all else, cracking great reads!”
Voting and Winner Announcement
Readers can vote for their favourite book at harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com. The winner will be revealed on the opening night of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on July 23, receiving a carved oak Theakston beer barrel and £3,000.
