The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Longlist has been revealed for 2016 with an eclectic mixture of the well known and the new vying for the top prize.
Here in the UK we know Theakstons Old Peculier but for those of you who are not native to our shores, it is an extremely popular beer with an ancient and excellent pedigree having been brewed for over 200 years. Its name pays tribute to the unique ecclesiastical status of Masham as a ‘Court of the Peculier’ and is also reference to the strong characteristic of the beer! For many years it was affectionately referred to as Yorkshire’s ‘Lunatic’s Broth’.
Perhaps this is why it has leant its name to a prestigious crime writing award.
Below are the eighteen titles hoping to win.
Time of Death – Mark Billingham
Detective Tom Thorne returns in this thrilling tale that will keep you guessing until the very last page..
Rain Dogs – Adrian McKinty
A classic locked door mystery awaits Belfast cop Sean Duffy in this latest novel in the series.
Career of Evil – Robert Galbraith,
JK Rowling’s nom de plume appears on the longlist with his third Cormorant Strike novel.
Black Eyed Susans – Julia Heaberlin
“Seventeen-year-old Tessa, dubbed a ‘Black-Eyed Susan’ by the media, became famous for being the only victim to survive the vicious attack of a serial killer. Her testimony helped to put a dangerous criminal behind bars – or so she thought. Now, decades later the black-eyed susans planted outside Tessa’s bedroom window seem to be a message from a killer who should be safely in prison.”
Yes I can see why this one has been longlisted.
Disclaimer – Renée Knight
Imagine finding a book on your bedside table, a novel, one you don’t remember buying. Imagine opening it and beginning to read, then discovering that you are the protagonist. Your life, your past and your deepest darkest secrets are written into the pages of this book, secrets you thought no one else knew about.
I Let You Go – Clare Mackintosh
A crime thriller that leaves its readers in tears? Our reviewer Claire Knight was surprised that a in this genre could do that to her and was left hoping for more from these characters and this author.
The Moth Catcher – Ann Cleeves
Next on the longlist is the seventh book in Ann Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope series and follows DI Vera Stanhope as she hunts a new and unusual kind of killer.
Tell No Tales – Eva Dolan
The second Zigic & Ferreira novel is frightening in its believability and has critics calling Eva a rising star in her genre.
The Ghost Fields – Elly Griffiths
the Ghost Fields is the seventh book in Elly Griffiths’ famous Ruth Galloway Mysteries and a deserving entry into the longlist.
The Missing and the Dead – Stuart MacBride
It seems that serialised Crime Thrillers are the ones to beat with this entry being the ninth in the Logan McRae novels.
Splinter the Silence – Val McDermid
Book 9 in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series sees Val McDermid featured in this year’s longlist.
Every Night I Dream of Hell – Malcolm Mackay
A dark and thrilling Glasgow crime drama from the award-winning author, in Every Night I Dream of Hell Malcolm Mackay takes us deep into a world of violence, fear and double-crossing that grips until the final page has been turned
Every Night I Dream of Hell US
Every Night I Dream of Hell UK
The Glorious Heresies – Lisa McInerney
Lisa seems to be coming to the attention of a number of awards boards as she was also included in the Longlist for the Baileys’ Women’s Prize for Fiction this year.
The Nightmare Place – Steve Mosby
In his latest psychological thriller, Steve Mosby taps into our darkest and most primal fear – that of having our personal space invaded. Powerful and unsettling, it will stay with you long after you’ve reached the final, killer twist.
The Final Silence – Stuart Neville
Jack Lennon joins us in his fourth investigation and with it Stuart Neville has a great chance of winning.
In a Dark, Dark Wood – Ruth Ware
Described as this year’s hottest crime novel Ruth Wares’s Chilling Crime novel has appeared on several awards lists already this year.
Death is a Welcome Guest – Louise Welsh
Combining Crime Thriller and dystopia? This is bound to be a good read.
Stasi Child – David Young
Recommended for fans of Child 44 this Cold war Crime thriller is the final entrant in this year’s longlist.
From 21 April, longlisted titles will feature in a six-week campaign across all 300 WHSmith stores and 80 library services, representing a total of 1645 library branches.
The shortlist of six titles will be announced on 31 May, followed by a seven-week promotion in libraries and WHSmiths.
The overall winner will be decided by the panel of Judges, alongside a public vote. The public vote opens on 1 July and closes 15 July at www.theakstons.co.uk.
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