THE CWA Short Story Dagger

Danuta Reah for No Flies on Frank

This dagger and the prize of £1500 is sponsored by the membership of the CWA. Danuta Reah was presented with her dagger and cheque by former CWA Chair Mike Jecks.

Danuta Reah - No Flies on Frank

- from Sherlock Magazine, issue 64, Atlas Publishing Co

'A very original and imaginative story, subtly and deftly told. With a menacingly gothic atmosphere, it contains many unforgettable images.'

Danuta Reah (who also writes as Carla Banks) lives in South Yorkshire with her husband who is an artist. She uses her urban background in her books. The settings range from the claustrophobic parochialism of the South Yorkshire mining communities to the international stage of new Europe and beyond. Crime — or at least dissent — runs in the family. Her father was a refugee from Stalin's Belarus; one of her ancestors, John Woodcock, was hanged, drawn and quartered in 1646 for his religious beliefs. Her latest book, The Forest of Souls (written as Carla Banks) came out in March.

In summary, the judges emphasised that this year's Short Story entries were extremely strong and diverse. They read 83 eligible stories, and are delighted to report that the sub-genre is thriving. They especially singled out the CWA Anthology Crime on the Move as a highly praiseworthy collection.

John Connolly - Miss Froom, Vampire

from Nocturnes, Hodder & Stoughton

'An elegantly written story in the gothic style. The judges much enjoyed the mischievously erotic element in the story.'

Martin Edwards - Test Drive

- from Crime on the Move, the Do-Not Press

'A satisfying story, neatly constructed and well researched, which features a car salesman and makes the point that there is a lot that cars and people have in common.'

Kate Ellis - Top Deck

- also from Crime on the Move, the Do-Not Press

'An intriguing and thoroughly credible story, with an authentic period setting. It brilliantly evokes Liverpool in 1965, and is cleverly constructed on many levels.'

Peter Robinson - The Wrong Hands

- from Not Safe After Dark, Macmillan

'A Private Eye story, with a subtly erotic charge. Essentially a morality tale, this story gave the judges a lot of pleasure.'

Judging Panel

Peter Lovesey (Chair) - prolific writer of crime novels and short stories, winner of many awards, former Chairman, Diamond Dagger recipient and shortlisted for the Dagger of Daggers 2005
Ali Karim - reviewer and former fanzine publisher and contributor
Ayo Onatade - reviewer and interviewer for a number of crime fiction websites and magazines

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