Announcements

The submission period for the 2024 Daggers, except for the Dagger in the Library and the Debut Dagger, is now CLOSED.
The Dagger in the Library competition will be open until 15 December 2023. See this page for more information.
The Debut Dagger will be open until the last working day in February. See this page for more information.
To view the 2023 winners, click on individual Daggers below, or download the full list here (PDF).
Should you require further assistance, please contact dagger.liaison@gmail.com

The Daggers

We award eleven Daggers in total. Seven of these are for books and short stories and are judged independently by industry professionals.

Diamond Dagger

The most prestigious Dagger of all, awarded for a lifetime contribution to English-language crime writing.

Gold Dagger

This Dagger is given to the overall best crime novel of the year, from thrillers to mysteries, procedurals to psychological suspense.

Ian Fleming Steel Dagger

Sponsored by Ian Fleming Publications, the Steel Dagger is for the best espionage, psychological, or adventure thriller novel.

ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger

Awarded to the best crime novel by a first-time author of any nationality, first traditionally published in the UK in English.

Historical Dagger

Awarded to the best historical crime novel set in any period up to 50 years prior to the year in which the award will be made.

ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction

Non-fiction is important to the genre, from true crime and biography to critical studies and literature. This Dagger is for the best such book.

Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation

This dagger is awarded to a crime novel not originally written in English, and translated into English for UK publication during the judging period.

Sponsored in honour of Dolores Jakubowski.

Short Story Dagger

Awarded to the best crime-focused short story of the year published or broadcast in the UK.

Dagger for the Best Crime & Mystery Publisher

Also called the “Publisher’s Dagger”, this is given to the best publisher or imprint for their contribution to the genre throughout the year.

Dagger in the Library

This Dagger is for a writer whose body of work is popular with library users, and who in turn supports libraries and borrowers.

Debut Dagger

A competition for the opening of a crime novel by an unpublished writer. The Debut Dagger is a talent finder, closely watched by the industry.

Self-Nominate your Books

Don’t forget our eligibility criteria now allows traditionally published authors to nominate their own titles for a Dagger. Self-published authors who are members of the CWA are also welcome to do so. Titles must be published and nominated in 2023 for the 2024 Daggers. Please see this page for full details, including eligibility criteria and deadlines.