The Crime Writers’ Association

After 20 years, would-be crime novelists find it more rewarding than ever to enter the CWA Debut Dagger Competition

Amended 8.12.17 The CWA Debut Dagger for the opening of a crime novel, established in 1998, is renowned within the crime writing world as a way for unpublished authors to get known, with former winners and shortlisted entrants going on to win publish...


Crime Writers in Residence – at home with JG Harlond

The CRA: Please tell us a little about yourself and the books you write. After many years living and working in different parts of Europe I am now settled in a rural Andalucía with my Spanish husband. Ten years ago I gave up a safe and successful ...


Kate Griffin: The Kitty Peck Mysteries

The Kitty Peck Mysteries (2016) (A book in the Kitty Peck series) An omnibus of novels by Kate Griffin Kitty Peck is taking on the underworld of London’s East End. The Music Hall Murders: It’s 1880 and dancing girls are going missing from ‘P...


Escaping to Find Inspiration with Sam Blake

We’re not quite escaping lockdown yet here in Ireland where I live, we can’t travel outside of the country until 19th July and our hotels and restaurants have only opened to outdoor dining this week (2nd June), but I can’t WAIT to travel again....


RIP Sue Grafton

The crime and thriller community mourns the loss of Sue Grafton. Not only was she a magnificent writer and the alphabet series, featuring doughty sleuth Kinsey Millhone, which began with A Is For Alibi in 1982 and ended just prematurely with Y Is For...


Escaping from Greece with Jason Monaghan

In an ideal world that should be ‘Escaping to Greece’, as like so many other Brits I’m just longing for some sunshine and warm sea. The closest I’ve come so far this pandemic is organising ‘Greek Nite’ for my family bubble, with kebabs, d...


Tips 2017/1 for Debut Dagger Entrants

Each of these tips comes from one individual Debut Dagger reader. Remember, another individual might have a different outlook and individuals don’t always agree – which is why each Debut Dagger entry is always read by at least two readers. It’...


Crime Fiction in Translation with Love Reading

This week to celebrate National Crime Reading Month, Love Reading have put together a list of their favourite Crime Fiction in translation, including Antti Tuomainen’s Little Siberia that was shortlisted for the CWA’s Crime Fiction in Translation...


Finding the Time to Write Your Debut Dagger Entry, by Antony Johnston

Finding time to write is something we all struggle with when we’re starting out. We have other commitments and obligations, things to do, a day job, maybe a family… ‘If only I could just have time to write and not worry about all this other stu...


Debut Dagger 2021

Shortlisted


Jennifer Wilson O’Raghallaigh

Mandatory Reporting


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