The Crime Writers' Association

The John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger

Winner 2021

The Creak on the Stairs
Eva Björg Ægisdóttir
Orenda

Subtle, complex and reflective, this is a tale of angst and guilt as the secrets of a small but seemingly respectable town are unearthed layer by layer. Atmospheric and immensely satisfying, with a heroine who has great series potential.

Amazon

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This award is for the best crime novel – in the opinion of the judges – by a first-time author of any nationality first traditionally published in the UK in English during the judging period. ‘Best crime novel by a first-time author’ means that the author must not have had a novel of any sort traditionally published before under any name whatsoever. In the case of novels with more than one author, all the authors must meet this requirement.

Shortlist

Current Judges

Edwin Buckhalter (Chair)

Edwin Buckhalter is the son of a London bookseller, growing up in the book trade, and founding Severn House Publishers in 1974. Having sold the company in 2017 and ostensibly retired, he still reads widely and avidly, especially his first love of crime fiction, while devoting much time as a trustee of an orchestra and not enough time to watching cricket.

Susan Moody

Susan Moody was born and brought up in Oxford. Her first crime novel, Penny Black, was published in 1984. She has written a number of suspense thrillers. Susan spent two years as Creative Writing Tutor at Bedford Prison and is a former Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association.

Karen Robinson

Karen Robinson was the Supplements Editor of The Sunday Times. She also writes, on property, education, books, travel and food.

Teddy HayesTeddy Hayes

Teddy moved to London in 1996 from Ohio, and began writing a detective series of novels and producing his own plays as well as feature films. He started publishing his novels about Devil Barnett, a black CIA hitman-turned-private-detective in Harlem. The first novel Blood Red Blues was published in 1997. In 2019, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Equal Arts Foundation in the U.K.

Longlist 2021

AuthorTitlePublisher
Eva Björg ÆgisdóttirThe Creak on the StairsOrenda
Susan AllottThe SilenceBorough, HarperCollins
Emma ChristieThe Silent DaughterWelbeck Publishing
Catherine CooperThe ChaletHarperFiction, HarperCollins
Ben CreedCity of GhostsWelbeck Publishing
Judi DaykinUnder Violent SkiesJoffe Books
Egan HughesThe One That Got AwayLittle Brown, Sphere
S W KaneThe Bone JarThomas & Mercer
Rob McInroyCuddies StripRingwood Press
Stephanie ScottWhat’s Left of Me Is YoursOrion, Weidenfeld
Stephen SpotswoodFortune Favours the DeadHeadline, Wildfire
John VercherThree-FifthsPushkin Press
S R WhiteHermitHeadline