The longlist for the highly anticipated Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025 has been revealed, marking the opening of public voting for what has been dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of crime fiction. Now in its 21st year, the prestigious award, supported by The Express, continues to celebrate the best in crime writing, offering readers the opportunity to influence which of the 18 nominated titles will make the final shortlist.
The longlist features a diverse range of gripping novels, each vying for a spot on the coveted list of six finalists, which will be announced on July 17, 2025, at the opening of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The winner will be revealed on the same evening.
Previous winners of the award include household names such as Jo Callaghan, Lee Child, Mick Herron, M. W. Craven, Steve Cavanagh, and Clare Mackintosh, all of whom have shaped the landscape of modern crime fiction.
The Festival and Award
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, held annually in the scenic spa town of Harrogate, is a four-day celebration of the genre, drawing thousands of crime fiction enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s festival will feature prominent figures such as Lee and Andrew Child, Attica Locke, Mark Billingham, and Irvine Welsh, along with Mick Herron, creator of the Slow Horses series, who will serve as the festival’s programming chair.
The festival kicks off with the announcement of the Crime Novel of the Year award, a prestigious event in the literary calendar. Simon Theakston, Chairman of title sponsor T&R Theakston, commented, “The award is a vital platform for recognising and celebrating British crime writing talent, both new and established. This year’s longlist is an exciting mix of books, and we encourage readers to get involved and vote for their favourites.”
Thomas Hunt, Editor-in-Chief of The Express, added, “It’s a great pleasure to support the ‘Oscars’ of the crime writing world, a genre that captivates millions of readers every year. We wish the best of luck to all the longlisted authors.”
The 18 Crime Novels Longlisted for 2025
The following novels are competing for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year:
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The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre (Little, Brown)
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Our Holiday by Louise Candlish (HarperCollins)
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A Stranger in the Family by Jane Casey (HarperFiction)
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The Mercy Chair by M. W. Craven (Little, Brown)
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The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas (Michael Joseph)
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The Last Word by Elly Griffiths (Quercus Books)
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Estella’s Revenge by Barbara Havelocke (Hera Books)
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Redemption by Jack Jordan (Simon & Schuster)
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The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd (Pan Macmillan)
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Finding Sophie by Imran Mahmood (Raven Books)
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The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini (Cornerstone)
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The Kill List by Nadine Matheson (HarperCollins)
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Hunted by Abir Mukherjee (Vintage)
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Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville (Simon & Schuster)
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To Die in June by Alan Parks (Canongate)
Voting is now open to the public, and readers are encouraged to visit the official website to cast their votes and ensure their favourite titles make it to the final stage.
As the countdown to the festival continues, all eyes are on these talented authors as they compete for one of crime writing’s most coveted honors.
