Gold Dagger - (UK) Crime Writer's Association Awards

[SensualPoet]

The Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Tom Harper and claims 450+ members. Membership is open to any author who has had one crime novel produced by a bona fide publisher (or at the discretion of the committee). It enables writers to contact each other, promotes crime writing with annual awards, and organises social events. It also supports writing groups, festivals and literary events with authors.

The Gold Dagger Award was announced last week.

http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/2010/gold.html

The Gold Dagger winner

Belinda Bauer - Blacklands, pub. Transworld / Simon & Shuster
This is the author's first novel.

A boy tries to lay to rest the ghost of a murdered uncle, leading to a chilling confrontation with a child killer in this disturbing coming-of-age novel.

Available as an e-book: Kobo Canada - $17.99; Amazon US/Canada - $10.99; Sony US only - $10.99; Amazon UK only - £4.55


Others on the Dagger Shortlist

S J Bolton - Blood Harvest, pub. Transworld / Bantam
Author's website - http://www.sjbolton.com/

Set in an isolated and isolating community, this is a children-in-peril narrative with a powerful twist.

Available as an e-book: Kobo Canada - $11.69; Amazon US/Canada - $9.99; Sony US only - $12.99; Amazon UK only - £9.59


Karen Campbell - Shadowplay, pub. Hodder & Stoughton
Author's website - http://www.karencampbell.co.uk/

A strongly realised female protagonist in a substantial Glasgow police procedural. Anna Cameron is caught between the personal and the professional pitfalls of power and influence in the force.

Available as an e-book: Kobo Canada - n/a; Amazon US - ??; Sony US only - n/a; Amazon UK only - £5.22


George Pelicanos - The Way Home, pub. Orion
Author of fifteen previous crime novels set in and around the Washington area; recently nominated for an Emmy for his work on The Wire.
Author's website - http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/fea...orgepelecanos/

A remarkable portrait of a blue collar family whose son is struggling to break free from his criminal past.

Available as an e-book: Kobo Canada - $13.99; Amazon US only - $11.99; Sony US only - $11.99; Amazon UK only - £4.75


Also shortlisted

Richard Asplin - Conman, pub. No Exit Press ... not available as an e-book
James Lee Burke - Rain Gods, Orion ... not available in the UK as an e-book; Kobo Canada, Amazon US/Canada, Sony US/Canada
Patricia Duncker - The Strange Case of the Composer and the Judge, pub. Bloomsbury ... not available as an e-book
Denise Mina - Still Midnight, pub. Orion ... Kobo Canada, Amazon US only, Sony US only, Amazon UK only