Harrogate Crime Writing Festival Reveals Six-Book Shortlist for Prestigious Theakston Award

Crime fiction fans in Yorkshire have another reason to look forward to this summer as Harrogate International Festivals has unveiled the shortlist for the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.

The winner of the UK's most prestigious crime fiction prize will be announced on Thursday 23 July during the opening night of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate. The event, which runs from 23 to 26 July, attracts readers, authors and publishers from around the world and has become one of Yorkshire's most celebrated literary gatherings.

Six novels shortlisted for the 2026 award

Now in its 22nd year, the award recognises the best crime novels published in paperback across the UK and Ireland.

This year's shortlist includes:

• The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani

• The Death of Us by Abigail Dean

• Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

• The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths

• Clown Town by Mick Herron

• Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan

Readers are invited to vote for their favourite title, with the public vote joining seven expert judges in deciding the winner.

Yorkshire festival returns to Harrogate this July

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has become a major fixture in Yorkshire's cultural calendar, bringing more than 140 bestselling and emerging writers to Harrogate each summer.

Hosted at the historic Old Swan Hotel, the festival is delivered by Harrogate International Festivals, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026.

The award itself is supported by Masham-based brewer T&R Theakston, whose famous Old Peculier ale has sponsored the festival since 2004.

Authors compete for coveted beer cask trophy

Among the shortlisted writers is former winner Mick Herron, whose latest Slough House novel Clown Town receives another nomination. Elly Griffiths earns an eighth shortlisting for The Frozen People, while Vaseem Khan returns with Quantum of Menace, centred around James Bond's gadget master Q.

First-time nominees Tariq Ashkanani, Alice Feeney and Abigail Dean complete the shortlist.

The winning author will receive £3,000 and a handmade engraved oak beer cask produced by T&R Theakston.

Simon Theakston welcomes this year's shortlist

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston, said:

"Congratulations to all of the incredible writers shortlisted for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. The highly entertaining books on this year’s shortlist will take readers on an unforgettable roller-coaster ride from remote Scottish islands to frozen Victorian London, the down-at-heel offices of MI5 and far beyond. I’m looking forward to finding out who the public and the judges vote for and presenting the coveted beer cask trophy to the winner at the opening ceremony."

Harrogate International Festivals celebrates variety of crime fiction

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

"We’re delighted to reveal the shortlist for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Showcasing the broad range of the world’s favourite genre - from spy thrillers to time travel mysteries, from James Bond spin-offs to twisty psychological thrillers - the six books on this year’s shortlist are hugely ambitious and innovative, but above all else, cracking great reads! We encourage all readers to get involved and vote for their favourite novel on the list to win."

Public voting now open

Voting opens on 18 June and closes on 16 July, with the winner being revealed at a special awards ceremony hosted by Steph McGovern on Thursday 23 July.

As Harrogate International Festivals marks its 60th anniversary and Masham brewer Theakston continues its long-standing support, the award remains one of Yorkshire's most distinctive contributions to the world of literature.