The Crime Writers’ Association has announced the winners of the prestigious 2025 CWA Dagger Awards. Established in 1955, these awards remain the most respected accolades for crime writing and continue to define excellence in the genre.
KAA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel
The KAA Gold Dagger, sponsored by Kevin Anderson & Associates, went to Anna Mazzola for Book of Secrets. Set during the aftermath of the plague in 17th century Rome, the novel follows prosecutor Stefano Bracchi on a tense hunt for a serial killer. Judges called it an “engrossing cat-and-mouse thriller.”
Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for Thriller of the Year
The Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, awarded for best thriller, went to Lou Berney for Dark Ride. The judges praised the novel’s blend of “heartache and humanity” and called it a masterpiece of suspense.
ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger
Katy Massey won the ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger for All Us Sinners. This debut revisits the Yorkshire Ripper murders from the viewpoint of silent victims. Judges described it as “vivid and brutally honest.”
Historical Dagger Highlights Period Crime
The Historical Dagger, in memory of Dr Marilyn Livingstone, was awarded to A.J. West for The Betrayal of Thomas True, a gripping tale set in 1710 London’s underworld.
Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger
Akira Otani took the Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger for The Night of Baba Yaga, translated by Sam Bett. The Japanese gangland thriller recently won the CrimeFest Debut Crime Novel award.
ALCS Gold Dagger for Non‑Fiction
Non‑fiction title The Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place by Kate Summerscale won the ALCS Gold Dagger. Her retelling of the Christie murders earned praise as “riveting without being salacious.”
Short Story Dagger Awarded
The Short Story Dagger went to J.C. Bernthal for A Date on Yarmouth Pier. The judges called it a “mini‑masterpiece with a killer twist.”
Two New Daggers Added
The newly introduced Twisted Dagger, celebrating psychological thrillers, went to Tracy Sierra for Nightwatching. Judges described it as “horrific, compelling and nerve‑shreddingly tense.” The inaugural Whodunnit Dagger, for mystery puzzles and classic detective plots, was awarded to Lisa Hall for The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl. Judges admired its sparkling 1950s Vegas setting and clever twists.
Emerging Author Dagger Winner
The Emerging Author Dagger, for unpublished writers, went to Joe Eurell for Ashland. Judges likened it to Mare of Easttown and We Begin at the End, praising its strong sense of place and layered characters.
Dagger in the Library & Publisher Award
Richard Osman won the Dagger in the Library award for outstanding body of work.
Orenda Books earned the Best Crime and Mystery Publisher of the Year Dagger for editorial excellence and diversity.
CWA Diamond Dagger Honours Career Achievement
Announced in early spring, the CWA Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement went to Mick Herron, recognising his exceptional contribution to the genre.
The 2025 Winners in Full:
The KAA GOLD DAGGER
Anna Mazzola: Book of Secrets (Orion)
THE IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER
Lou Berney: Dark Ride (Hemlock Press/ HarperCollins)
THE ILP JOHN CREASEY FIRST NOVEL DAGGER
Katy Massey: All Us Sinners (Little, Brown /Sphere)
THE TWISTED DAGGER
Tracy Sierra: Nightwatching (PRH/ Viking)
THE WHODUNNIT DAGGER
Lisa Hall, The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl (Hera)
THE HISTORICAL DAGGER (Sponsored in Honour of Dr. Marilyn Livingstone)
A.J. West, The Betrayal of Thomas True (Orenda Books)
THE ALCS GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION
Kate Summerscale: The Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place (Bloomsbury Circus)
THE CRIME FICTION IN TRANSLATION DAGGER (Sponsored in Honour of Dolores Jakubowski)
Akira Otani: The Night of Baba Yaga (Faber) tr. Sam Bett
THE SHORT STORY DAGGER
J.C Bernthal: ‘A Date on Yarmouth Pier’ in Midsummer Mysteries edited by Martin Edwards (Flame Tree Publishing/Flame Tree Collections)
THE DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY
Richard Osman
THE DAGGER FOR THE BEST CRIME AND MYSTERY PUBLISHERS
Orenda Books
THE EMERGING AUTHOR DAGGER (sponsored by Fiction Feedback)
Joe Eurell, Ashland
THE CWA DIAMOND DAGGER AWARD
Mick Herron
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