John Dean – Crime Writer

One of the most prestigious awards in crime writing has a new sponsor.

Run by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA), the annual Diamond Dagger Award was introduced in 1986 and recognises a lifetime’s achievement.

Part of the CWA’s annual Daggers, which having first been staged in 1965, are the genre’s oldest awards, the Diamond Dagger’s new sponsor is author Karen Baugh Menuhin, pictured here.

Past recipients include Mick Herron, Lynda La Plante, John Le Carré, PD James, Ian Rankin, Ann Cleeves, Lee Child, Frederik Forsyth, and Michael Connolly.

Karen, a bestselling author of cosy crime novels, said: “Crime fiction has given me so much pleasure as a reader and writer, so I’m very proud to give something back to the genre.”

Nadine Matheson, Chair of the CWA, said: “The Diamond Dagger is the highest honour in crime writing, celebrating a lifetime of extraordinary commitment, creativity and contribution to the genre. Karen’s generosity and support ensure that this prestigious award continues to recognise the writers whose work has shaped, inspired, and elevated the world of crime fiction.”

The Daggers feature 13 awards, celebrating established careers as well as new talent, with the Emerging Author Dagger, open to unpublished authors. To date, agents and editors have signed up more than two dozen of the emerging authors.