John Dean – Crime Writer

Some of the most exciting new talent in the crime fiction genre has been named in the shortlist for the McDermid Debut Award, whose winner will be revealed at the opening ceremony of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate on Thursday July 24, 2026

The judges say that the six authors on the shortlist represent ‘original and assured’ new voices writing across a broad range of subgenres, including serial killer thrillers, detective fiction, cosy crime and dystopian chillers.

They are:

A Bad, Bad Place by Frances Crawford (Transworld, Penguin Random House) 

The Exes by Leodora Darlington (Penguin Michael Joseph)

Innocent Guilt by Remi Kone (Quercus)

The Quiet by Barnaby Martin (Pan Macmillan) 

A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant (Baskerville, John Murray)

How to Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson (Transworld, Penguin Random House) 

All shortlisted authors receive a full weekend pass to the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and the winner will receive a £600 cash prize and an engraved, handcrafted beer barrel from T&R Theakston.

Crime writer Val McDermid, after whom the prize is named, said: “This festival has a rich and long-established reputation for plucking out the debut gems from the crime writing pack. This year is no exception. Dive into the Debut Award shortlist and I guarantee you’ll find six novels with something special to offer.”

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston, said: “The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has always celebrated the very best in crime fiction and thriller writing, and we are proud to turn the spotlight on a new generation of rising star debut authors. Readers are in for a real treat with these six new extraordinary novels to enjoy.”

You can find out more at https://www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com/