Simon Theakston presents winner Mark Billingham with the Award
The brightest and best of Britain’s crime writing fraternity flocked to Harrogate this weekend for the announcement of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. As Mark Billingham’s novel Death Message beat strong competition to scoop this sought after prize on the opening night of the 2009 Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
Mark is repeating his success from 2005 when he won the very first award with LazyBones. He is a prolific and extremely popular writer, and Bloodline, the newest Tom Thorne novel is out on August 6th. Open to British crime novels published in paperback in 2008, this is the only award of its kind to be voted for by the general public and this year over 5000 votes were cast online.
Mark Billingham today said ‘To even be on the shortlist with such fantastic authors was amazing and then to win was absolutely amazing!’
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals today said: ‘The Award is a fantastic opening to the best crime writing festival around, and I am delighted that Mark won, I remember thoroughly enjoying Death Message when I first read it. A very worthy winner.’
Mark Billingham with his award-winning novel, Death Message
The short list was:
Death Message (Mark Billingham)
The Accident Man (Tom Cain)
Bad Luck and Trouble (Lee Child)
Gone to Ground (John Harvey)
Ritual (Mo Hayder)
Garden of Evil (David Hewson)
A Cure for all Diseases (Reginald Hill)
The Colour of Blood (Declan Hughes)
Dead Man’s Footsteps (Peter James)
Broken Skin (Stuart MacBride)
Beneath the Bleeding (Val McDermid)
Exit Music (Ian Rankin)
Friend of the Devil (Peter Robinson)
Savage Moon (Chris Simms)
The only award of its kind to be voted for by the reading public, it does represent the reading tastes of the nation. This has been demonstrated by past winners who have ranged from best sellers including Mark Billingham (2005) and Val McDermid (2006) Allan Guthrie (2007) though to Stef Penney for The Tenderness of Wolves in 2008. Mark received £3000 and a hand made Theakstons cask.
T&R Theakstons Executive Director Simon Theakston today said: ““It has been a remarkably strong shortlist representing the very best that the crime writing world has to offer. Once again, the public have chosen a deserving winner.’
The winning book will also have a prominent chart position in most Asda stores though the summer.
A delighted Mark accepts the award from sponsor Simon Theakston
Did you vote for Mark? Did your favourite author win? Tell us what you think by posting a comment below…
So,so pleased that Mark won.
Great writer, Great books & Great to read!!
Surpasses all the others (& you know who they are).
I voted and he is a deserved winner and should win every year!!!
brilliant writer, brilliant books what more can you say bout billingham!