We are extremely proud to be yet again sponsoring this major book award, now in its sixth year.
To register your vote for your favourite author, please click the button on the right.
This year's Award Longlist includes genre giants including Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson and Martina Cole.
This stage of voting is open until 11th June and the result of this first poll will determine the eight titles that make it onto the Shortlist.
The longlist in full is as follows:
- In the Dark by Mark Billingham
- If It Bleeds by Duncan Campbell
- The Surrogate by Tania Carver
- The Business by Martina Cole
- A Simple Act of Violence by R.J. Ellory
- Until It's Over by Nicci French
- The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
- Cold in Hand by John Harvey
- Skin by Mo Hayder
- Vows of Silence by Susan Hill
- The Dying Breed by Declan Hughes
- Dead Tomorrow by Peter James
- Target by Simon Kernick
- A Darker Domain by Val McDermid
- Gallows Lane by Brian McGilloway
- Geezer Girls by Dreda Say Mitchell
- Singing to the Dead by Caro Ramsay
- Doors Open by Ian Rankin
- All The Colours of Darkness by Peter Robinson
- Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
The shortlist will be announced on Thursday 1st July, at which point you will be able to cast your vote once again. The result of this second online vote will hold a 20% share within the all-new judging panel to decide on the eventual winner. The panel includes: Jenni Murray, BBC Radio 4 broadcaster and author; John Dugdale, Guardian Associate Media Editor; Natalie Haynes, comedian and journalist; and Simon Theakston, Executive Director of T&R Theakston Ltd.
There is also a nationwide library campaign encouraging readers to vote, and from 8th July, the eight shortlisted titles will be promoted in 350 Asda stores across the country.
The winner of the prize will be announced by radio broadcaster and festival regular Mark Lawson on the opening night of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate on Thursday 22nd July.
We hope to see you at the Award ceremony and thank you for your vote.
Simon Theakston
P.S. To find out more about Old Peculier and our other intriguingly fine ales, click here.
