THE CWA IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER
£2000 prize money, sponsored by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.
Judges’ overview: ‘Amongst an avalanche of formulaic and derivative submissions, it was refreshing to find a core of distinctive and genuinely thrilling novels.’
Mo Hayder – RITUAL – Bantam (Transworld) Judges’ comments: ‘As we would expect from this writer, a tautly plotted, brilliantly controlled thriller. Ghastly and compelling.’
Gregg Hurwitz – I SEE YOU – Sphere (Little, Brown) Judges’ comments: ‘Great pace, good dialogue and excellent characterisation combine in a playful take on the LA murder story.’
Michael Robotham – SHATTER – Sphere (Little, Brown) Judges’ comments: ‘Dark, deep and brooding; everything a psychological thriller should be. A frightening situation brings crime uncomfortably close to home.’
Tom Rob Smith – CHILD 44 – Simon & Schuster Judges’ comments: ‘This powerful debut evokes the double unthink disorientation and paranoia of the Stalinist era, while never losing sight of the more intimate story. Location and period take it a notch above the usual serial killer narrative.’
David Stone – THE ECHELON VENDETTA – Penguin Judges’ comments: ‘The formulaic title doesn’t do justice to a truly exciting international thriller. Classy and sophisticated, this strange and unsettling novel takes us into some of the darker reaches of the genre.’
Judging panel:
1Corinne Turner (Chair) - Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.
Charlie Higson - author of four adult thrillers and the Young Bond series for children, as well as numerous TV comedy projects including ‘The Fast Show’.
Mike Jecks - author of twenty-five books in the Templar Series, founder of Medieval Murderers, ex-Chairman of the CWA and Morris Dancer!
1Simon Robertson - Buyer for Waterstone’s Bookseller Ltd.
Zoë Watkins - Publishing Manager of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.
Gordon Wise - Former bookseller and publisher, now literary agent.