The announcement of the Dagger shortlists is always an important event in the lives of mystery fans, especially those who are Anglophiles (like me). I’m familiar with most of the titles and now want to get a hold of a copy of the twice-listed CITY OF GHOSTS by Ben Creed. Overall, I was very pleased with the nominating judges’ choices.
As in past years, our own Larry Gandle will read and critique the Gold Dagger, Steel Dagger and John Creasey shortlists. Larry was quite pleased when he saw the lists because he has already read a fair number of the titles. However, he is not happy about having to read Robert Galbraith’s TROUBLED BLOOD and its 927 pages. He’ll be listening to the 30-hour audio version of it. Such dedication!
Gold Dagger
S A Cosby, BLACKTOP WASTELAND
Ben Creed, CITY OF GHOSTS
Nicci French, HOUSE OF CORRECTION
Robert Galbraith, TROUBLED BLOOD
Elly Griffiths, THE POSTSCRIPT MURDERS
Thomas Mullen, MIDNIGHT ATLANTA
Chris Whitaker, WE BEGIN AT THE END
Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (Best Thriller)
Robert Galbraith, TROUBLED BLOOD
Michael Robotham, WHEN SHE WAS GOOD
Catherine Ryan Howard, THE NOTHING MAN
Stuart Turton, THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER
Ruth Ware, ONE BY ONE
Chris Whitaker, WE BEGIN AT THE END
John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger
Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, THE CREAK ON THE STAIRS
Ben Creed, CITY OF GHOSTS
Egan Hughes, THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
S W Kane, THE BONE JAR
Stephen Spotswood, FORTUNE FAVOURS THE DEAD
John Vercher, THREE-FIFTHS
Sapere Books Historical Dagger
John Banville, SNOW
Vaseem Khan, MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSE
Chris Lloyd, THE UNWANTED DEAD
Michael Russell, THE CITY UNDER SIEGE
David Stafford, SKELTON’S GUIDE TO DOMESTIC POISONS
Ovidia Yu, THE MIMOSA TREE MYSTERY