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Hachette dominates almost half of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award longlist with nine nominations across its various imprints.
Headline's Martina Cole and Duncan Campbell, Orion's R.J. Ellory and Ian Rankin, Declan Hughes of John Murray and Hodder's Dreda Say Mitchell and Peter Robinson have all made the 20 strong longlist.
Mark Billingham and Tania Carver of Little, Brown have both been nominated. Billingham has previously won the award on two occasions. The longlist also sees titles from the likes of Nicci French, Peter James, Susan Hill, Val McDermid and Tom Rob Smith.
The public will have three weeks to vote for their favourite title at www.theakstons.co.uk and the result of this vote will determine the eight titles that make it onto the shortlist, which will be announced on 1st July.
The shortlist will also be put to a public vote and the result of this online vote will hold a 20% share within the 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.
The winner of the prize will be announced on the opening night of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate on 22nd July. The winner will receive a £3,000 cash prize, as well as a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by Theakstons Old Peculier.
Simon Theakston said: "The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award continues to grow in importance every year. It’s a real reflection of both readers’ tastes and the current fantastic shape of British crime fiction. This year’s longlist is one of the strongest yet. I am looking forward to seeing which books the public will vote onto the shortlist."
The longlist in full:
In the Dark by Mark Billingham (Little, Brown)
If It Bleeds by Duncan Campbell (Headline)
The Surrogate by Tania Carver (Little, Brown)
The Business by Martina Cole (Headline)
A Simple Act of Violence by R.J. Ellory (Orion)
Until It’s Over by Nicci French (Penguin)
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (Quercus)
Cold in Hand by John Harvey (Arrow)
Skin by Mo Hayder (Transworld)
Vows of Silence by Susan Hill (Vintage)
The Dying Breed by Declan Hughes (John Murray)
Dead Tomorrow by Peter James (Pan Books)
Target by Simon Kernick (Transworld)
A Darker Domain by Val McDermid (HarperCollins)
Gallows Lane by Brian McGilloway (Pan Macmillan)
Geezer Girls by Dreda Say Mitchell (Hodder)
Singing to the Dead by Caro Ramsay (Penguin)
Doors Open by Ian Rankin (Orion)
All The Colours of Darkness by Peter Robinson (Hodder)
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith (Simon & Schuster)