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Lee Child has been awarded the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year for his Jack Reacher thriller 61 Hours (Transworld), beating authors including Mark Billingham who has won the prize twice before.
It is the first time Child has won the £3,000 gong, which was awarded this evening (21st July) on the opening night of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate. He was also awarded a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by the brewer.
Simon Theakston, judge and T&R Theakston executive director, said: "All the novels on this year's shortlist were of an exceptionally high standard but 61 Hours was a clear winner. The appeal of the eternal wanderer Jack Reacher is hard to resist as he travels the frozen landscape of South Dakota, fighting the good fight."
Child said: "Oh bloody hell. You know when they say 'I didn't expect to win and so I haven't prepared a speech'? Well, I really didn't expect to win so I haven't prepared a speech! I really didn't expect this! Most of all I'll remember this by following P D James up onto the stage—that really does make it special. Thank you!"
The award, now in its seventh year, was created to celebrate the very best in crime writing and is open to British and Irish authors.
A special presentation was also made to 91-year-old novelist P D James, the winner of the second Theakstons Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award.
Theakston added: “We are also hugely honoured and excited to welcome the crime fiction grandmaster P D James to Harrogate this year, to collect her Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award. Few are as prolific as she, dominating the genre for over 50 years. This award acknowledges that immense achievement."