The Crime Writers Association awards these “daggers” annually. This category celebrates the debut novels of up and coming crime writers! For more information on the Dagger Awards, click here.
All Us Sinners by Katy Massey
In 1977 Leeds, as a serial killer dubbed the ‘Ripper’ terrorizes the streets, Maureen runs a discreet brothel where her workers feel relatively safe—until tragedy strikes. When the son of one of her girls is found murdered, Maureen is forced to confront her past and question who she can really trust. This gripping debut from Katy Massey blends crime, danger, and unexpected tenderness.
In the Blink of An Eye by Jo Callaghan
Every 90 seconds, someone goes missing in the UK—just gone, without a trace. When DCS Kat Frank, a widowed cop with sharp instincts, is paired with AI detective Lock on a cold case review, the investigation turns personal—and deadly. As logic clashes with instinct, the unlikely duo must learn to trust each other before another life disappears.
Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor
When twelve-year-old Esther goes missing in the small town of Durton, her best friend Ronnie is determined to find her, refusing to believe she’s gone. As the search unfolds, secrets simmer—Detective Sarah Michaels knows how darkness takes hold, and Lewis holds a truth too dangerous to tell. In this haunting, emotionally rich debut, a fractured community confronts guilt, grief, and what we owe the ones we lose.
The Appeal by Janice Hallett
When the granddaughter of a local theatre director is diagnosed with a rare cancer, the cast rallies to raise money for an experimental treatment—though not everyone believes in it, or in each other. Tensions mount, culminating in a shocking death on the eve of the play’s debut. As a trial looms, two young lawyers dig through the tangled web of emails and letters, suspecting the real killer may still be free.
The Creak on the Stairs by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir
When a woman’s body is found at a lighthouse in Akranes, Iceland, Chief Investigating Officer Elma and her team uncover disturbing secrets from the victim’s past. As buried crimes come to light, the investigation rattles the close-knit town. With danger mounting, Elma must untangle the truth before someone else gets hurt.
The Man on the Street by Trevor Wood
When homeless veteran Jimmy thinks he’s witnessed a murder, the police dismiss him—and even he’s unsure of what he saw. But when the victim’s daughter appears, and missing person posters confirm his suspicions, the two team up to uncover the truth. With danger mounting, Jimmy’s only advantage is that he has nothing left to lose.
Scrublands by Chris Hammer
In a drought-stricken Australian town, a beloved priest shocks the community by killing five parishioners before being shot dead himself. A year later, journalist Martin Scarsden arrives to cover the anniversary but uncovers contradictions in the official story—and a deeper, more dangerous truth. As new revelations emerge and powerful forces close in, Martin must confront his own past while risking everything to expose secrets the town will do anything to keep buried.
Lola by Melissa Scrivner Love
In the violent world of South Central LA’s gang wars, the Crenshaw Six appear to be led by Garcia—but the real power lies with his brilliant and ruthless girlfriend, Lola. Hiding in plain sight, Lola uses her underestimated role to outsmart and outmaneuver rivals as the gang is drawn into a deadly conflict between drug cartels. As betrayals mount, her cunning becomes their only chance at survival.
Tall Oaks by Chris Whitaker
In the quirky town of Tall Oaks, the disappearance of three-year-old Harry sets off a media frenzy and unearths a web of secrets among its residents. As a grief-stricken mother, a mysterious newcomer, a conflicted photographer, and a police chief with his own obsession collide, dark truths begin to surface. Darkly funny and suspenseful, this gripping debut is a twist-filled tale where no one is exactly who they seem.
Dodgers by Bill Beverly
A dark, unforgettable coming-of-age story about East, a young LA gang member sent on a cross-country mission to kill a witness hiding in Wisconsin. As he journeys through unfamiliar America with his volatile younger brother, East is forced to confront questions of identity, loyalty, and his future. Written in stark, powerful prose, the novel marks the arrival of a bold new voice in American fiction.
Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson
In this powerful and unsettling novel, social worker Pete Snow tries to help a feral boy in the Montana wilderness, only to be drawn into the world of the boy’s paranoid, survivalist father. As Pete gains their trust, he becomes entangled in a growing federal investigation and a manhunt with dangerous consequences. Smith Henderson explores the tensions between freedom, control, and the cracks in American society with haunting precision.
The Axeman’s Jazz by Ray Celestin
New Orleans, 1919: A brutal serial killer known as the Axeman stalks the city, prompting Detective Michael Talbot, disgraced ex-cop Luca d’Andrea, and aspiring sleuth Ida to hunt him down. Each driven by their own secrets and motives, they race against time as the Axeman threatens more bloodshed—unless the city plays jazz.
Norwegian By Night by Derek B Miller
Eighty-two and recently widowed, Sheldon Horowitz reluctantly moves to Oslo with his granddaughter, haunted by memories of war and loss. When he witnesses a murder and rescues a young boy, Sheldon goes on the run, using long-buried skills to protect them both. Norwegian by Night is a gripping, poignant thriller about ageing, regret, and an unexpected final act of heroism.
A Land More Kind than Home by Wiley Cash
A haunting literary thriller about two brothers in a small North Carolina town, where a tragic act witnessed by the mute older brother, Stump, shatters their lives. Told through the voices of young Jess, a wise midwife, and a troubled sheriff, the novel explores the collision of innocence, evil, and the power of love and courage in the face of darkness.
Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson
Every time Christine goes to sleep, her memories vanish—her name, her past, even those she loves are lost by morning. As she tries to piece together her life, she begins to suspect the one person she trusts may be hiding the truth. Welcome to Christine’s life.
Acts of Violence by Ryan David Jahn
A gripping debut crime novel inspired by the real-life 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese, whose cries for help were ignored by her neighbors. Set over two harrowing hours, it weaves together the stories of those bystanders—each haunted by their own secrets—revealing a chilling portrait of urban apathy and moral reckoning. With echoes of Crash and Rear Window, it’s a tense, haunting exploration of fear, guilt, and human connection.
The Bethlehem Murders by Matt Rees
Omar Yussef, a longtime history teacher in Bethlehem, is determined to clear the name of a former student accused of collaborating with Israelis in a guerrilla’s murder. Convinced it’s a setup, Yussef races against time to uncover the truth and save his friend from execution.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
After a brief stay in a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker returns to her hometown to cover a disturbing murder and disappearance. Confronting her estranged family and haunted by her past, Camille begins to identify too closely with the victims—and must untangle dark family secrets to survive.
Still Life by Louise Penny
When beloved artist Jane Neal is found dead in the woods, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is called to the quiet village of Three Pines. Though the town seems idyllic, Gamache suspects darkness hides behind its charm—and he must uncover its secrets to find the killer.
Running Hot by Dreda Say Mitchell
Elijah “Schoolboy” Campbell has seven days to escape the violent underworld of Hackney and start fresh—but in a world where one call or text can end everything, getting out isn’t easy. Gritty, sharp, and darkly funny, this is a powerful glimpse into a hidden side of London life.
Amagansett by Mark Mills
In the quiet fishing town of Amagansett, the discovery of a New York socialite’s body in a net shatters generations of coastal routine. As deputy police chief Tom Hollis suspects foul play, war-weary fisherman Conrad Labarde launches his own search for the truth—unearthing long-buried secrets in a tightly knit community.
Mission Flats by William Landay
Small-town police chief Ben Truman is pulled into a dangerous murder investigation when a Boston D.A. is found dead in a remote Maine cabin. As he follows the trail into the gritty streets of Boston’s Mission Flats, Ben uncovers a tangled history of crime, corruption, and buried secrets stretching back decades. This gripping debut blends a relentless mystery with a powerful exploration of justice, memory, and the cost of truth.
The Cutting Room by Louise Welsh
When dissolute auctioneer Rilke discovers a hidden trove of disturbing photographs, his curiosity draws him into a dark underworld of crime and desire. As he digs deeper into the life of their mysterious owner, Rilke finds himself in increasing danger—fighting to escape with both the truth and his life.
The Earthquake Bird by Susanna Jones
In this haunting Tokyo-set thriller, expat Lucy Fly befriends fellow Yorkshire native Lily Bridges—only to lose her lover Teiji and, soon after, become the prime suspect when Lily’s dismembered body is found. As police interrogate her, Lucy recounts a troubled past shaped by isolation, music, and escape—while struggling to determine her own guilt or innocence. A chilling psychological suspense tale, it blurs the line between truth, obsession, and self-deception.
God is a Bullet by Boston Teran
When his teenage daughter is abducted by a violent satanic cult, small-town cop Bob Hightower teams up with Case Hardin, a former cult member battling her own demons. Their harrowing journey through a brutal world of drugs and ritualistic violence becomes both a rescue mission and a reckoning. In the end, Bob must face the ultimate choice—one foretold by the final, haunting tarot card: Judgement.
Lie in the Dark by Dan Fesperman
Amid the war-torn chaos of Sarajevo, homicide investigator Petric—whose skills are nearly obsolete in a city where sanctioned killing reigns—finds himself probing the close-range murder of a top government official. As he navigates a shattered landscape of gangsters, corrupt bureaucrats, and wary civilians, Petric is drawn into a dangerous pursuit where truth is elusive and survival is uncertain. A gripping thriller set against the haunting backdrop of a city at war.
Garnet Hill by Denise Mina
When Maureen O’Donnell discovers her boyfriend murdered, the police—and even her own family—suspect her. Struggling with trauma and self-doubt, she sets out to uncover the truth, only to stumble upon a web of deception and a second body. Now, Maureen must find the killer before she becomes the next victim.
Body Politic by Paul Johnston
In an independent Edinburgh in 2020, investigator Quint Dalrymple is called to solve a series of gruesome murders. His search leads him into a dark world of government corruption, sex-slavery, and a killer with a chilling method of organ removal.
A Grave Talent by Laurie R King
Detective Kate Martinelli faces a harrowing case: a series of child murders near San Francisco. A lead points to Vaun Adams, a reclusive artist with a disturbing past conviction. As Kate digs deeper, she must confront buried secrets and risk everything to uncover the truth.
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Out of work and out of options, Stephanie Plum blackmails her bail-bondsman cousin into giving her a shot as a bounty hunter—even though she has no idea what she’s doing. With help from seasoned pro Ranger, she sets out to catch her first target: Joe Morelli, a former cop, murder suspect, and the man who once stole her heart. Life in Jersey is about to get chaotic, hot, and very dangerous.
Big Town by Doug J Swanson
Disgraced former prosecutor Jack Flippo scrapes by as a low-rent investigator in Dallas, a city caught between glory and decline. When a sleazy assignment goes sideways, Jack finds himself protecting a woman in danger, unraveling a murder plot, and tangling with a seductive femme fatale bent on revenge and profit. Darkly funny and sharply drawn, this noir debut brims with Texas grit, eccentric characters, and plenty of twists.
The Ice House by Minette Walters
When a faceless corpse is discovered in the ice house at Streech Grange, long-standing rumors about the three reclusive women living there resurface. Chief Inspector Walsh sees a chance to finally implicate Phoebe Maybury, still shadowed by her husband’s mysterious disappearance a decade earlier. But as secrets unravel, a younger detective finds himself drawn to one of the women—and into a web of suspicion, desire, and hidden truths.
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
In 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins, a Black war veteran recently fired from his job, is desperate to pay his mortgage. When a white man in a linen suit offers him good money to find the mysterious Daphne Monet, Easy is drawn into a world of jazz clubs, secrets, and danger. What starts as a simple search quickly becomes a perilous plunge into crime and corruption.
Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
Four women are dead, victims of a sadistic killer known only as “Mr. Nobody,” who leaves behind a trail of horror and few clues. Medical examiner Kay Scarpetta uses cutting-edge forensics to track the killer, but someone inside the investigation is working against her. As the case intensifies, Kay realizes the killer may be coming for her next.
A Real Shot in the Arm by Annette Roome
After a painful divorce and separation from her son, Julia begins receiving ominous letters urging her to search for him in Venice. Drawn into a web of mystery and danger, she travels to Italy, unsure who she can trust—including a charming stranger she meets on the train. As secrets surface and threats close in, Julia must confront her past to uncover the truth—and possibly find hope again.
Death’s Bright Angel by Janet Neel
Against his better judgment, Inspector John McLeish becomes entangled with Francesca Wilson, a woman who knows a little too much about recent violent crimes. As their attraction grows, so does the suspense, leading them into a dangerous web of murder and mystery.
Dark Apostle by Denis Kilcommons
When a man claims he helped orchestrate Martin Luther King’s assassination—and that King himself ordered it—disgraced spy Peter Lacey is sent to investigate. What begins as a low-priority assignment spirals into a deadly hunt for the truth, pitting Lacey against a ruthless assassin. A gripping conspiracy thriller in the vein of Ken Follett and Robert Ludlum.
Tinplate by Neville Steed
Toy shop owner Peter Marklin’s quiet life is upended when a valuable collection is stolen, drawing him into a dangerous web of threats and deceit. A countryside dig offers brief distraction—until the excavation uncovers more than just a crashed Spitfire. As buried secrets come to light, Marklin finds himself the target of someone desperate to keep the past hidden.
The Latimer Mercy by Robert Richardson
When a rare misprinted sixteenth-century Bible is stolen from Vercaster Cathedral and a London actress goes missing, Augustus Maltravers suspects a connection. As he investigates, hidden links between the theft and disappearance begin to surface, drawing him into a deeper mystery.
A Very Private Enterprise by Elizabeth Ironside
Hugo Frencham was the perfect British civil servant—dull, proper, and discreet—until he turned up brutally murdered with a ritual dagger. Sent to Delhi to quietly investigate, George Sinclair uncovers a web of secrets involving smuggling, espionage, and a very un-dull double life. What was meant to be a tidy inquiry quickly unravels into a far messier truth.
The Night the Gods Smiled by Eric Wright
Inspector Charlie Salter, sidelined to a desk job in Toronto, gets an unexpected chance to return to detective work when he’s asked to assist in the murder investigation of a college professor in Montreal. What seems like a simple case of a convention fling gone wrong quickly unravels into something far more complex.
The Ariadne Clue by Carol Clemeau
When priceless gold artifacts and a Greek student vanish from the university museum, classics professor Antonia Nielsen turns to her expertise in mythology to unravel the mystery. Her academic knowledge becomes the key to solving a crime rooted in ancient secrets.
Caroline Miniscule by Andrew Taylor
In the first of Andrew Taylor’s William Dougal series, a postgraduate student specializing in medieval scripts discovers his tutor’s murdered body and is drawn into a deadly search for a hidden cache of diamonds. As the bodies pile up, Dougal and his unpredictable girlfriend Amanda are swept into a dangerous game that takes them across England.
The Ludi Victor by James Leigh
An investigator probes the mysterious deaths of over 500 young men each year—deaths linked to massive insurance losses and a secret no one suspects. His search leads to the Grand Canyon and a deadly contest known as The Game, where he may have to become Ludi Victor IV—the ultimate survivor.
A Running Duck by Paula Gosling
When San Francisco copywriter Clare Randell is shot by a sniper, police suspect Edison—a notorious assassin long pursued by Lieutenant Mike Malchek. After a second attempt leaves Clare’s fiancé dead, Malchek is assigned to protect her, and the two find themselves falling in love under deadly pressure. But just as their bond deepens, Edison strikes again.
Saturday of Glory by David Serafin
When journalist Raul Santos falls to his death from his Madrid flat, Superintendent Luis Bernal must determine whether it was suicide, accident, or murder. As a second gruesome death follows, Bernal is drawn into a web of political intrigue during Spain’s turbulent transition to democracy, where power struggles and secret agendas overshadow justice. A gripping and award-winning debut, introduces Bernal in a thriller where murder is just the beginning.
The Judas Pair by Jonathan Gash
Lovejoy suspects the legendary Judas Pair pistols are mere myth—until two murders prove otherwise. Racing to uncover the truth, he must outwit deadly foes with a clever con to save himself.
The Big Fix by Roger L Simon
Moses Wine, a former Sixties activist turned private detective, is drawn back into politics when Lila Shea returns with a job to stop a damaging smear campaign against a presidential candidate. But when Lila is found dead, Moses must shift his focus from politics to solving her murder.
Don’t Point That Thing at Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli
Introduces Charlie Mortdecai—a degenerate aristocrat, amoral art dealer, and reluctant assassin—who, with his tough manservant Jock Strapp, navigates a chaotic world of stolen paintings, secret police, and high-society mayhem. Packed with dark humor, crime, and stylish debauchery, this thrilling romp is as hilarious as it is suspenseful.
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