The Dagger in the Library (Golden Handcuffs in 1992–1994) is an annual award given by the British Crime Writers' Association to a particular "living author who has given the most pleasure to readers".1 Yearly shortlists are drawn up of the ten authors most nominated, online, by readers, and the final decision is made by a panel of librarians. It was sponsored by Random House until 2015.
Winners
2020s
- 2025 – Richard Osman2
- 2024 – Anthony Horowitz3
- 2023 – Sophie Hannah4
- 2022 – Mark Billingham5
- 2021 – Peter May6
- 2020 – Christopher Brookmyre7
2010s
- 2019 – Kate Ellis
- 2018 – Martin Edwards
- 2017 – Mari Hannah8
- 2016 – Elly Griffiths9
- 2015 – Christopher Fowler
- 2014 – Sharon Bolton10
- 2013 – Belinda Bauer11
- 2012 – Steve Mosby12
- 2011 – Mo Hayder13
- 2010 – Ariana Franklin14
2000s
- 2009 – Colin Cotterill15
- 2008 – Craig Russell
- 2007 – Stuart MacBride
- 2006 – Jim Kelly
- 2005 – Jake Arnott
- 2004 – Alexander McCall Smith
- 2003 – Stephen Booth
- 2002 – Peter Robinson16
- 2000 – 2001 – in abeyance
1990s
- 1997 – 1999 – in abeyance
- 1996 – Marian Babson
- 1995 – Lindsey Davis
- 1994 – Robert Barnard
- 1993 – Margaret Yorke
- 1992 – Catherine Aird
References
References
- "The CWA Dagger Awards". CWA. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.]
- "Richard Osman". The Crime Writer's Association. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
- Cooper-Fiske, Casey (2024-07-04). "James Bond author among winners of crime writing awards". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- "2023 Dagger Award Winners Announced". The Crime Writers’ Association. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- "2022 CWA Dagger Awards Announced". The Crime Writers’ Association. Archived from the original on 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- "Dagger in the Library". The Crime Writers’ Association. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- "The Crime Writers' Association Dagger Awards 2020" (PDF). The Crime Writers' Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
- "Winners archive — The Crime Writers' Association". Thecwa.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- "Login". Thecwa.co.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- "Winners archive — The Crime Writers' Association". Thecwa.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- "Winners archive — The Crime Writers' Association". Thecwa.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- "Steve Mosby wins The CWA Dagger in the Library". CWA. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- "Mo Hayder wins the CWA Dagger in the Library, 2011". CWA. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- "Ariana Franklin: winner of the 2010 CWA Dagger in the Library". CWA. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- "The CWA Dagger awards 2009". Crime Writers Association. 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
- "THE CWA Dagger Awards Overview". thecwa.co.uk. 2005-11-05. Archived from the original on 2005-11-25. Retrieved 2026-06-09.