The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) of the United Kingdom has announced the 2021 Dagger Awards winners.

The Daggers were first given in 1955, but for the first five years CWA called its top honor the Crossed Red Herring Award.

GOLD DAGGER

This award is for the best crime novel by an author of any nationality.

• Chris Whitaker: We Begin at the End (Zaffre,)

IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER

Eligible books in this category are thrillers set in any period and include, but are not limited to, spy fiction, psychological thrillers and action/adventure stories.

• Michael Robotham: When She Was Good (Sphere)

JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) DAGGER

• Eva Björg Ægisdóttir: The Creak on the Stairs (Orenda)

SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER

• Vaseem Khan: Midnight at Malabar House (Hodder & Stoughton)

CRIME FICTION IN TRANSLATION DAGGER

• Yun Ko-eun: The Disaster Tourist, translated by Lizzie Buehler (Serpent’s Tail)

SHORT STORY DAGGER

• Clare Mackintosh: “Monsters” in First Edition: Celebrating 21 Years of Goldsboro Books (The Dome Press)

ALCS GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION

• Sue Black: Written in Bone (Doubleday)

DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY

• Peter May

 DEBUT DAGGER

A competition for the opening of a crime novel and synopsis, chosen by judges: bestselling author Leigh Russell, editor Stephanie Glencross (of Gregory and Company), Editorial Director at Bonnier Zaffre Katherine Armstrong and director of literary agency A.M. Heath and Co. Oli Munson.

• Hannah Redding: Deception

PUBLISHERS’ DAGGER

• Head of Zeus

 [Thanks to Cora Buhlert for the story.]