We are thrilled to share that the marvellous Mark Billingham, LoveReading fave, is the 2026 recipient of the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Diamond Dagger, sponsored by Karen Baugh Menuhin.
The award recognises authors whose crime writing careers have been marked by sustained excellence, and who have made a significant contribution to the genre.
One of the UK’s most prominent societies, the CWA was founded in 1953 by John Creasey. The awards started in 1955 with its first award going to Winston Graham, best known for Poldark.
25 years ago, Mark Billingham’s debut novel Sleepyhead became an instant bestseller, launching a prolific career as a novelist.
Photo Credit: Steve Best
Born in Birmingham, Billingham worked as an actor and stand-up comedian before becoming a full-time author, best known for playing the role of Gary in the cult children’s TV show, Maid Marian and Her Merry Men. Mark continues to be a regular face and voice on TV and radio.
Sleepyhead introduced us to the wonderfully irascible Tom Thorne, leading to a further 18 books in the series, and which was adapted to screen by Sky 1 in 2010, starring David Morrissey as Thorne. The latest Thorne book, What the Night Brings, was published in June 2025 - Billingham’s 25th book.
The Tom Thorne Books in Publication Order
Bloodline
Cry Baby prequel set in 1996
Billingham said: “Presuming this is not an administrative error, I could not be more thrilled or honoured. To be added to a list that features most of my literary heroes is fantastic. That so many are also friends is the icing on the cake and, for me, a mark of how very special the crime-writing community is.”
Recent recipients of the Diamond Dagger include Mick Herron, Lynda La Plante, James Lee Burke, Peter James, Walter Mosley, Lee Child, Lawrence Block, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly, Lindsey Davis, Andrew Taylor, Martina Cole, Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Robert Goddard, Martin Edwards, Catherine Aird and Simon Brett.
Past icons of the genre acknowledged with a Diamond Dagger include Ruth Rendell, PD James, Colin Dexter, Reginald Hill, and John le Carré.
The DS Declan Miller Books
In 2023, Billingham introduced a new series featuring DS Declan Miller with The Last Dance - which LoveReading's Liz Robinson called: "an addictive and oh-so smart start to a new crime series by one of the best...edgy, witty, and beautifully rewarding, The Last Dance comes with a whopping thumbs up from me."
The Wrong Hands followed in 2024, about which Liz commented: "smart, decisive, and funny as heck, DS Declan Miller fronts a crime series set in Blackpool that enjoys off the wall storytelling."
The third book in the series, The Shadow Step, is due out this year.
Mark Billingham Stand-alones
His stand-alone novels include In the Dark, Die of Shame and Rabbit Hole. A series based on the novels In the Dark and Time of Death was screened on BBC1 in 2017.
What Did The CWA Say?
Nadine Matheson, Chair of the CWA, said: “Across a remarkable body of work, Mark has consistently set the bar for contemporary crime fiction, while also being generous with his time and support to emerging writers. His influence on the genre extends far beyond his own novels, shaping the crime writing community as a whole. For his outstanding contribution to crime fiction, his lasting impact on readers and writers alike, and his commitment to the genre, Mark Billingham is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Diamond Dagger.”
In 2022, Billingham won the CWA’s Dagger in the Library, voted by librarians, for his body of work. He’s also been awarded the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year twice (Lazybones, 2005 and Death Message, 2009).
Sponsor of the CWA Diamond Dagger, Karen Baugh Menuhin, said: “As sponsor of the CWA Diamond Dagger, I am thrilled to congratulate Mark Billingham on being chosen as the 2026 recipient of crime fiction's highest honour. His place amongst crime writing royalty is hard won and richly deserved.”
Mark is also a member of the rock band, The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a combo of bestselling crime and thriller writers (Val McDermid, Luca Veste, Doug Johnstone, Stuart Neville, and Chris Brookmyre) who performed at Glastonbury in 2019 and 2024.
About The Daggers
The CWA Daggers are now regarded by the publishing world as the foremost British awards for crime-writing. As the oldest awards in the genre, they have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over half a century.
Nominations for the CWA Diamond Dagger are recommended by CWA members. Industry experts then narrow these down to a shortlist. The winner is then voted for by a panel of past Diamond Dagger winners.
The Diamond Dagger, sponsored by Karen Baugh Menuhin, is presented at the annual CWA Dagger Awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars of the crime genre,’ which take place this year on July 2nd.
About the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA)
The CWA was founded in 1953 by John Creasey.
Its aim is to support, promote and celebrate this most durable, adaptable, and successful of genres, both fiction and non-fiction, and the authors who write within it. The CWA runs the prestigious Dagger awards, which celebrate the best in crime writing.
A thriving, growing community with a membership encompassing authors of all ages and at all stages of their careers, the CWA is UK-based, yet attracts many members from overseas.
It supports author members, plus literary agents, publishers, bloggers, and editors with a monthly magazine; a digital monthly newsletter from sister organisation the Crime Readers’Association, showcasing CWA authors’ books and events that goes to circa 12,000 subscribers; and Case Files, a bimonthly ezine highlighting new books by CWA members.www.thecra.co.uk
The CWA supports as yet unpublished writers with a bespoke group, The Debuts, many of whom enter the Debut Dagger competition and the Margery Allingham Short Mystery competition.
The CWA run an annual conference and hold chapter meetings throughout the UK, so members can access face-to-face networking and socialising.
It also runs National Crime Reading Month in June: www.crimereading.com
The CWA supports libraries and booksellers, with three Library Champions and a Booksellers Champion. It has links with various festivals and other writers’ organisations, such as the Society of Authors.
#CWADaggers
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