We are thrilled to announce that Andrew Taylor has been longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, with his novel A SCHOOLING IN MURDER!

From household names to thrilling new voices, these awards are a cornerstone of the literary calendar, championing storytelling that chills, captivates and inspires.

Each award showcases a unique strand of crime writing – with opportunities for readers to get involved, cast their votes, and discover the genre’s brightest talent.

Each year, a longlist of 18 titles is carefully selected by a panel of industry experts. The public is then invited to take part in two key stages of the voting process: first, to help determine the shortlist of six novels from the longlist, and later, to help choose the overall winner from the shortlist. In both stages, the public vote is combined with the judging panel’s decision to reach the final outcome. The winner will be announced at the Opening Ceremony of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which will next take place on Thursday 23 July 2026.

The winner will receive a £3,000 cash prize and a hand-engraved oak beer cask, crafted by one of Britain’s last remaining coopers at Theakston’s Brewery in Masham, North Yorkshire. Past winners include Mark Billingham, Denise Mina, Lee Child, Val McDermid, M.W. Craven, Jo Callaghan and 2025’s winner, Abir Mukherjee.