Abigail Dean and Richard Osman shortlisted at CrimeFest awards

Abigail Dean and Richard Osman are among those shortlisted at this year’s CrimeFest, back in person for the first time since 2019. 

Richard Osman has been shortlisted for the Audible Sounds of Crime Award for The Man Who Died Twice, read by Leslie Manville, and Abigail Dean’s Girl A appears on the £1,000 Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award shortlist. It has also been shortlisted for the Audible Sounds of Crime Award, and the eDunnit Award for best e-book.

Abigail Dean will be vying for the hotly-contested debut award with Hallett’s cosy crime success The Appeal (Viper), Mir’s The Khan (Point Blank), Rahul Raina’s How to Kidnap the Rich (Abacus), Lara Thompson’s One Night, New York (Virago) and David Heska Wanbli Weiden’s Winter Counts (Simon & Schuster). 

The Audible Sounds of Crime Award also has a cash prize of £1,000. All category winners will receive a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award. 

Adrian Muller, co-host of CrimeFest, said: “After two years of hosting our awards online due to Covid restrictions, we’re thrilled we will be announcing and celebrating the winners of 2022’s CrimeFest Awards in person at our convention in Bristol in May.  

“These shortlists show how valuable books have been to all ages, particularly in times of isolation, as sources of escapism, entertainment and enrichment. We’d like to thank Audible and Specsavers for their ongoing support of these awards.” 

The judging panels for the awards are made up of leading British crime fiction reviewers and reviewers of fiction for children and young adults, alongside the members of the School Library Association (SLA). The Audible Sounds award is voted for by Audible listeners. 

Co-host of CrimeFest Donna Moore commented: “We are proud to be one of the few genre awards that recognise e-books and audiobooks, humour, children and Young Adult crime fiction novels. We aim to be the most inclusive of awards to reflect the values of our convention, and the incredible diversity and reach of the genre which dominates the cultural landscape.”

Congratulations to Abigail and Richard on their continued success!