Abigail Dean has been nominated for one of the UK’s most prestigious crime fiction writing awards - the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year - featuring on the longlist with her Sunday Times bestselling debut novel Girl A. Hailed as “a modern day classic,” the novel follows Lex Gracie, or ‘Girl A’, as she is forced to come to terms with her childhood after her abusive mother dies in prison. A story of redemption, horror, and love, Girl A instantly charted as a Sunday Times Bestseller upon its release.

The award, now in its eighteenth year, is presented by Harrogate International Festivals and recognises the best crime novels published in the UK and Ireland in paperback over the past year. The longlist was selected by an academy of crime writing authors, agents, editors, reviewers, members of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Programming Committee, along with media partners the Express. The award is run by Harrogate International Festivals sponsored by T&R Theakston Ltd, in partnership with Waterstones and the Express, and is open to full length crime novels published in paperback 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022 by UK and Irish authors.

The public are now invited to vote for a shortlist of six titles at www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com. Voting closes on 26th May, with the shortlist announced and winner voting opening on 14th June. The winner will be revealed on the opening night of Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Thursday 21st July, receiving £3,000 and a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by T&R Theakston Ltd.