Herron's Slough House named Theakston Crime Novel of the Year

Mick Herron has won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year with Slough House (John Murray). 

The book is the seventh instalment in the bestselling series of the same name, and follows a band of failed spies who have been exiled far from power but find themselves drawn to action as a populist movement hits the streets of London and a Russian spy mission inadvertently results in the death of a British citizen.  

This year marks Herron’s first time winning the award after five appearances in the shortlist in just six years, and follows the launch earlier this year of Apple TV’s acclaimed adaptation of his series, "Slow Horses", which stars Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Herron receives a £3,000 prize, as well as a handmade engraved beer barrel provided by T&R Theakston Ltd.

Joseph Knox was also highly commended for his thriller True Crime Story (Doubleday) which blends fact and fiction to tell the story of a missing persons case, centred around a young student who leaves a party in her Manchester university dorm and is not seen again. American crime author Michael Connelly received the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award in recognition of his writing career, spanning three decades. 

The announcements were made at The Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, during the opening ceremony for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.   

Simon Theakston, executive director of Theakston, said: “Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has a well-earned reputation for showcasing the very best crime writing talent, and tonight’s award winners reflect these high standards perfectly. Mick Herron’s Slough House manages to combine intrigue, peril and humour in a deft exploration of international espionage, while Joseph Knox is a master of suspense with his taut tale of a missing persons investigation at a British university. And of course, last but by no means least, leading light of crime fiction Michael Connelly has gripped us all for decades with his brilliant stories, conjuring up a world of hardboiled LA detectives and shocking court cases. We are thrilled to raise a delicious glass of Theakston Old Peculier in their honour,”  

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, added: “We had an incredibly strong shortlist for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year this year, and the judging panel and public had a tough job on their hands picking one winner. After a lot of discussion, the panel selected the wonderful Mick Herron, whose novel Slough House plunged readers back into the dangerous lives of the brigade of failed spies known as ‘slow horses’. The judges also recognised the irrepressible talent of Joseph Knox, noting him as highly commended for his first standalone novel True Crime Story. 

“We are also delighted to celebrate the remarkable career of Michael Connelly, whose crime novels have kept readers on the edge of their seats for thirty years. Congratulations to Mick, Joseph and Michael, who demonstrate the incredible creativity, passion and imagination to be found in crime writing today. We couldn’t have wished for a better start to this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.”