An 18-title longlist has been released for this year's Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, which celebrates "excellence, originality and the very best in crime fiction" by U.K. and Irish authors. The prize is run by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by T&R Theakston Ltd, in partnership with WH Smith and the Daily Express.
A shortlist will be announced June 13, with the winner revealed July 18 on the opening night of Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. The winner receives £3,000 (about $3,765) and an engraved oak beer cask, hand-carved by one of Britain's last coopers from Theakston's Brewery in Masham. Check out the complete longlist here.