Dagger in the Library

The Dagger in the Library (Golden Handcuffs in 1992–1994) is an annual award given by the British Crime Writers' Association to a particular "living author who has given the most pleasure to readers".^[1] Yearly shortlists are drawn up of the ten authors most nominated, online, by readers, and the final decision is made by a panel of librarians. It was sponsored by Random House until 2015.

Winners

2020s

• 2024 – Anthony Horowitz^[2]
• 2023 – Sophie Hannah^[3]
• 2022 – Mark Billingham^[4]
• 2021 – Peter May^[5]
• 2020 – Christopher Brookmyre^[6]

2010s

• 2019 – Kate Ellis
• 2018 – Martin Edwards
• 2017 – Mari Hannah^[7]
• 2016 – Elly Griffiths^[8]
• 2015 – Christopher Fowler
• 2014 – Sharon Bolton^[9]
• 2013 – Belinda Bauer^[10]
• 2012 – Steve Mosby^[11]
• 2011 – Mo Hayder^[12]
• 2010 – Ariana Franklin^[13]

2000s

• 2009 – Colin Cotterill^[14]
• 2008 – Craig Russell
• 2007 – Stuart MacBride
• 2006 – Jim Kelly
• 2005 – Jake Arnott
• 2004 – Alexander McCall Smith
• 2003 – Stephen Booth
• 2002 – Peter Robinson
• 2000 – 2001 – in abeyance

1990s

• 1997 – 1999 – in abeyance
• 1996 – Marian Babson
• 1995 – Lindsey Davis
• 1994 – Robert Barnard
• 1993 – Margaret Yorke
• 1992 – Catherine Aird