The Daggers, founded in 1955, are the oldest crime writing awards and have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over half a century. For the third year running, ALCS is delighted to be sponsoring the prestigious CWA ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction.

The ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction is awarded for any non-fiction work on a crime-related theme by an author of any nationality, provided the book was first published in the UK in English during the judging period. The award encompasses, though is not limited to, non-fiction works relating to true crime, historical crime, crime-related biography, crime-fiction literature and critical studies.

ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction shortlist:

Casey Cep, Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee (William Heinemann)

Peter Everett, Corrupt Bodies: Death and Dirty Dealing in a London Morgue (Icon Books)

Caroline Goode, Honour: Achieving Justice for Banaz Mahmod (Oneworld Publications)

Sean O’Connor, The Fatal Passion of Alma Rattenbury (Simon & Schuster)

Adam Sisman, The Professor & the Parson: A Story of Desire, Deceit & Defrocking (Profile Books)

Susannah Stapleton, The Adventures of Maud West, Lady Detective (Picador)

Linda Stratmann, Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, said: “As the CWA Daggers are unmatched for their reputation and longevity, these shortlists offer a showcase of the finest writing in crime fiction and non-fiction. They reveal the remarkable variety and huge relevance of the genre, which continues to dominate book sales and to shape our cultural landscape.”

The winners of the 2020 Daggers will be announced at an awards ceremony, due to take place on 22 October.

The full shortlist can be found here.