CWA Historical Dagger

This award is for the best historical crime novel (in the opinion of the judges), first published in the UK in English during the judging period. The novel can be set in any period up to 50 years prior to the year in which the award will be made. For novels that involve passages set later than this time period, at least three quarters of the book should be set in an earlier period.

WINNER 2025

The Betrayal of Thomas True

West, A. J. ISBN: 9781916788596
Paperback / softback

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The only sin is betrayal… It is the year 1715, and Thomas True has arrived on old London Bridge with a dangerous secret. One night, lost amongst the squalor of London's hidden back streets, he finds himself drawn into the outrageous underworld of the molly houses. Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life as Lotty, the molly's stoic guard. When a young man is found murdered, he realises there is a rat amongst them, betraying their secrets to a pair of murderous Justices. Can Gabriel unmask the traitor before they hang? Can he save hapless Thomas from peril, and their own forbidden love? Set amidst the buried streets of Georgian London, The Betrayal of Thomas True is a brutal and devastating thriller, where love must overcome evil, and the only true sin is betrayal…

- Browns Books Synopsis

Shortlist 2025

Bishop, D. V. ISBN: 9781529096552
Paperback / softback

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Lloyd, Chris ISBN: 9781409190370
Paperback / softback

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Mazzola, Anna ISBN: 9781398714328
Paperback / softback

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West, A. J. ISBN: 9781916788596
Paperback / softback

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Whitfield, Clare ISBN: 9781837930883
Paperback / softback

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The CWA is a thriving, growing community and a broad church. Its membership encompasses writers of all kinds of ‘crime’ – embracing procedural, psychological, all types of thriller, cosy, noir and even supernatural and fantasy cross-over. Writers of all crime-related non-fiction, including true crime, are welcomed too. Authors are of all ages and at all stages of their careers,from young debuts to established veterans, and while the CWA is UK-based, it attracts many members from overseas.