Winner

CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith  (Simon & Schuster)

‘This powerful debut evokes the double unthink disorientation and paranoia of the Stalinist era, while never losing sight of the more intimate story. Location and period take it a notch above the usual serial killer narrative.’

Shortlisted

RITUAL by Mo Hayder  (Bantam – Transworld)

‘As we would expect from this writer, a tautly plotted, brilliantly controlled thriller. Ghastly and compelling.’

I SEE YOU by Gregg Hurwitz  (Sphere – Little Brown)

‘Great pace, good dialogue and excellent characterisation combine in a playful take on the LA murder story.’

SHATTER by Michael Robotham  (Sphere – Little Brown)

‘Dark, deep and brooding; everything a psychological thriller should be. A frightening situation brings crime uncomfortably close to home.’

THE ECHELON VENDETTA by David Stone  (Penguin)

‘The formulaic title doesn’t do justice to a truly exciting international thriller. Classy and sophisticated, this strange and unsettling novel takes us into some of the darker reaches of the genre.’

Judges

Corinne Turner (Chair) – Managing Director, Ian Fleming Publications
Charlie Higson – Author of four adult thrillers and the Young Bond series for children, as well as numerous TV comedy projects including The Fast Show.
Michael Jecks – medievalist, writer and past Chair of the CWA
Simon Robertson – buyer for Waterstones Bookseller Ltd.
Zoë Watkins – publications’ manager for works Ian Fleming publications
Gordon Wise – literary agent at Curtis Brown, former publishing director of John Murray