The CWA Short Story Award 2008

Prize: £1,500

Here, in alphabetical order, is the shortlist for the CWA Short Story Dagger, which was announced on 3rd June.

Robert Barnard - PROVENANCE
From The Mammoth Book of Best British Mysteries edited by Maxim Jakubowkski, Constable Robinson Publishing
Judges’ comments: ‘A stylish and intelligent tale of murder in the art world.’

Michael Connelly - ONE DOLLAR JACKPOT
From Dead Man's Hand edited by Otto Penzler, Quercus
Judges’ comments: ‘Harry Bosch plays his own high-stakes game of poker in order to catch a brutal killer - exciting and pacy.’

Martin Edwards - THE BOOKBINDER’S APPRENTICE
From The Mammoth Book of Best British Mysteries edited by Maxim Jakubowski, Constable Robinson Publishing
Judges’ comments: ‘A subtle, insidious, and disturbingly creepy tale of how an Englishman in Venice finds himself offered the job of apprentice to a bookbinder with unusual methods.’

Laura Lippman - ONE TRUE LOVE
From Best American Mystery Stories 2007 edited by Otto Penzler and Carl Hiaasen, Quercus
Judges’ comments: ‘A subtle attempt at blackmail in suburbia gets turned on its head in this clever story.’

Danuta Reah - GLAZED
From Getting Even: Revenge Stories edited by Mitzi Szereto, Serpent's Tail
Judges’ comments: ‘A well-executed tale of comeuppance and revenge in unusual circumstances.’

The winner will be announced at the Awards Dinner, to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in London's Park Lane on Thursday 10th July.

JUDGING PANEL

Further details may be obtained from the CWA Dagger Liaison Officer, Meg Gardiner, by emailing . Any queries should also be addressed to her.