Congratulations to Andrew Taylor who has been awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger 2009

This is the a top award for a crime writer. It is awarded on the basis of merit for sustained excellence in crime writing. 

The winner last year was Sue Grafton.  Previous winners include Lawrence Block, Ian Rankin, Elmore Leonard, Colin Dexter, EdMcBain, Ruth Rendell, Dick Francis, John Le Carré, P.D. James and Robert Barnard

So Andrew is in good company. .

Also congratulations to Eileen Thornton whose book the Trojan Project has been nominated for The Desmond Elliott Prize 2009.