Christchurch City Libraries lists literary prize winners and links to catalogue searches, but we may not hold copies of all titles mentioned.
The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger is awarded for the best historical crime novel (set in any period up to 50 years prior to the year in which the award will be made) by an author of any nationality. The CWA Historical Dagger was known as the "Ellis Peters Historical Dagger" until 2013.
See other CWA category winners and all the other literary prize winners we list.
2026
A granite silence Nina Alan
2025
The Betrayal of Thomas True AJ West
2024
Viper's dream Jake Lamar
2023
The Darkest Sin D. V. Bishop (New Zealand)
2022
Sunset swing Ray Celestin
2021
Midnight at Malabar House Vaseem Khan
2020
Death in the East Abir Mukherjee
2019
Destroying angel Shona MacLean
2018
Nucleus Rory Clements
2017
A rising man Abir Mukherjee
2016
Stasi child David Young
2015
The seeker S. G. MacLean
2014
The devil in the Marshalsea Antonia Hodgson
2013
The scent of death Andrew Taylor
2012
Icelight Aly Monroe
2011
The Somme stations Andrew Martin
2010
Revenger Rory Clements
2009
If the dead rise not Philip Kerr
2008
Stratton’s war Laura Wilson
2007
Mistress of the art of death Ariana Franklin
2006
Red sky lament Edward Wright
2005
Dark fire C. J. Sansom
2004
The Damascened blade Barbara Cleverly
2003
The American boy Andrew Taylor
2002
Fingersmith Sarah Waters
2001
The office of the dead Andrew Taylor
2000
Absent friends Gillian Linscott
1999
Two for the lions Lindsey Davis