Peter James and Graham Hurley have both been longlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award. The shortlist will be announced at Crimefest on 20 May.

The CWA Dagger Awards showcase the best works that are published in the field of crime fiction every year. The CWA Dagger in the Library Award, sponsored by The Random House Group, is a coveted prize among crime writers. Authors are nominated by UK libraries and Reader's Groups, based on their entire body of work rather than a single title. The winner will be announced during the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate, on 22 July and as well as the Dagger the winner will receive £1,500.

Peter James' Roy Grace novels have been previously shortlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. DEAD LIKE YOU is the sixth book in the Roy Grace series, and was published by Macmillan in October 2010. The Roy Grace series is sold around the world to 34 languages. His new title in the series, DEAD MAN'S GRIP will be published by Macmillan in May this year.

Graham Hurley's bestselling Portsmouth-based Faraday and Winter crime series has twice been nominated for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. The latest title, BORROWED LIGHT is published by Orion, and Hurley is now writing the last book of the series.

Praise for Peter James:

'A terrific thriller...DEAD LIKE YOU is a haunting page-turner that seamlessly blends psychological suspense with police procedure, echoing the heart and voices of such authors as P. D. James and Ian Rankin at their best.' -- Jeffery Deaver, author of ROADSIDE CROSSES

'Roy Grace ... is fast becoming one of the more memorable coppers in modern crime fiction ... A first class police procedural.' -- The Times

Praise for Graham Hurley:

'Hurley's Portsmouth-based series gets better with each book. He handles multiple storylines skilfully with - as always - vividly realised characters. Hurley is now firmly at the top, with few rivals in this genre.' -- Sunday Telegraph

'These are how crime novels should be written and they push Hurley right to the forefront of British crime writers, where he richly deserves to be.' -- Independent on Sunday