Diamond Dagger Award for Martina Cole

Martina Cole is the author of 25 crime dramas, with total sales of more than 17 million books. The Crime Writers Association (CWA) awards the annual Diamond Dagger award to authors whose crime-writing careers have been marked by sustained excellence.

'It means so much to me to be receiving this prestigious award from my peers at the CWA,' said Martina. 'I can’t believe it’s nearly thirty years since Dangerous Lady was published - some people dismissed me as an Essex girl and a one-book wonder – but as one of my favourite songs goes: "I’m still here"!'

Linda Stratmann, Chair of the CWA, said, 'We are delighted to award the Diamond Dagger to a crime-writing legend,' and Maxim Jakubowski, Hon CWA Vice Chair, said: 'A much-overdue reward for a major crime author who has often been badly overlooked by the critical establishment. Martina has single-handedly created a new crime genre and brought so many new readers on board, and has always been a vocal supporter of her fellow writers in word and deed.'

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