AN AUTHOR has been shortlisted for a major crime novel award for the fifth time.

Elly Griffiths, from Brighton, has been nominated for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2022 for the 13th instalment in the Ruth Galloway series.

The shortlisted book, The Night Hawks, sees Ruth, a Norfolk-based forensic archaeologist, called when a group of metal detectorists discover a body buried on a beach with Bronze Age treasure.

The find leads to a series of murders seemingly linked to the local legend of a spectral dog whose appearance heralds death.

Despite having been shortlisted on five previous occasions, Elly has never won the award.

The Argus: Elly Griffiths, from Brighton, has been nominated for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2022 for her 13th instalment in the Ruth Galloway series Elly Griffiths, from Brighton, has been nominated for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2022 for her 13th instalment in the Ruth Galloway series

She was also the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Programming chairwoman in 2017.

The other nominees are True Crime Story by Joseph Knox, Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd Robinson, Slough House by Mick Herron, Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan and The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean.

It is the 18th year the awards have been held, with a record number of votes being placed this year.

Simon Theakston, executive director of Theakston, said: “What a fantastic shortlist - six thrilling tales which deliver shocking twists and unforgettable characters.

“We raise a glass of Theakston Old Peculier to all of the shortlistees and look forward to revealing the winner in July as we kick off the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.”

You can choose the winner online, with voting closing on July 8.

The winner will be announced on the opening night of Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on July 21.

The award comes with a £3,000 prize, as well as a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by T&R Theakston Ltd.