Best crime fiction books for all ages to read this year

The CrimeFest is a popular 'convention for people who like to read an occasional crime novel as well as for die-hard fanatics in the UK' reads a statement on its official website. Created in 2008, the Fest has now become one of the biggest crime fiction events in Europe. Each year, the CrimeFest Awards are chosen by experts and are given to the best crime fiction novels in various categories published in the British Isles last year, which are suitable for readers of different age groups. The CrimeFest Awards for 2019 were announced recently. So, if you love reading crime fictions and are wondering which book to pick next, then check out this list of some award-winning crime fiction books for all ages. P.S: they are perfect for gifting as well!

After the huge sucess of the Harry Potter series, author J.K. Rowling chose to write crime fiction under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Her new book 'Lethal White' won the CrimeFest Award 2019 for the best crime fiction audiobook which is given 'the best unabridged crime audiobook first published in the UK' in print and audio formats. Robert Galbraith's 'Lethal White' is read by Robert Glenister and both of them will share the £1,000 prize. 'Lethal White' is a gripping mystery and a next instalment of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott's story.
(Photo: Sphere)

New York Times bestselling novelist Laura Lippman's 'Sunburn' won the eDunnit Award 'for the best crime fiction ebook first published in both hardcopy and in electronic format'. 'Sunburn' is a psychological suspense novel. The story is about 'a pair of lovers with the best intentions and the worst luck: two people locked in a passionate yet uncompromising game of cat and mouse. But instead of rules, this game has dark secrets, forbidden desires, inevitable betrayals—and cold-blooded murder,' reads the book's blurb.
(Photo: Faber & Faber)

Lynne Truss' 'A Shot in the Dark' won the Last Laugh Award 2019 which is given to the best humorous crime novel. Set in 1957 Brighton, the story revolves around Inspector Steine who enjoys being a policeman. But when an ambitious new constable shows up and starts working on a few cases of burglaries, Inspector Steine is irritated. Meanwhile, when 'Constable Twitten is despatched to the theatre for the night, he sits next to a vicious theatre critic who is promptly shot dead part way through the opening night of a new play. It seems Brighton may be in need of a police force after all,' reads the book's blurb.
(Photo: Raven Books)

Author James Sallis' book 'Difficult Lives – Hitching Rides' won the H.R.F. Keating Award 2019 at the CrimeFest. Named after crime novelist H.R.F. ‘Harry’ Keating, it is given to 'the best biographical or critical book related to crime fiction'. Originally published in 1993 by Gryphon Books, this book is an attempt to report the legacy of Jim Thompson, David Goodis and Chester Himes, who are considered to be the original paperback writers. The individual essays on these writers were first published in literary magazines.
(Photo: No Exit Press)

Best-selling author Lauren St. John's book 'Kat Wolfe Investigates' won this year's best crime novel for children aged 8-12 years. As the title suggests, the story revolves around Kat Wolfe and her animal sidekicks. When Wolfe visits her new home in Bluebell Bay during holidays, she ends up discovering some dark and dangerous secrets and solving a mystery. This book is the first in the middle-grade mystery series and is perfect for young readers.
(Photo: Macmillan Children's Books)

Author Nikesh Shukla's first book for teenagers, 'Run, Riot' won the 2019 award for the best crime novel for young adults (aged 12-16). The plot, according to the book's blurb : 'Aspiring MC Taran and her twin brother Hari never wanted to move to Firestone House. But when the rent was doubled overnight and Dad's chemo meant he couldn't work, they had to make this tower block their home. It's good now though; they feel part of something here. When they start noticing boarded-up flats and glossy flyers for expensive apartments, they don't think much of it - until Hari is caught up in a tragedy, and they are forced to go on the run. It's up to these teenagers to uncover the sinister truth behind what's going on in the block, before it blows their world apart.'
(Photo: Hodder Children's Books)