Andrea Camilleri and Michelle Birkby shortlisted for the 2016 CWA Dagger Awards

The Crime Writers' Association Daggers have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over fifty years. These prestigious awards started in 1955 with ten Daggers awarded annually by the CWA.

Andrea Camilleri's short story 'As Alice Did' has been shortlisted for the Short Story Dagger. Author of the Inspector Montalbano series, 'As Alice Did' is part of Camilleri's short story collection Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories.

Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories follows Inspector Montalbano from his very first case in Vigàta, in which he stumbles upon a young girl lurking outside a courthouse with a pistol in her handbag. When she is taken in for questioning and won't utter a single word, Montalbano must find another way to learn who she is trying to kill, and why . . .

Michelle Birkby's debut novel, The House at Baker Street, has been shortlisted for the Endeavour Historical Dagger, which is awarded to the best historical crime novel.

When Sherlock Holmes turns down the case of persecuted Laura Shirley, Mrs Hudson - the landlady of Baker Street - and Mary Watson - the wife of Dr Watson - resolve to take on the investigation themselves. From the kitchen of 221b, the two women begin their inquiries and enlist the assistance of the Baker Street Irregulars and the infamous Irene Adler.

A trail of clues leads them to the darkest corners of Whitechapel, where the fearsome Ripper supposedly still stalks. They soon discover Laura Shirley is not the only woman at risk - the lives of many others are in danger too . . .

The winners of all nine CWA Daggers will be announced at a glittering Dagger Awards Gala Dinner in London on 11 October 2016. Peter James will be awarded the Diamond Dagger at the same occasion.

Click here for the full shortlist.