LYNDA LA PLANTE & JAMES LEE BURKE SHARE CWA DIAMOND DAGGER

The Crime Writers Association has awarded the Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Contribution to Crime Writing to two authors for the first time.

Lynda La Plante and James Lee Burke are the joint recipients of this year’s award.

“By an extraordinary quirk of fate, due to our new voting process, this year’s Diamond Dagger is, for the first time in seven decades, being awarded to two authors,” said Maxim Jakubowski, chair of the CWA Daggers’ committee. “If the Booker prize can do it, so can we!”

La Plante is best known for writing Prime Suspect and Widows television and novel series. Her other series include Lorraine Page, Anna Travis and Trial And Retribution. In 2008, she received a CBE for services to literature, drama and charity. Her memoir is expected to be released later this year.

James Lee Burke’s series about detective Dave Robicheaux spans more than 20 novels. Burke said he was “honoured and humbled” to receive his award. “It is also an honour to have my name among the best mystery and crime writers in the world,” he added.

Khan said: “James Lee Burke’s lyrical depiction of the American south transcends crime fiction – his prose is often considered among the best to have graced the genre. For many, Dave Robicheaux is the very embodiment of the dogged, morally incorruptible detective beset by personal demons – a beautifully rendered character.”

Prime Suspect: Tennison starts Sunday, June 25 on PBS Masterpiece

Don't miss Prime Suspect: Tennison on PBS Masterpiece. This 3 part starts Sunday night June 25 for three episodes. This series is the backstory to the highly acclaimed series Prime Suspect that starred Helen Mirren. In this new 3- part story Masterpiece dials back the clock to spotlight the influences that turned 22 year old rookie policewoman Jane Tennison in to the savvy, single-minded crime fighter that we loved for seven seasons. This new series stars Stefanie Martini as the rookie WPC Jane Tennison -- the iconic role immortalized by Helen Mirren.

A prequel to one of the most innovative crime series in TV history, the program also stars Sam Reid as Jane's mentor, DCE Len Bradfield; Blake Harrison as Bradfield's volatile sergeant DS Spencer Gibbs. Jessica Gunnis is Janet' female colleague and friend, WPC Kath Morgan, and Alun Armstrong is crime family kingpin Clifford Bentley.

I loved this new series. Prime Suspect: Tennison really captures 1973 in every detail. Hats off to the producers, director, writers, and actors. Each episode is an hour and a half, so I binged. Time well spent.


Prime Suspect: Tennison is based on Lynda La Plante's novel Tennison. La Plante won the Edgar for Prime Suspect.