Today the Crime Writers’ Association announced that British author Simon Brett will be awarded the 2014 Diamond Dagger Award. His diamond-studded instrument of death will be handed to him (handle first, hopefully) at a gala dinner on 30 June in London by academic Lucy Worsley, who presented the recent BBC documentary A Very British Murder.

The Diamond Dagger winner is elected annually by CWA members, and goes to a writer whose body of work has made a significant contribution to the genre. Brett is the author of over 90 books, within crime fiction and beyond, including the Charles Paris, Mrs Pargeter, Fethering and Blotto & Twinks series. His 1984 thriller A Shock to the System was adapted for film in 1990, and starred Michael Caine.

“He is a writer of great wit and integrity, and his success over the years has been very well deserved,” said CWA chair Alison Joseph. “The Diamond Dagger is awarded not only for a writer’s work but also for their contribution to the genre, and Simon has always been a stalwart supporter of his fellow writers.”

Previous winners have included Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Frederick Forsyth and Elmore Leonard. Last year, the Diamond Dagger went to Lee Child, creator of Jack Reacher. We reviewed Simon Brett’s latest, The Strangling on the Stage, last week. Congratulations to Simon Brett! You can find out more about him on his website here.