Alumni

Frances Crawford (MLitt 2022) has been announced as the winner of the 2026 McDermid Debut Award at this year's Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, for her debut novel, A Bad, Bad Place. 

Named after Scottish writer Val McDermid, the McDermid Debut Award recognises new crime fiction authors in the UK and Ireland. Each year, six books are shortlisted by a group of established authors within the genre, before the winner is decided by a panel of industry experts. 

A Bad, Bad Place is set in Glasgow's Possilpark in the 1970s, and follows 12-year-old Janey and her Nana's journey on the hunt for a murderer, after Janey uncovered the body of a murdered woman, all thanks to her dog, Sid Vicious! 

Frances' novel was celebrated by the judges as "an engrossing read and a remarkable debut".

Reflecting on her win, and her time at UofG, Frances said in conversation with the Alumni Team: 

"It was an honour to win the McDermid Debut Award, especially when the shortlist was made up of such a diverse and talented group. I’m extra proud that the award is named after Val McDermid, a trailblazer in Scottish literature, and someone who has been personally supportive and kind. Without my University of Glasgow MLitt, I would never have had the skills, or the confidence, to write A Bad, Bad Place, and I’ll always be grateful."

The University of Glasgow gives a huge congratulations to Frances for her award and the success of A Bad, Bad Place.

Frances Crawford with her McDermid Debut Award - the hand-carved engraved oak beer cask.

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First published: 28 August 2026