John Harvey (author)
Encyclopedia
John Harvey is a British author of crime fiction
most famous for his series of jazz-influenced Charlie Resnick
novels, based in the City of Nottingham
.
The first Resnick
novel, Lonely Hearts, was published in 1989, and was named by The Times
as one of the 100 Greatest Crime Novels of the Century. Harvey brought the series to an end in 1998 with Last Rites, though Resnick
has since made peripheral appearances in Harvey's new Frank Elder series.
The new protagonist Elder is a retired detective who now lives, as Harvey briefly did, in Cornwall. The first novel in this series, Flesh and Blood, won Harvey the Crime Writers' Association
Silver Dagger in 2004, an accolade many crime fiction critics thought long overdue. In 2007 he was awarded the Diamond Dagger for a Lifetime's Contribution to the genre.
in recognition of his literary eminence and his associations with both the University and Nottingham (particularly in the Charlie Resnick
novels).
He is also a big Notts County fan.
Crime fiction
Crime fiction is the literary genre that fictionalizes crimes, their detection, criminals and their motives. It is usually distinguished from mainstream fiction and other genres such as science fiction or historical fiction, but boundaries can be, and indeed are, blurred...
most famous for his series of jazz-influenced Charlie Resnick
Charlie Resnick
Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick is the protagonist of a series of eleven police procedural novels by British writer John Harvey, based in the city of Nottingham. Charlie was noted for his Polish descent and love of both sandwiches and jazz...
novels, based in the City of Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
.
Writing Career
Harvey has published over 90 books under various names, and has worked on scripts for TV and radio. He also ran Slow Dancer Press from 1977 to 1999 publishing poetry.The first Resnick
Charlie Resnick
Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick is the protagonist of a series of eleven police procedural novels by British writer John Harvey, based in the city of Nottingham. Charlie was noted for his Polish descent and love of both sandwiches and jazz...
novel, Lonely Hearts, was published in 1989, and was named by The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
as one of the 100 Greatest Crime Novels of the Century. Harvey brought the series to an end in 1998 with Last Rites, though Resnick
Charlie Resnick
Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick is the protagonist of a series of eleven police procedural novels by British writer John Harvey, based in the city of Nottingham. Charlie was noted for his Polish descent and love of both sandwiches and jazz...
has since made peripheral appearances in Harvey's new Frank Elder series.
The new protagonist Elder is a retired detective who now lives, as Harvey briefly did, in Cornwall. The first novel in this series, Flesh and Blood, won Harvey the Crime Writers' Association
Crime Writers' Association
The Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
Silver Dagger in 2004, an accolade many crime fiction critics thought long overdue. In 2007 he was awarded the Diamond Dagger for a Lifetime's Contribution to the genre.
Nottingham Links
On 14 July 2009 he received an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters) from the University of NottinghamUniversity of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
in recognition of his literary eminence and his associations with both the University and Nottingham (particularly in the Charlie Resnick
Charlie Resnick
Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick is the protagonist of a series of eleven police procedural novels by British writer John Harvey, based in the city of Nottingham. Charlie was noted for his Polish descent and love of both sandwiches and jazz...
novels).
He is also a big Notts County fan.
Standalone novels
- In A True Light (2001)
- Gone to Ground (2007) Shortlisted for Theakston’s Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year Award 2009.
- Nick's Blues (2008 - novella)
- Far Cry (2009)
- A Darker Shade of Blue (2010)
- Good Bait (2012)
Charlie Resnick series
- Lonely Hearts
- Rough Treatment
- Cutting Edge
- Off Minor
- Wasted Years
- Cold Light
- Living Proof
- Easy Meat
- Still Water
- Last Rites
- Trouble in Mind (novella also featuring Jack Kiley) (2007)
- Cold in Hand (2008)
Frank Elder trilogy
- Flesh and Blood (2004)
- Ash and Bone (2005)
- Darkness and Light (2006)
Awards and accolades
- 1989 - The TimesThe TimesThe Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
' list of the Hundred Best Crime Novels of the Last Century for Lonely Hearts - 1990 - CWACrime Writers' AssociationThe Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
Gold DaggerGold DaggerThe Gold Dagger Award was an award given annually by the Crime Writers' Association for the best crime novel of the year.For its first five years, the organization's top honor was known as the Crossed Red Herring Award....
for Fiction (shortlist): Rough Treatment' - 1995 - CWACrime Writers' AssociationThe Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
Dagger in the LibraryDagger in the LibraryThe Dagger in the Library is an annual award given by the British Crime Writers' Association to a particular author. The award is given to a "living author who has given the most pleasure to readers". Yearly shortlists are drawn up from submissions by libraries across United Kingdom, and the final... - 1997 - French CWA award for Best Foreign Novel: Off Minor
- 1998 - Sherlock Award: Last Rites
- 2000 - Grand Prix du Roman Noir Étranger: Cold Light
- 2004 - CWACrime Writers' AssociationThe Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
Silver DaggerSilver DaggerSilver Dagger can refer to:*Silver Dagger , an American folk ballad*Silver Dagger , Crime Writers' Association Award*Silver Daggers, experimental music group*Silver Dagger , a Marvel Comics character...
for Fiction: Flesh and Blood - 2004 - Barry AwardBarry Award (for crime novels)The Barry Award is a crime literary prize awarded annually since 1997 by the editors of Deadly Pleasures, an American quarterly publication for crime fiction readers. From 2007-2009 the award was jointly presented with the publication Mystery News...
for best British Novel: Flesh and Blood - 2007 - CWA Cartier Diamond DaggerCartier Diamond DaggerThe Cartier Diamond Dagger is an award given by the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain to authors who have made an outstanding lifetime's contribution to the genre. The 2011 winner is Lindsey Davis.-Winners:* 1986 - Eric Ambler* 1987 - P. D...
award for a Lifetime's Achievement in the Field - 2007 - Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year AwardTheakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year AwardThe Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award is a crime-fiction award, sponsored by Theakston's Old Peculier. It is awarded annually at Harrogate Crime Writing Festival in the UK, held every July. The winner receives £3000 and a small hand-carved oak beer cask carved by one of...
(longlist): Ash & Bone