The Dagger Award is a prestigious literary prize presented annually by the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) in the United Kingdom. It recognizes outstanding works in the crime fiction genre, specifically honoring the best crime novel published in the previous year. Established in 1955, the award aims to promote and celebrate excellence in crime writing. The winner is selected by a panel of judges, which typically includes authors, critics, and industry professionals. The Dagger Award is part of a series of awards given by the CWA, including the Gold Dagger and Silver Dagger, each focusing on different aspects of crime literature.