Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeCrime author Mark Billingham has been honoured with the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Diamond Dagger, recognising his significant contribution to the genre. The 64-year-old, celebrated for his "sustained excellence" across a prolific career, is best known for his 19-novel Tom Thorne series, which began with his 2001 debut, Sleepyhead. His popular Tom Thorne novels were adapted for television by Sky One, with David Morrissey starring as the titular detective in the Thorne series, which first aired in 2010. For his outstanding contribution to crime fiction, his lasting impact on readers and writers alike, and his commitment to the genre, Mark Billingham is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Diamond Dagger."