Uketsu's 'Strange Pictures' Nominated for Prestigious UK 'Dagger Award'

The English translation of the horror-mystery novel 'Strange Pictures' (translated by Jim Rion, published by Pushkin Vertigo in January 2025), written by global million-selling author Uketsu (originally published by Futabasha in October 2022), has been shortlisted for the 'Dagger Award' in the translation category, hosted by the Crime Writers' Association (CWA). The winners will be announced on Thursday, July 2nd (Japan time). The Dagger Award, established in 1955, is known as a prestigious mystery literary award worldwide. If it wins, it will be a remarkable achievement for a Japanese work, following last year's winner 'Baba Yaga's Night' by Akira Otani (published by Kawade Shobo Shinsha). This work is a new-style sketch mystery that approaches the truth of multiple incidents based on the discomfort hidden in 'nine strange pictures.' Since its publication in 2022, it has received great acclaim both domestically and internationally, with the total global circulation of the series exceeding 2.1 million copies. To date, it has been decided to be translated and published in 39 countries and regions across five continents. At the end of last year, it was also shortlisted for the 2025 'Book of the Year' selected by the major UK bookstore chain Waterstones, attracting attention as a horror-mystery work from Japan. Furthermore, it has become a bestseller in France, Germany, Thailand, Taiwan, Brazil, and other countries.