WATERSTONE'S in Salisbury has announced the long-list for the third Theakston's "Old Peculier" Crime Novel of the Year award, the only literary prize of its kind to be voted for by the general public.

Won by Mark Billingham in 2005 and Val McDermid in 2006, the long-list once again features an eclectic mix of new writers and big names with crime novels across the genre, from historical, to police procedural to psychological.

Manager of the Salisbury store, Jacqui Vines, said: "This is the readers' chance to choose the six short-listed books from a fantastic range representing the very best in crime writing. From PD James and Ruth Rendell to exciting new writers such as Nick Stone and Sophie Hannah."

And to mark the third year of their sponsorship, Theakston's are also launching a web-based competition, which will provide readers with the opportunity to solve a crime.

Celebrated crime author, Natasha Cooper, has written a short crime story especially for web voters to solve. There will be clues appearing on the Festival, Theakstons and Waterstone's websites over the next six weeks, and contestants can then e-mail their suspect to the event organisers and have the chance to win a number of exclusive prizes.

For more information, go to www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime or call in to any branch of Waterstone's.