The Pepe Carvalho Award, a prestigious literary recognition honoring the iconic detective Pepe Carvalho created by Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, has announced its 2025 winner during the BCNegra festival. This year, the jury has awarded the prize to Algerian author Yasmina Khadra, a prominent figure in contemporary literature known for his profound and socially charged narratives.
The jury, chaired by Carlos Zanón and including members Olga Merino, Lilian Neuman, Esteve Riambau, Xita Rubert, and Daniel Vázquez Sallés, praised Khadra for his courage and lucidity in tackling universal issues such as unemployment, Islamism, corruption, colonialism, terrorism, and repression. According to the jury,
“his novels, faithful to the tradition of noir fiction, challenge us and pose moral dilemmas, immersing readers in an intelligent unease that never sacrifices entertainment or pleasure.”
Yasmina Khadra, whose real name is Mohammed Moulessehoul, was born in Kenadsa, in the Algerian Sahara, in 1955. A former military officer, he began writing under his real name before adopting the pseudonym Yasmina Khadra, inspired by his wife’s name. This change allowed him to bypass military censorship and explore controversial and deeply human themes with greater freedom. Writing in French, Khadra’s work reflects the tensions and contradictions between two cultures—Algerian and French—offering a critical and poetic perspective on an unequal and ever-changing world.
The jury emphasized that awarding the prize to Khadra was “both a pleasure and an act of justice,” recognizing his ability to blend social critique with compelling and richly literary storytelling. Among his most acclaimed works are What the Day Owes the Night, The Attack, and The Sirens of Baghdad, novels that have been translated into multiple languages and celebrated worldwide.
The 2025 Pepe Carvalho Award Finalists
In addition to Yasmina Khadra, the jury selected a group of renowned authors who competed for this year’s award. The list of finalists showcases the diversity and richness of contemporary noir fiction:
1. Yasmina Khadra (Algeria) – Winner
2. Fred Vargas (France) – Known for her detective series featuring Commissaire Adamsberg.
3. Deon Meyer (South Africa) – A writer whose novels explore the social and political complexities of his country.
4. Laura Lippman (USA) – Celebrated for her psychological thrillers and focus on gender and social justice issues.
5. Antonio Manzini (Italy) – Creator of the Rocco Schiavone series, blending dark humor and social critique.
6. Mariana Enríquez (Argentina) – An author who merges noir fiction with elements of horror and magical realism.
7. Javier Cercas (Spain) – Though best known for his historical novels, his foray into noir with Terra Alta has been widely acclaimed.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Pepe Carvalho Award has established itself as one of the most important recognitions in international noir fiction. Since its inception in 2006, it has honored authors such as Henning Mankell, Michael Connelly, Donna Leon, Andrea Camilleri, and Leonardo Padura, among others. In 2024, the award went to Norwegian author Jo Nesbø, creator of the acclaimed Harry Hole detective series.
The award ceremony will take place during the next edition of BCNegra in Barcelona, where Yasmina Khadra will receive the prize and share his thoughts on literature, justice, and power with the audience.
Congratulations to Yasmina Khadra and all the finalists!
