A RENOWNED best-selling author from Carlisle has been longlisted in the UK's most prestigious crime fiction prize.
M.W. Craven, writer of the popular Washington Poe series, will be in the running for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, the UK and Ireland’s most coveted crime writing award.
The author will be in the running against 18 other crime novels but hopes are high that his novel Dead Ground takes home the glory - a story which follows Craven’s hero Sergeant Washington Poe as he tries to find the connection between a murder at a Carlisle brothel and a heist three years before where nothing was taken.
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He will be competing against Ann Cleeves, Brian McGilloway and two-time winner Denise Mina to name a small few, and will be the only Cumbrian in the running.
"I’ve been attending the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival for ten years and it’s the highlight of my social calendar," Mike said.
"Fun from the moment you get there to the sad moment you have to leave.
"And now I’ve been longlisted for the crime novel of the year, one of the world’s most coveted awards for crime writers.
"To say I’m thrilled is an understatement."
Simon Theakston, executive director of Theakston, said: "Crime fiction seems to have an enduring popularity with readers, and this year’s longlist is a clear indication as to why.
"Books from iconic writers and impressive debuts demonstrate the wonderful talent working in the genre today – the public have got a hard job ahead of them voting for a shortlist of only six!
"We raise a glass of Old Peculier to all the authors on the longlist, and look forward to a celebratory drink with our Award winner in July," he said.
The public are now being invited to vote for a shortlist of six titles at www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com, with voting set to close on May 26, with the winner being announced on June 14.
The accolades don't stop there for Mike this week, as Dead Ground also recieved a nod for the Crime Writers’ Association Steel Dagger event as well his book, The Curator, has also been shortlisted for the Netherland’s major crime award - which is also open to public voting.
If you'd be interested in catching Mr Craven in person to hear about his process, he will be interviewed by Paul Musgrave at the Old Fire Station on June 1 at 7pm - a free to attend event with no booking required.
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