The shortlisted titles for this year’s East Midlands Book
Award have been announced and they could not be a more diverse group of
books. Nominated authors will probably claim “it’s an honour just to be shortlisted”
and they'd surely be right here. I’m not sure how much value can be added by
winning the award – aside from the monetary one – as comparing such a varied collection
must be like picking a favourite piece of cutlery: they have different jobs to
do.
This year’s judges must select from seven titles that
include a picture book for young children, a complex crime thriller, a history
of forensic science, a love story set in last days of the Raj, a poetry collection,
an emotional journey set in mid-20th Century Jamaica, and a short
story collection. Good luck with that then.
Surely this year it is the ‘being nominated’ that counts,
especially given the quality of books that missed out (I won’t dwell on the
noticeable omissions). That said, I like a bit of competition (I’d pick the
spoon) so, at the very bottom of this article, I’ll let
you know who I think will win.
And the shortlisted books are:
The Unquiet Grave by Steven Dunne
The fourth of Dunne’s DI Brook series set in Derbyshire.
Brook is in the constabulary’s basement, forced to work in the Cold Case Unit
when an unsolved murder piques his interest leading to an investigation that spots
a string of deaths spanning half a century.
The Unquiet Grave is vivid, chilling and complex. My full
Nottslit review should appear in the Left Lion later this year.
Derby’s Steven Dunne is a former freelance journalist and
secondary school teacher.
Under the Jewelled Sky by Alison McQueen
An ill-fated marriage unravels, setting in motion a
devastating chain of events that bring Sophie face to face with a past she has
tried desperately to forget. This is a tender story of love, loss of innocence,
and the aftermath of a terrible decision no one knew how to avoid.
A captivating, evocative and heart-breaking love story of
scandal and hope; set in a forbidden world in the last days of the Raj.
Alison McQueen lives in a quiet village in rural
Northamptonshire.
Silent Witnesses by Nigel McCrery
This book lifts the lid on the important work of the
forensic scientist, with a globe-trotting look at the history of forensics over
the last two centuries, and some of the influential individuals at its
forefront, proving that, in order to solve ever more complicated cases, science
must always stay one step ahead of the killer.
An interesting, at times enlightening, work from the
ex-police officer and creator of the BBC series Silent Witness.
Nigel McCrery lives in West Bridgford, Nottingham.
Division Street by Helen Mort
Helen Mort is an award-winning poet and this is her
much-anticipated debut collection. Published by Chatto & Windus, Division
Street was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize 2013 and the Costa Poetry Award
2013.
One of the rising stars of British poetry.
Helen Mort has been appointed as the new Derbyshire Poet
Laureate.
The Pre-War House and Other Stories by Alison Moore
This is a debut collection of short stories from Alison
Moore (no stranger to a shortlist herself). The stories range from an early
publication to new works, many of which have received critical acclaim. The
tales are intriguing with several dark and psychological themes that stay with
you.
The collection has been described by Dan Powell as ‘…a
controlled and powerful piece of prose fiction…’
Alison Moore lives near Nottingham.
Gloria by Kerry Young
Gloria Campbell is sixteen years old when a single violent
act alters the course of her life forever. Living a new life in Kingston,
Jamaica, Gloria faces tough decisions in this story of love in many forms. We
follow her evolution from a frightened girl on the run to a woman fully
possessed of her own power.
An enthralling and illuminating story of love and redemption
set against a turbulent historical backdrop.
Now based in the East Mids, Kerry Young was born in
Kingston, Jamaica, to a Chinese father and mother of mixed Chinese-African
heritage.
Too Small for My Big Bed by Amber Stewart (author) and Layn
Marlow (Illustrator)
This story about Piper, a little tiger cub, his bedtime
routine and his mother, provides a reassuring message for toddlers who find it
hard to settle themselves back to sleep.
‘…a touchingly sweet story about growing up and taking the
first steps towards independence. (Daily Mail)
Amber Stewart lives in Buckinghamshire.
This year's two judges - Kathy Daszkiewicz and Laura Malpass
will be joined by "guest judge" Anne Zouroudi (the 2012 winner) to
select their favourite. The winning author will receive a cheque for £1000 at
the EMBA finale in mid-May in Northamptonshire.
The award is administered by Writing East Midlands on behalf
of Trustees Kathy Bell, Ross Bradshaw, John Lucas and Jane Streeter, all acting
in an individual capacity.
Shortlisted authors will be invited to read at West
Bridgford Library on 8th May and Five Leaves Bookshop prior to the winner being
announced.
My prediction to win is Alison McQueen but I hope the award returns
to Nottingham.
