“The Crime Writers’ Association has announced the shortlist for this year’s prestigious Ellis Peters Historical Award. The six books on the shortlist (more details below) are:
Rory Clements* Prince (John Murray)
Sam Eastland The Red Coffin (Faber & Faber)
Gordon Ferris The Hanging Shed (Corvus)
Andrew Martin The Somme Stations (Faber & Faber)
RN Morris The Cleansing Flames (Faber & Faber)
Imogen Robertson Island of Bones (Headline)
CWA chair Peter James said: “Historical fiction remains as popular as ever and has seen the creation of some of crime writing’s most enduring characters. This year’s books continue that fine tradition.“
The winner will be announced on November 30 at the Athenaeum in London.”
*Rory Clements won last year with Revenger.
Well done to the CWA for announcing the shortlist with almost seven weeks to go till the winner is announced. Interested bloggers will at least have a chance to read the books and comment before the final choice is made. This year there is an interesting range of books; Elizabethan, late 18th century England, late 19th century Russia, World War I, 1939 Soviet Union, 1946 Glasgow. But strangely considering the award is named for the creator of the medieval monk detective Brother Cadfael no book set in that period. Full details of the books here at the Crime Writers’ website.
