THE TUMBLING GIRL by Bridget Walsh makes 2024 ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger shortlist

We’re thrilled to share the news that THE TUMBLING GIRL by Bridget Walsh has been shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger 2024.

Nick Rennison picked THE TUMBLING GIRL for The Sunday Times list of ‘The best historical fiction books of May 2023’, saying ‘Bridget Walsh’s THE TUMBLING GIRL is the first in what promises to be an entertaining series of historical mysteries… a narrative that neatly weds historical detail and quiet wit’ – and the CWA shortlisting is another accolade confirming this promise and the pleasure Walsh’s series is bringing to readers.

One of the annual, highly esteemed CWA prizes, the 2024 ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger is awarded to the best UK-published crime novel by a first-time author of any nationality. Previous winners include BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by S. J. Watson, THE CUTTING ROOM by Louise Welsh and THE AXEMAN’S JAZZ by Ray Celestin.

The other shortlisted titles for this year’s prize are: IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE by Jo Callaghan, THE GOLDEN GATE by Amy Chua, THE MAIDEN by Kate Foster, WEST HEART KILL by Dann McDorman and GO SEEK by Michelle Teahan.

The shortlists for all the 2024 CWA prizes were announced on 10th May at Bristol’s CrimeFest, the UK’s largest crime fiction convention, and the winners will be announced at the award ceremony at the CWA Gala Dinner on 4th July.

Maxim Jakubowski, chair of the CWA Daggers’ committee, commented: ‘Once again, our independent judges across all the Dagger categories have come up trumps. Their selections feature well-established authors and new faces, a refreshingly diverse palette highlighting the talent of writers from all origins and publishers large and small, and a steadfast affirmation of how healthy the crime and mystery field is right now.’

The first of the sharp and sparkling Variety Palace Mysteries, THE TUMBLING GIRL sees an unlikely duo team up to solve a grisly spate of murders in Victorian London. It won the UEA Little, Brown Award for Crime Fiction in 2019, and was first published by Gallic Books in May 2023, garnering starred reviews in Publishers Weekly (where it was also a ‘Book of the Week’ pick) and the Library Journal. It also reached No. 1 in the US Amazon Kindle Historical Thriller chart. 

The second in the series, THE INNOCENTS, was published in April 2024. It also achieved a starred review in Publishers Weekly and was included in The Guardian’s ‘The best recent crime and thrillers’ round-up as well as The Financial Times’ ‘Best New Crime Books’ list. Bridget is currently working on the next in the series, THE SPIRIT GUIDE, which sees Minnie and Albert uncovering the dark secrets behind a female-only spiritualist group that purports to help its members commune with deceased loved ones. It will be published by Gallic Books in Spring 2025.

About Bridget Walsh

Bridget Walsh lives in Norwich. She has a PhD in ‘Murder in the Victorian Domestic Sphere’ and an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia.

More Praise for THE TUMBLING GIRL

‘Ms. Walsh does a splendid job depicting Minnie’s flea-bitten yet appealing theatrical world and Albert’s monied yet treacherous milieu.’ – Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

‘Walsh impresses in this series launch featuring an unlikely pair of investigators in 1876 London… diligent research pays off in spades here, and her rich and nuanced portrayal of the period will leave readers feeling like they’re on the soggy streets of London. Imogen Robertson readers will be eager for a sequel to this un-put-downable mystery.’ – Publishers Weekly, starred review and a ‘Books of the Week’ pick

‘Walsh resurrects the culture and crimes of Victoriana without cliché or condescension, but with warmth, wit, remarkable texture and rare authority.’ – Tom Benn

‘Such an accomplished crime murder mystery, with an addictively gritty plot and truly remarkable cast of characters. I fell in love with this deliciously dark and compelling Victorian read.’ – Essie Fox

 Visit Bridget’s website.

 Follow Bridget on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

THE TUMBLING GIRL longlisted for 2024 ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger

THE TUMBLING GIRL by Bridget Walsh has been longlisted for the 2024 ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger.

One of the annual, much sought after Crime Writers’ Association prizes, The 2024 ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger is awarded to the best UK-published crime novel by a first-time author of any nationality. Previous winners include THE APPEAL by Janice Hallett, SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn and DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS by Walter Mosley.

The other titles in contention this year are: A MOST UNUSUAL DEMISE by Kathryn Black, IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE by Jo Callaghan, THE GOLDEN GATE by Amy Chua, SCORCHED GRACE by Margot Douaihy, MURDER BY NATURAL CAUSES by Helen Erichsen, THE MAIDEN by Kate Foster, THE GOLDEN SPOON by Jessa Maxwell, WEST HEART KILL by Dann McDorman, OBSESSED by Liza North, GO SEEK by Michelle Teahan, and THE OTHER HALF by Charlotte Vassell.

The shortlist will be announced on 10th May at the CrimeFest convention in Bristol, and the winners will be revealed at the CWA gala dinner on 4th July.

Photo credit: Isobel Dixon

The first of the sharp, witty Variety Palace Mysteries, THE TUMBLING GIRL sees an unlikely duo team up to solve a grisly spate of murders in Victorian London. It won the UEA Little, Brown Award for Crime Fiction in 2019, and was first published by Gallic Books in May 2023, garnering starred reviews in Publishers Weekly (where it was also a ‘Book of the Week’ pick) and the Library Journal. It also reached No. 1 in the US Amazon Kindle Historical Thriller chart, and was a ‘Best Historical Fiction’ pick for May 2023 in The Times. 

The second in the series, THE INNOCENTS, was published earlier this month to excellent reviews from publications such as The Guardian and The Financial Times – with the latter including it in their ‘Best New Crime Books’ list and describing it as ‘historical crime fiction at its most beguiling’. Gallic Books held a lively publication launch at Stanford’s Travel and you can read about Bridget’s inspiration for the novel in her article in The Scotsman here.

Bridget is currently working on the next in the series, THE SPIRIT GUIDE, which sees Minnie and Albert uncovering the dark secrets behind a female-only spiritualist group that purports to help its members commune with deceased loved ones. It will be published by Gallic Books in Spring 2025.

You can catch Bridget at Leicester Library on World Book Night (Tuesday 23rd April, 7pm) in conversation with Tom Benn, ahead of her taking part in the programme at Crimefest in May and Harrogate Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in July.

About Bridget Walsh

Bridget Walsh lives in Norwich. She has a PhD in ‘Murder in the Victorian Domestic Sphere’ and an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia.

Praise for THE TUMBLING GIRL

‘Bridget Walsh’s THE TUMBLING GIRL is the first in what promises to be an entertaining series of historical mysteries… a narrative that neatly weds historical detail and quiet wit.’ – Nick Rennison, The Sunday Times, ‘The best historical fiction books of May 2023’

‘Ms. Walsh does a splendid job depicting Minnie’s flea-bitten yet appealing theatrical world and Albert’s monied yet treacherous milieu.’ – Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

‘Walsh impresses in this series launch featuring an unlikely pair of investigators in 1876 London… diligent research pays off in spades here, and her rich and nuanced portrayal of the period will leave readers feeling like they’re on the soggy streets of London. Imogen Robertson readers will be eager for a sequel to this un-put-downable mystery.’ – Publishers Weekly, starred review and a ‘Books of the Week’ pick

‘A brilliantly written page-turner. A bravura performance tumbling us into a compelling mystery in a vivid, richly imagined world. You can smell the greasepaint and hear the roar of the crowd on every page.’ – Imogen Robertson

‘Smart, funny and expertly plotted, THE TUMBLING GIRL cartwheels off the page. I loved my time with these characters. A cracking start to a charismatic and distinctive series.’ – Emma Styles

‘Walsh resurrects the culture and crimes of Victoriana without cliché or condescension, but with warmth, wit, remarkable texture and rare authority.’ – Tom Benn

Visit Bridget’s website.

Follow Bridget on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

Gallic Books snaps up third in Bridget Walsh’s atmospheric Variety Palace Mystery series

Gallic Books has landed THE SPIRIT GUIDE, the latest novel from Bridget Walsh and the third in the Variety Palace Mysteries series. Gallic’s Managing Director Joe Harper acquired world English language rights to the novel from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency for publication in Spring 2025.

The first in the series, THE TUMBLING GIRL, won the UEA Little, Brown Award for Crime Fiction in 2019, and was published by Gallic Books in May 2023, garnering starred reviews in Publishers Weekly (where it was also a Book of the Week Pick) and the Library Journal. It also peaked at No. 1 in the US Amazon Kindle Historical Thriller chart, and was a Best Historical Fiction Pick for May 2023 in The Times. The second, THE INNOCENTS, will be published in April this year by Gallic Books and has also received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, as well as being a The Financial Times ‘Best New Crime Books’ pick.

THE SPIRIT GUIDE returns to the Victorian London that served as a backdrop to Walsh’s previous two titles. It’s 1879, and an investigation into two mysterious deaths leads detective duo Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook to the Spirit Sisterhood, a female-only spiritualist group purporting to help its members commune with deceased loved ones.

Minnie isn’t buying it. Going undercover at the organisation’s countryside house, she finds herself drawn into a strange but alluring world of seances and spirits. But she is isolated from Albert and everyone she loves, and her situation becomes more dangerous by the hour.

Jo Harper says: ‘We are very proud to publish Bridget, and are delighted to have the opportunity to bring THE SPIRIT GUIDE – an absolutely brilliant crime novel – to existing fans of The Variety Palace Mysteries, and new readers, around the world.”

Walsh says: ‘Working with Gallic on the first two Variety Palace Mysteries has been a real joy. I’m delighted that the next episode in Minnie and Albert’s adventures will remain in such very capable hands.’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘Bridget Walsh takes readers – and her enterprising duo Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook – to thrilling and menacing new places with THE SPIRIT GUIDE, a brilliant follow-up to the first two Variety Palace Mysteries. It’s a wonderful journey to be on with Gallic Books.’

About Bridget Walsh

Bridget Walsh lives in Norwich. She has a PhD in ‘Murder in the Victorian Domestic Sphere’ and an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia.

 Praise for The Variety Palace Mysteries

‘Historical crime fiction at its most beguiling.’ – Barry Forshaw, The Financial Times

‘A narrative that neatly weds historical detail and quiet wit.’ – Nick Rennison, The Sunday Times, ‘The best historical fiction books of May 2023’

‘Ms. Walsh does a splendid job depicting Minnie’s flea-bitten yet appealing theatrical world and Albert’s monied yet treacherous milieu.’ – Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

‘Diligent research pays off in spades here, and her rich and nuanced portrayal of the period will leave readers feeling like they’re on the soggy streets of London.’ – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review and a ‘Books of the Week’ pick

‘Victorian crime at its exciting and grittiest best. Don’t miss it’ – Essie Fox, author of THE FASCINATION

‘Rich with theatrical detail and brimming with brilliant characters, this is a series not to be missed’ – SJ Bennett, author of MURDER MOST ROYAL

‘You can smell the greasepaint and hear the roar of the crowd on every page.’ – Imogen Robertson

Visit Bridget’s website

Follow Bridget on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram

Gallic Books acquire Edward Carey’s dazzling EDITH HOLLER

EDITH HOLLER, Edward Carey’s first full-length novel since 2018’s internationally acclaimed LITTLE, has  been sold to Gallic Books. Gallic’s Managing Director, Joe Harper, acquired the UK and British Commonwealth rights to this ‘raucous, blistering, beautiful, and totally indelible’ novel from Isobel Dixon with publication planned for autumn 2024, accompanied by a ‘standout publicity campaign’ from FMcM.

EDITH HOLLER tells the story of a bright, inquisitive girl who spends her days among the boisterous denizens of the Holler Theatre, warned by her domineering father that the playhouse will literally tumble down if she should ever leave its confines. Fascinated by tales of the city she has only seen through her window, Edith decides to pen a play of her own: a stage adaptation of the legend of Mawther Meg, whose local delicacy Beetle Spread is rumoured to have been made from the blood of children.

But when her father suddenly announces his engagement to a peculiar, imposing woman named Margaret Unthank, heir to the actual Beetle Spread fortune, Edith scrambles to protect her father, the theatre, and her play – the one thing that is truly hers – from the newcomer’s sinister designs.

Edward Carey says: ‘I am so very delighted to be back with my beloved Gallic for my new novel EDITH HOLLER. Gallic have looked after my books in the most generous and ingenious ways, and I couldn't be happier to have a fourth book published by this incredible team.’

Joe Harper says: ‘We are thrilled to be once again publishing Edward Carey at Gallic Books. Teeming with a theatrical cast of characters and brought to life by Edward’s fantastical illustrations, EDITH HOLLER is a surprisingly modern fable of one young woman’s struggle to escape her family’s control, and in doing so, craft her own destiny. It is timely, brilliant, a love letter to Norwich, and will be adored by Edward’s many readers new and old.’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘It’s a joy when an author is given creative space by dedicated publishers. Edward Carey’s blazing talent and originality is in full force in this splendid book and I am so pleased that Edith and the Holler Theatre are in excellent hands with Joe Harper and the Gallic Books team.’

La Nave di Teseo have bought Italian rights, while Riverhead will publish EDITH HOLLER in the USA and Canada at the end of the month. See below for more on the pre-publication praise and Starred Publisher’s Weekly review affirming Edward Carey as a major literary talent.

About Edward Carey

Edward Carey is a writer and illustrator who was born in North Walsham, Norfolk, England, during an April snowstorm. Like his father and his grandfather, both officers in the Royal Navy, he attended Pangbourne Nautical College, where the closest he came to following his family calling was playing Captain Andy in the school’s production of Showboat. Afterwards he joined the National Youth Theatre and studied drama at Hull University.

He has written plays for the National Theatre of Romania and the Vilnius Small State Theatre, Lithuania. In England his plays and adaptations have been performed at the Young Vic Studio, the Battersea Arts Centre, and the Royal Opera House Studio. He has collaborated on a shadow puppet production of Macbeth in Malaysia, and with the Faulty Optic Theatre of Puppets.

Edward has lived in England, France, Romania, Lithuania, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, and the United States and now teaches Creative Writing at the University of Austin, Texas. He was awarded the prestigious Italian Fernanda Pivano Prize in 2016 and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2019.

He is the author of the novels OBSERVATORY MANSIONS, ALVA & IRVA, THE IREMONGER TRILOGY (HEAP HOUSE, FOULSHAM and LUNGDON), LITTLE and THE SWALLOWED MAN, all of which he illustrated. His book B: A Year in Plagues and Pencils is a visual chronicle of a year in lockdown and has been published in different editions in the UK, America and Italy. LITTLE has been acclaimed around the world and has sold over 100,000 copies in twenty countries.

Praise for EDITH HOLLER

‘Carey draws on fairy tales and Shakespeare for a dazzling bildungsroman… [EDITH HOLLER] affirms the author’s standing as a major literary talent.’ – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

‘EDITH HOLLER is that rarest thing, a newly written tale that feels as though it's been discovered behind the stacked stone walls of an abandoned estate. It’s eldritch, raucous, blistering, beautiful, and totally indelible.’ – Maria Dahvana Headley, New York Times bestselling author of THE MERE WIFE

‘A raucous romp through the world of early 20th-century theater, with its barrels of fake blood and donkeys living in the bowels of the understage to provide the muscle for scene changes. In ways both witty and dark, the novel brilliantly probes the distinction between drama and real life, audience and performer, actor and character. And the whimsical illustrations, all drawn by Carey himself, are the perfect accompaniment to a story about an art form as visual as it is verbal. A wonderfully strange and quirky tale about the power of penning and performing tales.’ – Kirkus Reviews

‘Edward Carey is an extraordinary craftsman, and EDITH HOLLER is a masterpiece. Carey’s prose teems with wonderfully twisted humour and play, breathing life into the spirits that haunt its gothic framework. It is that special novel that makes you wonder why there aren’t more like it. The answer, of course, is that there is just one Edward Carey. EDITH HOLLER is singular – a dark delight from beginning to end.’ – Erika Swyler, bestselling author of THE BOOK OF SPECULATION and LIGHT FROM OTHER STARS

‘Brilliant and shiver-inducing, EDITH HOLLER is a delightfully macabre achievement, equal parts Charles Dickens and Sweeney Todd. Through Edith’s keen eyes we come to know her family theatre and its many denizens – each a masterpiece of oddity – as well as the frightening newcomer who threatens to topple her very world. A bravura performance.’ – Helene Wecker, New York Times bestselling author of THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI

Visit Edward’s website
Follow Edward on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram

Exciting new historical crime series by debut author Bridget Walsh sold to Gallic Books

Gallic Books have acquired World English Language rights to the first two novels in the Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook series by Bridget Walsh from Isobel Dixon. Set in Victorian London, both THE TUMBLING GIRL and THE INNOCENTS are fast paced, gripping mysteries that will delight fans of Janice Hallett and Anthony Horowitz’s Sherlock Holmes novels.

The first, THE TUMBLING GIRL, follows Minnie and Albert as they investigate the brutal murder of Minnie’s best friend Rose. But there is more to this murder than meets the eye, and as the bodies pile up and danger closes in, Albert’s feelings for his new partner start to interfere with the investigation. THE INNOCENTS continues their story…

Joe Harper, MD at Gallic Books, says: ‘We are delighted to be publishing Bridget’s debut. THE TUMBLING GIRL is the first in a gripping, evocative mystery series and we can’t wait to introduce readers to Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook.’

Bridget Walsh says: ‘These books grew out of my fascination with the darker, sometimes unexpected side of Victorian life. I’m delighted that Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook have found such a great home and am very excited to develop the series with the team at Gallic.’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘When I first heard Bridget read at an event, I was immediately struck by the story, characters and atmosphere she so deftly conjures. I’m delighted that Gallic Books are giving THE TUMBLING GIRL a good home and can’t wait for readers to meet Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook too!’

THE TUMBLING GIRL will be released in May 2023, with its sequel, THE INNOCENTS, following in 2024.  You can pre-order THE TUMBLING GIRL now.  

About Bridget Walsh

BRIDGET WALSH was born in London to Irish immigrant parents. She studied English Literature and was an English teacher for 23 years, before leaving the profession to pursue her writing. Bridget lives in Norwich with her husband, Micky, and her two dogs.

THE TUMBLING GIRL is her first novel and won the UEA Little, Brown Award for Crime Fiction 2019.

Follow Bridget on Twitter.