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.