THE TUMBLING GIRL, the first title in Bridget Walsh’s sharp and witty Variety Palace Mystery series, has been shortlisted for the 2024 HWA Debut Crown Award.
The HWA Awards celebrate the best historical writing, fiction and non-fiction, and its ability to engage, illuminate, entertain and inform legions of readers. To be considered, the bulk of the work must take place at least thirty-five years prior to publication.
The other titles on this year’s Debut Crown Award shortlist are as follows: THE GOLDEN GATE by Amy Chua; THE MAIDEN by Kate Foster; THE PAINTER’S DAUGHTER by Emily Howes; THE BEHOLDERS by Hester Musson and THE REVELS by Stacey Thomas.
Ayo Onatade, chair of the judges, says: ‘Once again, we have immersed ourselves in a wide variety of historical novels and the shortlist has taken us around the world… Debut authors continue to show that historical fiction is alive and kicking and that it is always a delight to become engrossed in such wonderful stories. All the judges have thoroughly enjoyed themselves reading the nominations, which get better and better each year.’
THE TUMBLING GIRL was first published by Gallic Books in May 2023, and prior to publication it won the UEA Little, Brown Award for Crime Fiction. It was also shortlisted for the 2024 Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) ILP John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger and reached No. 1 in the US Amazon Kindle New Historical Thriller Chart. It sees an unlikely duo – ex-actress Minnie Ward and private detective Albert Easterbrook – team up to solve a grisly spate of murders in Victorian London.
The action continues in THE INNOCENTS, published by Gallic Books earlier this year to great acclaim: it was included in The Guardian’s ‘Best recent crime and thrillers’ round-up, amongst other accolades. The next novel in the series, THE SPIRIT GUIDE, will be published by Pushkin Press in 2026. THE SPIRIT GUIDE 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.
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
‘It’s a sparkling novel and a complete delight to read. The characters and world are wild, vivid and enchanting. A wry, warm and proper rib-tickling slice of dirty Victorian gothic. And Bridget has such an ear for dialogue, and a flair for character. I can’t wait to see what Minnie and Albert are up to next.’ – Julia Crouch
‘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
‘THE TUMBLING GIRL is brilliant. Travel back in time for a chilling mystery set in London's seedy backstreets and high class clubs. Beautifully written by a true authority on Victorian domestic murder, this book keeps you guessing till the end!’ – A.J. West
Visit Bridget’s website.