I have news!

On Saturday, I attended the British Library in London for the CWA Dagger in the Library announcement. As my partner and I walked up to the gates, a woman was walking the other way. She was the spitting image of my friend and mentor, Carole Blake, whose agency I joined as a debut author and who, sadly, is no longer with us. I'm not normally superstitious but it made me wonder: was it a sign? An hour later, I was accepting the award! 

Grateful thanks must go to my amazing agent, Oli Munson, who has always believed in me; my publisher, Wayne Brookes, at Pan Macmillan; the CWA; the judges; the Reading Agency and my fellow shortlisted authors: Andrew Taylor, James Oswald, Kate Ellis, SJ Sansom and Tana French - all fine writers. As for me, I’m still pinching myself! And Carole, this is for you too! She'd have been the first to raise a glass. 

Mari x