LYMM resident and crime writer Martin Edwards, has received the Macavity award from Mystery Readers International for his book The Life of Crime.
It is the latest accolade in an extraordinary year for Martin, who has received no fewer than six major awards from his crime writing, and three additional nominations.
A major highlight came in April, he and Anthony Horowitz were two British authors to receive prestigious Edgar awards from the Mystery Writers of America at a glittering banquet in New York City.
Martin has also received two lifetime achievement awards this year for his crime writing. The Popular Culture Association honoured him with the George H. Dove award for his outstanding work, previously awarded to the late P.D. James. At the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention in San Diego he received the Golden Derringer for lifetime achievement as a writer of short stories. The only other British author who has ever been similarly recognised was the late Ruth Rendell.
At San Diego, Martin was also presented with the Anthony award for the best non-fiction book of the year. Back in Britain, he has received the H.R.F. Keating award for The Life of Crime and was shortlisted for the Gold Dagger. His novel Blackstone Fell was nominated for the Crime Writers’ Association’s Historical Dagger. This book is the third in his popular series featuring the 1930s detective Rachel Savernake and has recently been followed into print by Sepulchre Street.
‘It’s been an incredible few months,’ Martin said. ‘I’m deeply honoured by this recognition, and it’s also highly motivating as I start work on my next novel!’
And it doesn’t end there. Martin has recently been announced as International Guest of Honour for the World Mystery Convention at Washington D.C. in 2027. ‘I’m looking forward to it already!’ Martin said.
