A man living near Retford in Nottinghamshire is committing murder, and getting rewarded for it.
The murders are being committed to paper, the prize is the Barrie award, and the man is an ex- journalist with over 25 years of experience. Although he wrote his first 'novel' an the age of 13, Stephen Booth knew he he had honed his skills to good effect when in 1999 he won the £5,000 Lichfield Prize. This is one of the UK's biggest awards for an unpublished novel. He won with his mystery 'The Only Dead Thing'.  | | 'Dancing With Virgins'. |
His first two crime novels have been greeted with no less acclaim. The first novel 'Black Dog' won the Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel at Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention, held in Washington DC during November. It was also nominated for the Anthony Award for Best First Mystery Novel. His second book, 'Dancing with the Virgins' was shortlisted for the UK's top award for crime writing, the Macallan Gold Dagger, presented by the Crime Writers' Association. He came close but couldn't quite pull off winning the dagger.  | | Stephen Booth and some of his awards |
The novels have well drawn characters, enthralling plots and a great sense of place. The countryside of Derbyshire is as well drawn as any of the characters. His third book is entitled 'Blood on the Tongue'. If his writing style proves to keep on developing in the way it has over the first two books it will be a cracker. The author has a website where the first chapter of his books can be read along with more information and photographs. | 
