Mystery Makers of the Future

Ah, to be young and full of vigor and just on the threshold of making a life of crime. Rather, a life of crime writing. The British Crime Writers’ Association today released the names of “13 regional winners of its short-story competition for young people age 18 and under.” An overall winner in this contest will be announced during the UK’s National Crime Writing Week (June 13-19).

Here are the contenders:

• “A Cordial Encounter,” by Charlotte Gordon, age 15, of Thurso

• “A Cushion Out of Place,” by Claudia Hyde, age 15, of London

• “The Photograph,” by George Neame, age 15, of Bognor Regis

• “Reasons,” by Caroline Angus, age 14, of Carlisle

• “A Girl I Once Knew,” by Beth Tucker, age 15, of Newton Abbot

• “Reaction,” by Laura Aldworth-Beswick, age 16, of Manchester

• “She’s a Rebel, She’s a Saint,” by Laura Waters, age 14, of Isle of Man

• “Severing Ties,” by Jessica Cooper, age 17, of Nantwich

• “The End,” by Lily Scanlan, age 17, of Invergordon

• “The Witness,” by Emily Lumbard, age 11, of Bristol

• “Button,” by Aileigh MacGregor, age 13, of Buckie

• “Anarchy,” by Connor Sterling, age 13, of Darlington

• “A Dreamer’s Nightmare,” by Rachael Wallis, age 17, of Frome

According to the CWA, “The winning entrant will receive an exciting package of prizes, including the opportunity to meet and mingle with best-selling crime writers at CrimeFest 2012 ... The final stage of the competition will be judged by Tom Harper, the 2010-11 Chair of the CWA, and multi-award winning crime writer Martin Edwards.”

Congratulations to all of the contestants.