“Truth” Be Told

Just over a month ago, we brought you news about five books shortlisted for the 2023 Lindisfarne Prize for Crime Fiction, which celebrates “outstanding crime and thriller storytelling of those who are from, or whose work celebrates, the North East of England.” Now we have word that Penrith, Cumbria, resident Karys Frank has won the Lindisfarne for her story Stone Cold Truth.

The Web site of author LJ Ross, who founded this annual literary honor, explains that “Stone Cold Truth follows the story of a daughter who flees her mother’s suffocating love, only to run into her mother’s net from which she can’t escape. Karys says the story came about by magnifying characteristics she found in herself both as a daughter and mother and hoped it would resonate with others. The judges praised Karys for her ‘clever storytelling’, ‘fantastic character development’ and ‘terrific writing’ in her ‘fresh, new and different’ submission exploring the relationship of a narcissistic mother and daughter.”

“As the winner of the prize,” reports the blog In Reference to Murder, “Karys will receive a £2,500 cash prize to support the development of her work, alongside funding for membership of the Society of Authors (SoA) and the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).”