Prized Talents

We have two new bits of crime-fiction awards news.

First off, Scottish author Peter May has won France’s Grand Prix de Littérature Policiere 2025 for his novel The Black Loch (Loch Noir), the unexpected fourth installment in his much-acclaimed Lewis Trilogy, set on an island off the northern coast of Scotland. He is one of two recipients of this prize, which is given out annually to both a French author and a foreign author. The second winner is Mathilde Beaussault, being honored for her debut novel, The Willows (Les Saules).

Second, In Reference to Murder brings word that this year’s PRIDE Award for emerging LGBTQIA+ writers, presented by Sisters in Crime, has gone to Lizabeth Engelmeier of Southern Illinois for her novel-in-progress, Soft Little Monsters. It further explains that “Engelmeier will receive a $2,000 grant to support activities related to career development, including workshops, seminars, conferences, retreats, online courses, and research activities required for completion of her work.” Runners-up for the prize were Shelley Kinsman of Toronto, Ontario; Derek Puddester of Vancouver, British Columbia; Bryn and Rebecca Michelson-Ziegler of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; A. Mitchell of Detroit, Michigan; and Taryn Stickrath-Hutt of Chicago, Illinois.