Crime Thriller Awards…

Having read the other shortlisted books for the CWA John Creasey ‘New Blood’ Dagger, I have to admit that expectations of ‘Shadow of the Rock’ coming home with the trophy were, shall we say, realistic — all three were mesmerising — but an excellent night was nonetheless had at the glitzy ‘Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards’ last week. I think perhaps my sense of a probable lack of victory was clear as I walked straight through the red carpet area, quietly star spotting –Emilia Fox, Idris Elba, Ian Rankin et al — but without making myself known to the organisers. As a result, a frantic TV production assistant tracked me down just before the ceremony began saying that I was the only nominee who hadn’t done the requisite press interview. A rapid march down the back corridors of the Grosvenor House Hotel ensued, after which I was photographed with a mugshot clapper board saying AUTHOR NOMINEE, then quizzed in front of a camera on what my book was about. Having guzzled a significant amount of champagne before that point, the whole thing slightly washed over me; I then returned to the Bloomsbury table and the ceremony began. When Kara Tointon (pictured) read out Derek B. Miller as the winner, there was no shock, only envious respect; when the other nominees were filmed as he approached the stage, and crime guru Barry Forshaw appeared on the big screen with my name below, it was somehow unsurprising as well — clearly this was not a night when the Rock was due to triumph. Barry took his reassignment with good humour; as he did my increasing lack of coherence as white wine, then red wine followed the champagne. The evening starts to fade out with my wife and me seated at the table, wondering which cast member of Arne Dahl to approach first. An amazing experience, all told, and a big thank you to the CWA…