Press release follows:

London, 17 October – Eight months ago Stylist magazine and publishing house Faber and Faber set out to find Britain’s hottest new crime fiction talent – with a £5,000 book deal to be won. After 364 astounding entries, three intensive days of reading entries and a shortlist judged by Ruth Rendell and Stylist editor Lisa Smosarski, the winner has finally been revealed as Kate Griffin, author of the brilliant Kitty Peck And The Music Hall Murders.

Despite all of the entries’ incredible level of talent, Griffin’s opening 6,000 words immediately grabbed the judges’ attention. Ruth Rendell explains, “It’s original, well and simply written and has a horrible but moving subject.” Hannah Griffiths, publishing director at Faber and Faber agrees, “Something about Kate Griffin’s imagination and the way she captures it on the page is very special and rare. Her protagonist – and antagonist – are entirely memorable…