I’m really thrilled to be able to tell you that this weekend in Cognac, France, I won Le Prix Polar International, for Comme Une Tombe (Dead Simple in French translation), the top award at the 11th Polar Salon held in Cognac this weekend. This is one of the most prestigious literary awards for crimewriting in France. (You can read French reviews for Comme Une Tombe in the Articles section of my site).
Other writers on the shortlist who we beat included Martha Grimes, Henning Mankell and Michael Connelly, so I was in good company!
The word “Polar” means crime novel.
The other French award for which I have been shortlisted, Le Polar Noir, will be announced in Paris on Sunday, February 11th. I am one of three finalists in this award which is voted for my the general public. So get ready to cross those fingers for me once again…!!!
Here’s some pictures from the evening:
The setting for the prize giving ceremony – Chateau De Cognac
PJ receives the prize
PJ Superstar!
The Le Prix Polar Prize
Polar poster