Adam S Leslie has captured the fiction prize at the 2024 Nero Book Awards with his English folk horror novel Lost In The Garden, per irishnews.com. The Oxford-based author, who produces music under the name Berlin Horse, impressed judges with his haunting tale of three women drawn into a sinister locale.
The prestigious award, which carries a £5,000 prize, positions Leslie as a contender for the coveted Nero Gold Prize – book of the year 2024 – which offers an additional £30,000 purse. The judging panel praised Leslie’s work for its “vulnerable, rooted characters” and its ability to reflect contemporary Britain through a “distorted lens” in what they described as a “hazy, hypnotic book.”
The second annual iteration of these literary awards, sponsored by Caffe Nero, celebrated excellence across four categories. Sophie Elmhirst’s Maurice And Maralyn: An Extraordinary True Story Of Shipwreck, Survival And Love claimed the non-fiction prize, chronicling the incredible true story of a British couple who survived over 100 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean during the 1970s. Elmhirst, an accomplished journalist previously recognised by the 2020 Press Awards, crafted what judges called a “captivating gem of creative nonfiction.”
In the debut fiction category, Colin Barrett’s Wild Houses emerged victorious. Set in County Mayo, Ireland, this dark comedy weaves together elements of small-town feuds, kidnapping, and life-altering events. Barrett, whose previous work Calm With Horses was adapted for both stage and screen, received praise for balancing wit and menace while maintaining “deep empathy and compassion.”
The children’s fiction prize went to Liz Hyder’s The Twelve, a mysterious tale set against the winter backdrop of the Pembrokeshire coast. Hyder, who previously won multiple awards for her debut novel Bearmouth, continues to demonstrate her mastery of young adult literature.
Gerry Ford, founder and CEO of Caffe Nero, emphasised the exceptional quality of this year’s entries, noting that the winning books “represent the best writing from the UK and Ireland” and will appeal to readers across all ages and preferences. The overall Nero Gold Prize winner will be announced on March 5 in London, with celebrated author Bill Bryson chairing the final judging panel.
- Featured image: Author Adam S Leslie took home the Nero Book Awards fiction prize
