Crime writing lawyer shortlisted for two literary awards

Published: 27th June 2008

A leading lawyer at North West law firm Mace & Jones has been shortlisted for two prestigious literary awards.

Mace & Jones head of employment law Martin Edwards has made the shortlist for the Crime Writers Association (CWA) international 'Short Story Dagger' award for his spine-tingling tale 'The Bookbinders Apprentice'. Meanwhile his crime fiction novel 'The Arsenic Labyrinth' has been shortlisted in the annual Lakeland Book of the Year Awards, organised by Cumbria Tourism and well known Cumbrian author Hunter Davies. 'The Arsenic Labyrinth' is the third book in Martin's celebrated Lake District Mysteries series featuring DCI Hannah Scarlett and Oxford historian Daniel Kind.

Martin will contest the 'Dagger' award with legendary American best-seller Michael Connelly, another American, Laura Lippman, CWA Diamond Dagger winner Robert Barnard, and former CWA Chair, and previous winner of the award, Danuta Reah (see notes to editors). The Awards Dinner takes place at the Four Seasons Hotel in London's Park Lane on Thursday 10th July. The Lakeland award is announced two days earlier.

"I'm truly delighted to be shortlisted in both these competitions," he said. "It is very rewarding for a part-time writer to receive this kind of recognition, and to be ranked alongside some of the best writers around is tremendously motivating."

Earlier this month Mace & Jones launched its own short story competition on the theme of justice as part of Liverpool's Capital of Culture celebrations. The competition is open to amateurs and professionals. For more information visit the Mace & Jones website, http://www.maceandjones.co.uk/

Also visit: http://www.martinedwardsbooks.com/