Each year Mystery Writers of America and Minotaur books invites unpublished writers to submit their manuscripts for the First Crime Novel Award. This prize is not awarded each year. It’s deferred until both the panel of MWA judges (published mystery writers themselves) and Minotaur’s experienced editors are satisfied they’ve found a new talent.

Therefore, imagine my delight and amazement in 2019 to hear that my novel had won! At the time it was titled The Rajabai Tower Mystery. Chosen from about 600 entries each year, my book won a prize that had not been awarded in three years!

Attending the Edgar Awards was a dream come true. Imagine you’re a struggling actor auditioning for parts big and small, eking out a living, and suddenly you’re invited to The Oscar Awards! You’re not just attending, you’re a winner! You’ll speak in a vast hall filled with all the pros you most admire!

I attended the Edgar Awards feeling like Cinderella, made an acceptance speech and accepted a contract from Minotaur books, an imprint of Macmillan, the world’s largest publisher of detective fiction.

Renamed Murder in Old Bombay, my historical mystery will be published Nov 10, 2020. Based on real events, this tale is about the mysterious deaths of two young Parsi women during the British Raj which sets a young detective on a surprising path.

On sale Nov 10, 2020.