Bublitz sweeps 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards

New Zealand author Jacqueline Bublitz has won both the Best Novel and Best First Novel categories at the 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards, for her debut Before You Knew My Name (A&U).

The judges said Bublitz’s novel, which is the first to win both categories of the award, was ‘beautifully heart-breaking, stylishly written, and boldly pushing the envelope of crime fiction’.

‘Bublitz delivers a beguiling tale with great characterisation: Alice and Ruby are wonderful. This is a tragic but warm-hearted crime novel that gives victims agency and voice.’

‘It’s a remarkable achievement by Jacqueline,’ said Ngaio Marsh Awards founder Craig Sisterson of Bublitz’s double win, ‘especially given the strength of the Best Novel category this year, which included past Ngaios winners in [Paul] Cleave and RWR McDonald, a four-time finalist in Ben Sanders, a two-time Ockhams longlistee in Kirsten McDougall, and a many-times New York Times bestseller in Nalini Singh. Our judges really loved many different books, it was a tough decision.’

Bublitz, whose book was chosen from shortlists announced earlier this month, was presented with the awards at a special event at the Christchurch Word writers festival on 15 September. Before You Knew My Name has also won General Fiction Book of the Year at the ABIA Awards, the Debut Crime and Readers’ Choice prizes at the Davitt Awards and was shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger in the UK.

Category: Awards Local news