CrimeBits 2: MORE Opening Gambits for Great Thrillers & Linked Mystery Puzzles

Short Fiction and Puzzles | Hardback and Paperback | PRE-ORDER NOW! Out December 1.

CrimeBits is back with a new collection of 100 first pages of thrillers, selected by best-selling 'Tartan Noir' author Val McDermid. An exclusive introduction from McDermid will be included, alongside linked mystery logic puzzles. Find more writing challenges, crime trivia, brain-teasers, and editor’s notes inside. 

CrimeBits 2 will be the second installment of the ‘Black Spring Prize for Best Opening To a Crime Book.’ From the 100 finalists, the winner and shortlist will be selected by Val McDermid.

Val says,

'I started my writing career in journalism, first in local papers then in national newspapers. One of the earliest lessons I learned from my first news editor was the importance of grabbing readers from the first paragraph. "There's always competition for your readers' attention," he'd say. "It's your priority to make them read on, so you need to give them a reason to do that." It's the same with novels. That opening has to do one of three things - intrigue them, shock them or make them question their world view. If you think you've got what it takes, send your opening paragraph to Black Spring's contest and I'll pass judgement. Then its fingers crossed for that novel!'

Our resident crime editor, Luca Veste who is the internationally bestselling author of eight novels and the host of the hit podcast Two Crime Writers and a Microphone also contributed an introduction.

Val McDermid says of our CrimeBits editor Luca Veste, ‘I know nobody with their finger more acutely on the pulse of crime fiction. I value his recommendations; they show a great eye for what’s worth my reading time.’