As chosen by independent bookshops, the Booksellers Association has announced The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood as its Fiction Book of the Month for January 2021 and The Boy Who Met a Whale by Nizrana Farook as its Children’s Book of the Month for January 2021.

From the writer of hit BBC One drama Death in Paradise, The Marlow Murder Club tells the story of Judith Potts, a seventy-seven year old crossword setter who witnesses a brutal murder while swimming in the Thames near her faded mansion outside Marlow. With police investigations falling short and another body turning up, Judith joins forces with a local dogwalker and the vicar’s wife to form the Marlow Murder Club and investigate the puzzle themselves. The Marlow Murder Club is published by HQ and is available in bookshops now.
 
Author Robert Thorogood commented, “When I was growing up, as soon as I was old enough to afford the bus fare, I lived almost entirely in independent bookshops. It was always such a thrill crossing their thresholds. Each one different, each one its own magical kingdom. The sheer personality of the places, staffed by knowledgeable and passionate booksellers. And there was always a whiff of danger as well: because I might find the book I’d come in for, but it could well be sitting on a shelf next to a far more interesting and seditious fringe book. That sense of discovery and surprise is something you only get in independent bookshops. Long may they live." 

From the author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant, The Boy Who Met a Whale follows Razi and his sister, who are hiding out at sea when they meet Zheng, a boy full of stories of shipwrecks, monsters and missing treasure. Razi and Shifa don’t know whether to believe him but soon find themselves on the run from some very real villains. The Boy Who Met a Whale is published by Nosy Crow and is available in bookshops now.
 
Author Nizrana Farook said on the book’s selection, “In the past year since my debut came out, one of the things I’ve enjoyed most is connecting with booksellers, and the generosity and support of indies has been overwhelming. It makes me feel hugely honoured and grateful that The Boy Who Met a Whale has been chosen as the Children’s Book of the Month. It’s an amazing splash into 2021 for my book.”

Independent bookshops around the UK and Ireland will be promoting The Marlow Murder Club and The Boy Who Met a Whale  both in-store and on social media. The Booksellers Association will be supporting the promotion of the Indie Books of the Month through social media and promotional material.

 
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