North Norfolk author shortlisted for Page Turner Awards

Phil Johnson, who lives near Wroxham, said he is “delighted” to have his fast-paced mystery thrillers Killer in the Crowd and Run to the Blue shortlisted for best suited for adaption for TV or film and best book cover of the year awards respectively at the 2023 Page Turner Awards.

“I’m delighted to have been shortlisted for not just one, but for both of my books,” Mr Johnson, who used to be a reporter, producer and news reader for BBC Radio Norfolk, Look East and ITV Anglia, said.

“Having spent a lifetime in TV and worked on many crime programmes, I believe Killer in the Crowd and Run to the Blue - which are both fast-moving mystery thrillers - would make fantastic TV series or films.”

Author Phil Johnson (Image: Phil Johnson)

Killer in the Crowd – the story of a schoolteacher who endeavours to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance by delving deeper into the 1980s music scene and her punk band past – was published last year by Burning Chair Publishing.

It was described by Steve Harley of 70’s hit makers Cockney Rebel as “utterly compelling”.

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Killer in the Crowd has been shortlisted for best suited for adaption for TV or film (Image: Phil Johnson)

Shortlisted for best book cover of the year, Run to the Blue – Mr Johnson’s latest release published in April this year – was described as “a perfect summer read” by former EDP reporter Alison Gilmour

“The shortlisting is also good for my fellow local members of the Crime Writers’ Association, and the Romantic Novelists’ Association as it highlights Norwich as a creative centre,” Mr Johnson added.

“There’s a lot of writing talent in Norfolk, and some brilliant books are coming out of the area.”

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The winners of the awards will be announced in October.

Run to the Blue has been shortlisted for best book cover of the year (Image: Phil Johnson)