Canada-based author scoops book prize with Penrith-inspired novel

Jonathan's book, 'The Bingo Hall Detectives', was awarded The Gilpin Hotel Prize for Fiction at the event that was organised by Cumbria Tourism and judged by a panel that included journalist Fiona Armstrong, director of Wordsworth Grasmere Michael McGregor, author Kathleen Jones, and broadcaster Eric Robson. 

Jonathan and his novel (Image: Jonathan Whitelaw)

The book is the Glasgow-born author and former journalist's love letter to a Penrith, an area in which he has made fond memories as a child on family holidays and as an adult, with the awards ceremony taking place in the same hotel where he and his wife shared their first ever holiday together.

He said: "The Bingo Hall Detectives is my ode to the Lake District and Cumbria as a whole.

"It’s a part of the world that’s very dear to me, not to mention beautiful.

"And when it came to creating the characters, I knew there was only one place I wanted to set the book.

"To say I’m flabbergasted that I’ve won the fiction prize at this year’s Lakeland Book of the Year awards would be an understatement.

"I’m absolutely thrilled and I don’t think it’s set in yet.

"The shortlist for the fiction prize was absolutely fantastic this year. As were all of the categories.

"And to be even considered for this prestigious award let alone shortlisted and to win it has been truly the honour of my career.

"I was struck by the sheer volume of wonderful creative and artistic talent Cumbria has.

"The awards were a celebration of that, which is brilliant. Winning the fiction prize has been very special.

"It’s been a wonderful sort of vindication and acceptance by the Cumbria and Lake District community - one that I’ll treasure forever as I love the area, the people, and the culture."

The book forms part of a series of fiction novels that were inspired by Jonathan's love for the area despite living nearly 5,000 miles away in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada.