Today the six titles shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2021 were announced.

Now in its fifth year, the Award celebrates the best storytelling across contemporary fiction, regardless of genre.

Spanning crime, literary, historical, fantasy and science fiction genres, the Glass Bell shortlist includes:

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton which was awarded a LoveReading Star Book when it was reviewed: "A reading feast for the eyes, heart, and mind await in this outstanding historical mystery set on the open seas."

People of Abandoned Character by Clare Whitfield, a stunning book adored by the LoveReading team: "a powerfully descriptive and compelling historical crime novel set in the viciously bloody times of Jack the Ripper."

The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant is also beloved of LoveReading: "suitable for both young adults and adults, this reimagined story containing some of the cast of Les Miserables is a wow of a read and a LoveReading Star Book."

The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, a beautiful novel about a young Nigerian housegirl fighting for her freedom and her education makes the list.

Apeirogon by Colum McCann explores the Israel-Palestine conflict and was longlisted for the Booker last year.

Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi,a thrilling murder mystery set in the 1930s.

The titles have been whittled down from the longlist of 12 titles announced in June, which featured Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club and Rosamund Lupton’s Three Hours (both published by Viking). 

David Headley, Goldsboro Books co-founder and MD, and founder of the Glass Bell says: "I can't believe that this is our fifth Glass Bell Award. My team and I are incredibly proud of the prize that we have built over the last few years, celebrating contemporary storytelling of all genres. Stories unite and entertain us, and after the year we've had, this couldn't be more important.

"I think that this year's longlist might be the most varied and diverse we've ever had - with everything from speculative historical thrillers to a thoroughly modern space opera, to one of the most imaginative crime novels I've ever read. And I am delighted to see how many debut novelists we have on the longlist this year. If this list is anything to go by, the future of publishing is strong."

The Award is judged by David and the team at Goldsboro Books, and is the only prize that rewards storytelling in all genres from romance, thrillers and ghost stories, to historical, speculative and literary fiction and is awarded annually to a 'compelling novel with brilliant characterisation and a distinct voice that is confidently written and assuredly realised'.

Last year, the American novelist Taylor Jenkins Reid was awarded the Glass Bell for her 'immersive' and 'captivating' Daisy Jones and the Six, which tells the story of the rise and fall of a fictional 70s rock band. Previous winners are Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave (2017), The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2018) and VOX by Christina Dalcher (2019).

The winner who will receive both £2,000 and a beautiful, handmade glass bell, will be announced on 30th September.