York novelist shortlisted for £25,000 Walter Scott Prize

Her novel ‘The Mare’ is one of six books up to win the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.

‘The Mare’ is based on the true story of female concentration camp guard Hermine Braunsteiner, who was the first person to be extradited from America from Nazi war crimes.

The novel is one of six shortlisted in this year's Walter Scott Prize (Image: Supplied) Braunsteiner had hidden her past from her American husband, and the novel explores how their lives fell apart when her true identity was revealed.

The Clifton based author, who teaches creative writing at York St John University, said: “I am over the moon to have got to the shortlist.

"The Walter Scott Prize is the most important literary prize for historical fiction, and the list of other authors is fantastic.

"It’s especially exciting to be going to the ceremony in Walter Scott’s home.”

The novel is published by Northern independent press Northodox, who publish authors born and living in the North of England to elevate Northern voices.

The prize ceremony is held at Scott’s home Abbotsford in the Scottish Borders on June 12.