BCNegra honours Slough House author Mick Herron with Pepe Carvalho Prize

British novelist Mick Herron has been awarded Barcelona's 21st Pepe Carvalho Prize, a literary award, as part of the BCNegra festival.

Herron is known for works such as 'The Secret Hours' and the 'Slough House' series, which has also been adapted into the hit Apple TV+ show 'Slow Horses,' starring Gary Oldman.

The award jury emphasized that the prize recognises Herron's literary career, as well as his "essential contribution" to the renewal of the crime novel, thriller, and contemporary espionage fiction.

The Newcastle-born novelist explains that when he writes, what interests him most is people. "The plot is just an excuse to write about people," he says, "to see how they feel, how they think… and often to focus on people who have been marginalized," Herron told the Catalan News Agency. 

Barcelona City Hall hosted Thursday's award ceremony for the Pepe Carvalho Prize, a literary award previously given to writers such as Jo Nesbø, Andrea Camilleri, Yasmina Khadra, and Claudia Piñeiro.

"I've come to BCNegra several times and never thought I'd be here to receive this award," Herron admits. "I feel thrilled beyond measure."

Looking ahead, he is clear: "I have no idea what the next book will be about, but I have a commitment to the genre." 

The 21st edition of BCNegra takes place from February 2 to 8 at venues across the city.