At the British Book Awards, Los Angeles-based computer programmer GT Karber secured the Book of the Year title with his Agatha Christie-themed puzzle book "Murdle." Defeating notable entries including Prince Harry’s memoir "Spare" and Britney Spears’ "The Woman In Me," Karber’s book, which amalgamates elements from Cluedo, Sudoku, and Wordle, achieved significant commercial success by selling 300,000 copies in 2023.
"Murdle" features the character Deductive Logico, a detective inspired by iconic Christie figures like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. The creation of the puzzles began casually with a sketch on a napkin in a coffee shop, which then evolved into an online phenomenon thanks to a code developed by Karber for generating puzzles.
This win is notable as it marks the first time a puzzle book has garnered the prestigious award. Previous winners in the non-fiction category have included figures like Davina McCall and Marcus Rashford, while fiction winners have included Sally Rooney, EL James, and Dan Brown.
The ceremony, which highlighted a broad spectrum of literary achievements, included a panel of judges with notable personalities such as Lorraine Kelly and Adrian Chiles.
"Murdle" was lauded by the publishing community, including Karber’s editor, Cindy Chan, who praised its innovation and addictive quality. The book not only captivated readers in the US but also resonated strongly with UK audiences, celebrated by Karber as a "love letter to British mysteries."
Prince Harry’s "Spare," despite being the UK's top-selling book with over 700,000 copies and significant media attention, did not win in its nominated category. The memoir is known for its candid revelations about Royal Family dynamics and personal anecdotes from Harry’s life.