Kay Louise Bowen’s thriller wins NYC Big Book Award

Kay Louise Bowen’s novel Secrets II Vengeance & Revenge was named a winner in the Psychological Thriller category at the NYC Big Book Award, adding international recognition to her earlier Independent Press Award success. The win highlights growing attention on the British author’s suspense series and its sequel’s dark, high-stakes storyline.

Why it matters: - Kay Louise Bowen’s latest award adds momentum to her profile as a psychological thriller author. - The NYC Big Book Award recognition can broaden readership and industry visibility for Secrets II Vengeance & Revenge. - The win follows Bowen’s earlier success with Secrets, which was named a Distinguished Favorite in the 2026 Independent Press Award.

What happened: - The NYC Big Book Award named Secrets II Vengeance & Revenge a winner in the Psychological Thriller category. - The award was announced in September 2026. - Bowen is a British author from Dudley, West Midlands. - The book continues the story begun in Bowen’s debut novel, Secrets.

The details: - The NYC Big Book Award is judged by experts across publishing, writing, editing, design, bookselling, librarianship and professional copywriting. - Winners and distinguished favorites are selected based on overall excellence. - The competition received submissions from around the world, including entries from the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Dubai, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. - Entries also came from cities including Auckland, Baltimore, Dallas, Frankfurt, Hollywood, Johannesburg, Manhattan Beach, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Sydney and West Palm Beach. - Publishers represented in the competition included Beacon Press, Berrett-Koehler, Casemate, Edinburgh University Press, Forbes Books, Kiplinger Books, NYU Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Rizzoli, Routledge, The White House Historical Association, University of California Press, University of Nebraska Press, Weaving Influence Press and Wiley. - Bowen’s sequel follows Gina and Neil Adams after their quiet coastal life in Weymouth is shattered by the disappearance of their young son, Teddy. - The story is set off by the release of their former tormentor, Annabel Hayes. - The plot moves through prison cells and courtroom steps as fragile alliances break down and old grudges return.

Between the lines: - The award reinforces Bowen’s position in a crowded thriller market by pairing a prior national recognition with a new international honor. - The story’s emphasis on revenge, betrayal and suspense suggests the series is being positioned for readers who want dark, fast-moving psychological fiction. - Awards sponsor Gabby Olczak said the event features authors from around the globe and aims to share the books with a worldwide readership.

What’s next: - NYC Big Book Award will announce recipients again next fall. - The organization says its Awards Dinner is set for April 10, 2027, during the BookCAMP event on April 9-10, 2027. - Recipients from both programs will walk on stage to receive their awards at the event. - More information is available from the Independent Press Award, the NYC Big Book Award, the Awards Dinner and BookCAMP.

The bottom line: - Bowen’s sequel has turned an earlier award-winning debut into a broader recognition story, with the NYC Big Book Award giving the series fresh international visibility.