Second paragraph of third chapter:

I took the M6 north. The satnav reckoned cutting across country to Derby and the M1 would be marginally quicker, or taking the M62 later on, but either way meant navigating a tangle of busy motorways with every chance of traffic jams. I stayed on the motorway until Tebay, where I stopped for a late lunch. The farming business that owns this service station offers freshly sourced local food which you can eat while you enjoy the view of the northern Lakes’ fells. I resisted the temptation to sit down for a meal in the restaurant and got a snack from the quick kitchen counter instead. Still, I’d go home the same way, I decided, and stock up with a few treats from the farm shop.

Sixth in Juliet McKenna’s series of novels about Daniel Mackmain, sent on supernatural missions around contemporary England (and in this case Scotland) by the Green Man and other supernatural entities; his girlfriend is a swan-maiden, and the villain this time is a chap who is a part-time giant cat and is wreaking personal havoc in various places.

As well as the complex politics of mythic figures from British folklore, there’s a very good sense of place here, with a particularly well realised Scottish castle in a vivid landscape. The British weather is also a memorable character. I enjoyed it and you can get The Green Man’s Quarry here.

This won the BSFA Award for Best Novel in 2024, beating Airside, by Christopher Priest, and Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, by Wole Talabi, which I have read, and also Descendant Machine, by Gareth L. Powell, and HIM, by Geoff Ryman, which I haven’t. It’s Juliet McKenna’s first major award win in a 25-year career, and not before time.

Just to remind you of last year’s other winning novels: the Clarke Award went to In Ascension, the Hugo to Some Desperate Glory and the Nebula to The Saint of Bright Doors.

I have only one more BSFA winner to go, Three Eight One by Aliya Whitely; and I’ll wind up this reading project with Annie Bot, by Sierra Greer, which won the Clarke Award last month.