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On Monday at the Savile Club, in the downpour of the British summer, our ten judges sat down over coffee and biscuits to decide on the winner of the 2016 Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition. The debate was heated: every one of our shortlisted novels received passionate support. But ultimately, there can only be one winner. And the winner is …

The Firefly Cage by Nicki Thornton!

Nicki’s magical murder mystery follows Seth, a kitchen boy at the remote Last Chance Hotel – the venue for a secret convention of magicians. But the head magician is murdered, and Seth is horrified to find himself the main suspect. Alongside his only friend, a black cat called Nightshade, Seth must solve the mystery and find out whodunit, before it’s too late …

The novel was described by judges as ‘delightful, unexpected and full of weird imagination’ – packed with beguiling fantasy elements, energy and creativity, The Firefly Cage is a hugely worth winner. Congratulations Nicki: we can’t wait to publish your brilliant novel next year!

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition this year, and a special shout out to our hugely competitive longlist and astonishing shortlist. The success of this year’s competition is all down to you.

The next competition opens on 27 June – watch this space! And check out our round-up of the judging day below ...