TL Haseeb's crime thriller, The Portrait Maker, has won the prestigious 2025 Joffe Books Prize for unagented writers of color. This gripping police procedural series debut secured a two-book deal with Joffe Books, a £1,000 cash prize, and a £25,000 audiobook deal from Audible. The novel's intriguing premise centers around Detective Inspector Amber Kash, who encounters a celebrity psychologist claiming to have witnessed a murder by a woman already deceased. As the plot unfolds, Amber navigates a complex web of secrets involving a media empire and a mysterious 'cursed' portrait, questioning whether she's pursuing a manipulative murderer or facing a far more sinister threat. The Joffe Books Prize, established in 2021, aims to uncover and nurture diverse talent from Black, Asian, Indigenous, and minority ethnic backgrounds, fostering sustainable careers in the literary world. The panel of esteemed judges, including Vaseem Khan, Ayo Onatade, Heloise Wood, Renita D'Silva, and Rachel Slatter, praised the novel's strong writing and potential for bestseller status. They unanimously awarded the prize to Haseeb, highlighting the story's captivating tension and the protagonist's relatable perspective. Haseeb expressed her shock and gratitude, thanking Joffe Books for their commitment to showcasing diverse voices and recognizing the value of these perspectives. This win marks a significant milestone for Haseeb, who previously celebrated success in the under-eight school beanbag race.
