Meet the Fiction Winners of This Year's Nibbies

The winners of the 2026 British Book Awards, known throughout the publishing industry as the Nibbies, have been revealed, offering book lovers more read-worthy titles for exciting summer reading lists.

The British Book Awards differ from prizes such as the Booker Prize because they recognize not only literary achievement but also a book's impact on the wider market. Judges consider factors including critical reception, reader engagement, cultural influence and commercial performance.

Among the fiction categories, three titles emerged as standout winners:

Philippa Gregory took home Fiction Book of the Year for Boleyn Traitor, the latest novel in her long-running exploration of Tudor England. The story follows Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, one of the most controversial figures at the court of King Henry VIII. Often remembered for her connection to the downfall of Anne Boleyn and George Boleyn, Jane is reimagined by Gregory as a complex woman trying to survive one of the most dangerous periods in English history. The novel explores court politics, shifting alliances and the personal cost of living close to power.

One of the night's most notable victories came in the Debut Fiction category, where Florence Knapp won for The Names. The novel centers on identity, family relationships and the lasting influence of names and expectations. Through an inventive narrative structure, Knapp examines how seemingly small decisions can shape the course of a person's life. The book attracted attention for its emotional depth and fresh storytelling approach, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about literary debuts of the year.

Crime and mystery readers also had a new winner to celebrate. Sally Smith's A Case of Mice and Murder secured the Crime & Thriller Book of the Year award. Set within London's historic legal world, the novel follows Sir Gabriel Ward, a barrister whose quiet routine is disrupted when a murder investigation unfolds around him. Combining classic detective-fiction elements with courtroom intrigue, the story balances humor, mystery and a carefully constructed puzzle.

Outside fiction, the overall Book of the Year award went to Nobody's Girl, the memoir of Virginia Giuffre. The book tells the story of Giuffre's life, from a difficult childhood and experiences of vulnerability as a teenager to her eventual involvement in Jeffrey Epstein's trafficking network. Rather than focusing solely on the legal cases that later made international headlines, the memoir explores the personal impact of abuse, the challenges of rebuilding a life after trauma, and the determination that led Giuffre to become one of the most prominent voices seeking accountability for victims.

See all category winners here.