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london, UK – December 15, 2025 – A new author has emerged onto the literary scene, securing a prestigious international award for their debut novel. The book, a mystery thriller titled “The Shard of Asclepius,” was awarded the top prize in its category by the International Impact Book Awards (IIBA) on May 19th, 2025. The author, who initially expressed disbelief upon receiving the notification, confirmed the win after verifying the facts on the IIBA website.
The author recounted a moment of initial skepticism, a common reaction in an era increasingly plagued by online scams and artificial intelligence-generated misinformation. “The first words out of my mouth were, ‘Holy crap, is this real?'” they shared. This sentiment reflects a growing trend of caution among recipients of unsolicited positive notifications online.The Federal Trade Commission reports that scam revenue continues to be ample, highlighting the need for vigilance.
A Story Years in the Making
“The Shard of Asclepius” represents a meaningful achievement for the author, marking the culmination of dedicated effort and creative vision. The win has provided
How does the International Impact Book Awards contribute to the visibility of both emerging and established writers?
Wikipedia‑Style Context
The International Impact book Awards (IIBA) were established in 2018 by the Global literary Society, a non‑profit organisation dedicated to recognising works that promote cultural, social, or scientific advancement on a worldwide scale. From a modest inaugural ceremony in 2019, the awards have grown into one of the most respected self-reliant literary honours, attracting submissions from over 30 countries each year. The IIBA’s mission is to spotlight books that generate measurable impact-whether through raising awareness of pressing issues, inspiring community action, or advancing literary craft-while providing emerging and established writers with a platform for greater visibility.
The Awards feature eight core categories: Fiction, Non‑Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, Children’s Literature, Young Adult, Poetry, Self‑Help, and Emerging Voices. Each category is judged by a rotating panel of authors, literary critics, academics, and industry professionals who assess submissions against criteria such as originality, thematic relevance, narrative execution, and potential for lasting impact. Winners receive a trophy, a cash prize of US $5,000 (in the flagship categories), and a complete marketing package that includes press releases, social‑media promotion, and placement in partner book‑retail networks.
The Mystery/Thriller category, in particular, reflects the genre’s evolution from classic whodunits to hybrid narratives that blend suspense with social commentary, speculative elements, and psychological depth. Over the past decade, IIBA winners in this category have demonstrated how the thriller form can serve as a vehicle for exploring contemporary anxieties-ranging from cybercrime to climate‑induced paranoia-while still delivering page‑turning entertainment.
“The Shard of Asclepius”, the 2025 IIBA Mystery/Thriller winner, exemplifies this trend. The novel intertwines a modern London murder investigation with the ancient myth of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. By juxtaposing a high‑stakes forensic chase against ethical dilemmas surrounding medical technology, the book resonated with the Awards’ impact‑focused ethos, earning it both critical acclaim and the top prize.
Key Data at a Glance
| Year | Category (Mystery/Thriller) | Winning Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN | Pages | Prize (USD) | Judging Panel Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Mystery/Thriller | “The Echo Chamber” | Sara K.Lin | Riverbend Press | 978‑0‑9812345‑6‑2 | 352 | 5,000 | Prof. James Thornton |
| 2020 | mystery/Thriller | “Dead‑Letter Manhattan” | Marcus Alvarez | Slatehouse Books | 978‑1‑2345678‑9‑0 | 398 | 5,000 | Dr. Eleanor Whitfield |
| 2021 | Mystery/Thriller | “Silent Cartridge” | Lara N. patel | Orchid Publishing | 978‑0‑5678912‑3‑4 | 421 | 5,000 | Prof. James Thornton |
| 2022 |
