Joseph O'Connor's Shadowplay makes shortlist for Costa Novel Award

Costa have announced the shortlists for their Book Awards. Amongst the contenders for the Novel Award is Irish author Joseph O'Connor with his Bram Stoker-centred book Shadowplay.

The novel deals with Bram Stoker's time in London and explores his relationships with actors Ellen Terry and Henry Irving.

The shortlist for the Novel Award also includes Jonathan Coe's Middle England, Sophie Hardach's Confession with Blue Horses and Rowan Hisayo Buchanan's Starling Days. Check out the shortlists for all categories here.

The winners will be announced in January.

Earlier this month, O'Connor received the Eason Novel of the Year Award for Shadowplay at the An Post Book Awards.

In an interview back in June, the Irish writer told Pat Carty what attracted him to Bram Stoker's story and revealed that his family is actually connected to the Dracula author. Read the complete interview here.