Former Facebook exec Sarah Wynn-Williams paid tribute to Virginia Roberts Giuffre (Image: British Book Awards)
A devastating posthumous memoir by the most prominent accuser of billionaire paedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and the former Prince Andrew was crowned book of the year last night during a glittering ceremony in central London. Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting For Justice, by Virginia Roberts Guiffre, won the non-fiction: narrative category at the British Book Awards – beating titles by Kathy Burke, Ozzy Osbourne and Arundhati Roy.
Roberts Guiffre took her own life aged 41 in April last year but her courageous memoir, detailing abuse and sex trafficking by Epstein and alleging she had sex with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor three times, has sold more than a million copies.
There were cheers at the packed ceremony, hosted by journalist and TV presenter Steph McGovern at the Grosvenor House Hotel, when the winner was revealed. In a video speech, Roberts Guiffre’s co-writer Amy Wallace said: “It was the honour of my career, and it is my honour to be talking to you right now, thanking you for recognising her brave and powerful book. She always wanted this book to reach as many people as possible, and she particularly wanted it to help other survivors of sexual abuse, not just those who suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell.”
The late Virginia Roberts Giuffre, whose memoir won book of the year, with a photograph of herself (Image: Getty)
Nobody’s Girl also shared the Nibbies’ freedom to publish award with Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams, a damning expose of Facebook. In an extraordinary twist because of draconian legal rulings on behalf of Facebook owner Meta, former Silicon Valley exec Wynn-Williams is not allowed to promote or talk about her book – or even appear beside it.
So the cover was blurred for the ceremony and her editor Mike Harpley spoke on her behalf – telling the audience: “The push for accountability is only possible because of brave whistleblowers like Sarah Wynn-Williams“ – as she received a standing ovation and cries of “f*** them” from the audience.
While not allowed to speak about her own book, Wynn-Williams took to the stage to pay tribute to the late Roberts Guiffre, telling the audience: “Virginia understood who silence protected and realised that only truth can protect everyone else.” She added: We are all living in a world that now, more than ever, is dominated by networks of powerful elites, whose wealth too often puts them above the law,” she said. “As they rewrite the rules, they grow arrogant with entitlement and impunity.”
Crime and thriller book of the year, supported by the Daily Express and presented by crime writer and Traitors star Harriet Tyce, was A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith, a charmingly eccentric golden age-era tale of crime and punishment. Smith triumphed against rivals Frieda McFadden, Richard Osman, Dan Brown, Liz Moore and Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. Smith said: “I have just discovered for the first time in my long life what imposter syndrome is!”
Crime and thriller winner Sally Smith with host Stephe McGovern, left, and Traitors star Harriet Tyc (Image: British Book Awards)
Historical novelist Philippa Gregory won fiction book of the year for Boleyn Traitor, set in the treacherous heart of the Tudor court. She told the audience: “I didn’t prepare a speech because I was sure I wouldn’t win! I cannot tell you how many dinners I have eaten in this room, pretending to be glad for the rest of you.”
Author Michael Rosen picked up children’s non-fiction illustrated book of the year for ‘Oh Dear, Look What I Got!’, illustrated by his We’re Going on a Bear Hunt collaborator Helen Oxenbury.
Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury receiving their Nibbie (Image: British Book Awards)
In a landmark night for children’s publishing, young adult author AF Steadman was named author of the year for Skandar and the Spirit War – the finale of her bestselling Skandar fantasy series; while US comic book writer Dav Pilkey, creator of the Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, was named Illustrator of the Year. Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury won the award for the children’s non-fiction illustrated for Oh Dear, Look What I Got!
Three iconic romance authors who died in 2025 – Jilly Cooper, Joanna Trollope and Sophie Kinsella – were commemorated with a special award, The British Book Award for Excellence in Romantic Fiction. While a new award for romantic fiction went to Emily Henry for Great Big Beautiful Life. Henry is “the future of the genre”, said judges.
Debut fiction prize went to Florence Knapp for The Names while book of the year o the discover category was awarded to Marcia Hutchinson for The MErcy Step who paid tribute to her publishers, Cassava Republic Press, who picked up the book after more than 40 rejections.