Crime writer Helen Cadbury dies

Crime writer Helen Cadbury has passed away aged 52 following a battle with cancer.

Cadbury was born in the Midlands and grew up in Saddleworth, near Oldham. She lived in Heworth and taught creative writing at a women's prison. She also worked as a drama teacher and actor.

Her debut crime novel To Catch A Rabbit (Allison & Busby) was published in 2013, and was a joint winner of the Northern Crime Award. The second in the series, Bones in the Nest, followed in July 2015, with one more volume still to be published. Meanwhile Valley Press will publish the first collection of her poetry, Forever, Now, in November 2017.

Allison & Busby publishing director Susie Dunlop said: "'We are all devastated at the tragic news of Helen's death... We are so proud to publish her first two books in the Sean Denton series, and will be publishing the third in September this year, with a launch in York in Helen's memory."

Valley Press publisher Jamie McGarry said Cadbury's passing came as "an enormous shock" and paid tribute to an "inspiring, remarkable" woman and a "magnificently talented" novelist and poet. "Many of you will be aware of her battle with cancer, which she spoke about in the Yorkshire Post last year, but this still comes as an enormous shock. Helen was constantly filled with life and ideas, and was speaking only yesterday about launch plans for her forthcoming books. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time; the outpouring of love on social media shows how deeply she'll be missed." McGarry also posted one of Cadbury's poems.

Many in the industry paid tribute to Cadbury on social media with author Clare Mackintosh‏ tweeting: "The lovely, talented, funny @helencadbury died today. I am reading her poetry and buying her crime novels, and thinking of her family", and fellow author Amanda Jennings saying: "A genuine ray of sunshine and warmth has left us today. Wonderful writer. Gorgeous friend. My love to Helen Cadbury's beloved family."

Cadbury's agent Laura Longrigg of MBA Literary Agents said: "Helen was a superb writer, a natural communicator, an all-round amazing person whose death has left us bereft. We loved working with her and the publication of the third Sean Denton novel, a collection of poetry, and the promotion in her home town of York this September, will give us all the chance to celebrate and remember her."

Cadbury is survived by her husband and two sons.