I always like to look at the nominees and winners of the annual Edgar Awards, bestowed by the Mystery Writers of America, to find authors new to me and books to add to my ever-growing TBR pile. Professional writers select the nominees and attendees of the annual MWA convention in May will decide the winners.
Categories include Best Mystery Novel, Best First Mystery Novel by an American Author and Best Paperback/E-Book Original, among many others. See all the categories and nominees. I didn’t see many female protagonists among the Best Mystery Novel nominees so I’m focusing instead on two other, lesser-known categories:
The G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award
The late Sue Grafton wrote the Kinsey Millhone novels, featuring the private investigator who solved crimes in and around Santa Theresa, California. Kinsey is one of my top four GOAT sleuths. To qualify for the award, the book must feature “a strong, independent woman who is a professional investigator,” according to MWA.
This year’s nominees:
- Hard Rain by Samantha Jayne Allen (Annie McIntyre Mysteries Book 2)
- An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo (Kate Burkholder Book 15)
- Bad, Bad Seymour Brown by Susan Isaacs (A Corie Geller Novel)
- Past Lying by Val McDermid (Karen Pirie Novels, 7)
- A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor (Maggie D’Arcy Mysteries, 4)
I’ve recently read the first three books in the Maggie D’Arcy mysteries, about an American police detective who joins the Garda (police) in Ireland, and recommend them. It’s been some time since I’ve read Linda Castillo, but her mysteries set in Amish country are compelling if somewhat graphic (the earlier ones, anyway). I’m most excited about Hard Rain, which gives apprentice P.I. Annie McIntyre her first solo case in the small town of Garrett, Texas.
The Lilian Jackson Braun Award
This categories honors the author of “The Cat Who …” novels and is awarded to the best cozy in a modern setting. There are times when I crave the escapism and sure justice of a cozy mystery, so I always like to have a few in my pile of books to read.
This year’s nominees:
- Glory Be by Danielle Arceneaux (Glory’s debut)
- Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien (Noodle Shop Mysteries #9)
- Hot Pot Murder by Jennifer J. Chow (Book 2 in the L.A. Night Market series)
- Murder of an Amish Bridegroom by Patricia Johns (first in series)
- The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell (first in series)
The only one on this list that I’ve read is Glory Be, which I loved (see my review). The only one of the five not featuring a female protagonist is The Body in the Back Garden, the debut of journalist/amateur sleuth Luke Tremblay, who’s fled to a small hamlet on Vancouver Island after his family rejected him for being gay. I don’t think I’ve read a cozy set in Los Angeles before so I’m adding Hot Pot Murder first to my public library holds.
See anything interesting? I’ll post the winners in May. For even more book suggestions, check out last year’s winners of the big mystery writing awards.
FemaleSleuths.com 