Left Coast Crime, held this month in Denver, kicks off the annual cycle of conventions for mystery writers and fans. Those registered to attend the convention nominate books in four categories. Attendees then select the award winners or “Leftys,” which are announced on the final night of the gathering.
Last year, female protagonists swept all four categories; this year, one of the four winning books features a female lead. Note that, to be eligible, books must have been published in 2024.
Lefty Award for Best Debut Mystery Novel
Ghosts of Waikiki by Jennifer K. Morita. I haven’t read this one but the description prompted me to add it to my TBR (to be read) list immediately! Here’s the quick summary from Bookshop.org:
“In this atmospheric debut mystery, an out-of-work journalist and the homicide detective who broke her heart must cipher out a murder before the clock runs out, perfect for fans of Naomi Hirahara and Jane Pek.”
I’m particularly excited to learn more about Hawaiʻi, where I got married (or Maui’ed, as they say). The protagonist, Maya Wong, is a native who reluctantly returns home after her journalism career in California dries up. The author, Morita, is a former journalist and California resident who lived in Hawaiʻi as a child. The book summary also notes that it explores “timely issues in Hawaiʻi, including locals getting priced out of paradise.”
Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery Novel
Cirque du Slay by Rob Osler. From Bookshop.org: “Pint-sized Seattle middle school teacher and gay dating blogger Hayden McCall and his best friend Hollister are invited to a fundraiser for Bakers Without Borders. The celebrity performer, Kennedy Osaka, is the artistic director of Mysterium, an upscale circus arts show combining magic, acrobatics, and a Michelin-star dinner. But Kennedy is a no-show—until she’s found dead in her hotel suite.”
Lefty Award for Best Historical Novel
Hall of Mirrors by John Copenhaver. From Bookshop.org: “When a popular mystery novelist dies suspiciously, his writing partner must untangle the author’s connection to a serial killer in award-winning John Copenhaver’s new novel set in 1950s McCarthy-era Washington, DC.” Also a New York Times Best Crime Novel of the Year.
Lefty Award for Best Mystery Novel
Served Cold by James L’Etoile. From Bookshop.org: “When a cargo trailer packed with dead undocumented migrants is found abandoned in a freeway rest stop, Detective Nathan Parker soon discovers the dead wore identical clothing, were the same age, and weren’t destined for the fields. Parker uncovers a diabolical connection between the migrants and a high-tech computer firm handling sensitive government information.”
Click here to see all nominees in the four categories and to learn more about the awards.
FemaleSleuths.com 