Tag: reading
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Shamus Finalists: Four Female PIs Who May Steal Your Heart

My absolute favorite mystery protagonist is a tough female PI who defies common sense in her pursuit for justice. I’m late to discovering the Shamus Awards but thrilled to share these finalists.
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What Kind of Writer Do You Want to Be?

Do you write to market? Write from your heart? Write to change the world? I’m learning from other writers that there is no one right answer. I’m still figuring it out for myself.
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Edgar Awards 2026: What Mystery Writers Selected as The Best

This year’s winners include an unofficial “problem-solver” in Silicon Valley and a zealous journalist pursuing a fugitive who confessed to killing nine people as a teen. Links to winners, nominees.
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Agatha Award Winners 2026: Celebrating Traditional Mysteries

This year’s winners include an historical mystery where Agatha Christie isn’t the author but a suspect, and Dorothy Sayers’ assistant must prove her innocence. Links to winners, nominees.
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The March Sisters Struggle to Solve The Murder of Their Beloved Beth

I adored this thoroughly modern take on Little Women, featuring the March sisters as amateur sleuths uncovering who killed their beloved Beth. This propulsively written tale grapples with current issues, like social media.
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Left Coast Crime Awards 2026: Some Familiar Winners

Two 2026 winners are repeats from last year for their most recent novels featuring female protagonists. See the results of this year’s first big mystery awards for work in 2025.
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Anthony Awards 2025: New Categories Added

Female sleuths again swept this annual awards contest, which included new categories such as best cozy/humorous, best historical and best paranormal. Need help adding to your TBR list?
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An Archaeologist Contends With An Unbelievable Discovery in this Fast-Moving Tale

Ancient stories and modern politics mix in this series debut about a Pakistani archaeologist faced with the find of a lifetime. But how it is related to her missing niece?
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Chicago’s First Female PI Will Bicycle Right Into Your Heart

An unconventional young PI fights sexism, homophobia, a surly younger brother and a brutal gang lord in turn-of-the-century Chicago in Rob Osler’s second quozy, or queer cozy, mystery series. It’s a winner.
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My Favorite Mysteries Set in National Parks and Wild Places

It’s the time of year when I’m dreaming of adventures in national parks. Here are four books that transport you to these beautiful spaces, via park rangers, a senior sleuth and a rank amateur, with the added spice of murder.
