The Edgar Awards nominees (Mystery Writers of America) have been posted here. I really enjoyed Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris, but despised The Virgin of Small Plains. My reviews of these novels are both here under July 2006 Reading. Have not read any of the other nominees for Best Novel. I've read a couple of novels by Denise Mina, dark mysteries set in Edinburgh. The Janissary Tree has an interesting cover and concept.
Under the category of Best Critical/Biographical - both look interesting: Unless the Threat of Death is Behind Them: Hard-Boiled Fiction and Film Noir by John T. Irwin and The Science of Sherlock Holmes: From Baskerville Hall to the Valley of Fear by E.J. Wagner.
Link to the Edgar Awards is via Shelly's Book Shelf. Thanks, Shelly. By the way, she has links to other genre awards lists.
I've had problems with Joanne Harris in the past ('Chocolat' really made me angry) but other people have said I should try 'Gentlemen & Players' so I might now try and overcome my prejudice. Denise Mina is an author I've kept meaning to explore, but somehow never got round to - shes on the TBR pile as well now.
ReplyDeleteMe being me, I went straight to the Young Adult and Juvenile lists and was surprised not to see Eleanor Updale's latest 'Montmorency' book there. Have these not been published in the US? If not, you are really missing a treat.
How cool to win an award named after EAP? I know I've read some Edgar award winning books in the past but I cannot think of any off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteI've only read Deep Blue Alibi by Paul Levine, which was very good. I've got my eye on Gentlemen & Players.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenclair. I will stay clear of The Virgin of Small Plains. I liked Gentlemen and Players, too. The Pale Blue Eyes sounds like it might be good.
ReplyDeleteiliana - G & P is quite different from the usual Harris, but a great read.
ReplyDeleteCheya - I would steer clear of this one. Yuck. Notice that you and iliana have picked out titles with Blue. Certain words in a title always trigger my interest.
Ann - G & P is by far my favorite Harris. I'm not a fan of magical realism, and have found that some of her books appealed, but others did not.
ReplyDeleteCarl - Poe is appropriate for both mystery and horror, isn't he?
Ann - I'm not a real fan of magical realism and have found my interest in her books uneven. Liked some, disliked others. G & P is BY FAR my favorite--good mystery.
ReplyDeleteCarl - I agree that Poe makes a great figurehead for a mystery award.