The Hungry Detective

Yay! Another year, another Edgar Awards in the book. As for my predictions, three is not too bad. One year, however, I am going to hit it, and when I do it is going to be beautiful. Winners below. Congratulations to them and all who were nominated.  Don't forget to read these books!  BEST NOVEL GONE -  Mo Hayder  -Grove/Atlantic – Atlantic Monthly Press BEST FIRST NOVEL - AN AMERICAN AUTHOR BENT ROAD -  Lori Roy  - Penguin Group USA - Dutton BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL THE COMPANY MAN -  Robert Jackson Bennett  - Hachette Book Group – Orbit Books BEST FACT CRIME DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President -  Candice Millard  - Random House - Doubleday BEST CRITICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL ON CONAN DOYLE: Or, the Whole Art of Storytelling -  Michael Dirda  - Princeton University Press BEST SHORT STORY “THE MAN WHO TOOK OF HIS HAT OFF TO THE THE DRIVER OF THE TRAIN” – Ellery Queen My...

I predicted absolutely nothing last year. My general advice if you are betting this is to go in the opposite direction. To the authors I have 'chosen' this year... I'm sorry. I spent most of 2011 out of the Crime Fiction trade so I'm even less acquainted with this year's books more than normal. In general it was great to see all of small press stuff got nominated, particularly as it is an indication that I'm not the only one who is left wanting by the major Crime Fiction publishers. My fingers are crossed in a big way for THE RANGER. I have read Mr. Atkins going back to CROSSROAD BLUES. It is always great to see authors who you love recognized. Even if THE RANGER fails to capture the big prize I hope it brings more people to his work.  Good luck to all the authors. I hope the night is a blast no matter how things end up. Cheers! BEST NOVEL THE RANGER - Ace Atkins -Penguin Group USA – G.P. Putnam’s Sons BEST FIRST NOVEL - AN AMERICAN AUTHOR BE...

Spring arrived at The Hungry Detective offices in early March. Weather was so amazing that posting the Spring Preview seemed ridiculous. I was certain the cruel joke of Rochester weather would dump a ton of snow on us. But yesterday I threw away the ice scrappers, and fertilized the lawn. The fact that the lawn mower might be dead is a minor inconvenience. It was then I knew it was time to post the Spring Preview. FUN HOUSE - Chris Grabenstein - May 1 A series that is a lot of fun, even if the quality has fallen off over the last couple books. John Ceepak is still a role model for living this life as a better man. HARD COUNTRY - Michael McGarrity - May 10 I have never been let down by Mr. McGarrity. And, although this is a straight up Western, I'm still excited to see what this capable storyteller has in mind. AS THE CROW FLIES - Craig Johnson - May 15 Day of release purchase. Boom! I blew through four of Mr. Johnson's books last fall. They were all a blast...

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from authors, publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of  March 2012. THE MEMORY OF BLOOD - Christopher Fowler - Bantam SATORI - Don Winslow - Grand Central DOLLED UP FOR MURDER - Jane K. Cleland - Minotaur Books ASHES TO DUST - Yrsa Sigurdarottir - Minotaur Books KING OF MIDNIGHT - Wallace Stroby  - Minotaur Books