Wednesday, 08 May 2013

The season of awards continues.

The Anthony Award nominees for 2013 have just been announced. The Anthony Awards are given during Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention.

The winners will be chosen by the full-time members of the 44th Bouchercon September 19-22, in Albany, New York.

This is a terrific list. Congratulations to all the nominees.


BEST NOVEL
Dare Me by Megan Abbott (Reagan Arthur)
The Trinity Game by Sean Chercover (Thomas & Mercer)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Crown)
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny (Minotaur)
The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Forge)

BEST FIRST NOVEL
Don't Ever Get Old by Daniel Friedman (Thomas Dunne)
The Professionals by Owen Laukkanen (Putnam)
The Expats by Chris Pavone (Crown)
The 500 by Matthew Quirk (Reagan Arthur)
Black Fridays by Michael Sears (Putnam)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
Whiplash River by Lou Berney (William Morrow)
Murder for Choir by Joelle Charbonneau (Berkley Prime Crime)
And She Was by Alison Gaylin (Harper)
Blessed are the Dead by Malla Nunn (Emily Bestler)
Big Maria by Johnny Shaw (Thomas & Mercer)

BEST SHORT STORY
"Mischief in Mesopotamia" by Dana Cameron, EQMM, Nov 2012
"Kept in the Dark" by Shelia Connolly, Best New England Crime Stories: Blood Moon (Level Best)
"The Lord is My Shamus" by Barb Goffman, Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder, p.97 (Wildside)
"Peaches" by Todd Robinson, Grift, Spring 2012, p.80
"The Unremarkable Heart" by Karin Slaughter, Mystery Writers of America Presents: Vengeance, p.177 (Mulholland)

BEST CRITICAL NONFICTION WORK
Books to Die For: The World's Greatest Mystery Writers on the World's Greatest Mystery Novels by John Connolly and Declan Burke, eds. (Hodder & Stoughton/Emily Bestler)
Blood Relations: The Selected Letters of Ellery Queen, 1947-1950 - Joseph Goodrich, ed. (Perfect Crime)
More Forensics and Fiction: Crime Writers Morbidly Curious Questions Expertly Answered by D.P. Lyle, M.D. (Medallion)
The Grand Tour: Around the World with the Queen of Mystery Agatha Christie by Mathew Prichard, ed. (Harper)
In Pursuit of Spenser: Mystery Writers on Robert B. Parker and the Creation of an American Hero by Otto Penzler, ed. (Smart Pop)

2013 Anthony Nominations Announced
Oline Cogdill
2013-anthony-nominations-announced

The season of awards continues.

The Anthony Award nominees for 2013 have just been announced. The Anthony Awards are given during Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention.

The winners will be chosen by the full-time members of the 44th Bouchercon September 19-22, in Albany, New York.

This is a terrific list. Congratulations to all the nominees.


BEST NOVEL
Dare Me by Megan Abbott (Reagan Arthur)
The Trinity Game by Sean Chercover (Thomas & Mercer)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Crown)
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny (Minotaur)
The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Forge)

BEST FIRST NOVEL
Don't Ever Get Old by Daniel Friedman (Thomas Dunne)
The Professionals by Owen Laukkanen (Putnam)
The Expats by Chris Pavone (Crown)
The 500 by Matthew Quirk (Reagan Arthur)
Black Fridays by Michael Sears (Putnam)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
Whiplash River by Lou Berney (William Morrow)
Murder for Choir by Joelle Charbonneau (Berkley Prime Crime)
And She Was by Alison Gaylin (Harper)
Blessed are the Dead by Malla Nunn (Emily Bestler)
Big Maria by Johnny Shaw (Thomas & Mercer)

BEST SHORT STORY
"Mischief in Mesopotamia" by Dana Cameron, EQMM, Nov 2012
"Kept in the Dark" by Shelia Connolly, Best New England Crime Stories: Blood Moon (Level Best)
"The Lord is My Shamus" by Barb Goffman, Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder, p.97 (Wildside)
"Peaches" by Todd Robinson, Grift, Spring 2012, p.80
"The Unremarkable Heart" by Karin Slaughter, Mystery Writers of America Presents: Vengeance, p.177 (Mulholland)

BEST CRITICAL NONFICTION WORK
Books to Die For: The World's Greatest Mystery Writers on the World's Greatest Mystery Novels by John Connolly and Declan Burke, eds. (Hodder & Stoughton/Emily Bestler)
Blood Relations: The Selected Letters of Ellery Queen, 1947-1950 - Joseph Goodrich, ed. (Perfect Crime)
More Forensics and Fiction: Crime Writers Morbidly Curious Questions Expertly Answered by D.P. Lyle, M.D. (Medallion)
The Grand Tour: Around the World with the Queen of Mystery Agatha Christie by Mathew Prichard, ed. (Harper)
In Pursuit of Spenser: Mystery Writers on Robert B. Parker and the Creation of an American Hero by Otto Penzler, ed. (Smart Pop)

Wednesday, 08 May 2013

penguincampaing_readhumane

Buy a book—or several—and help animals while being entertained.

Sounds like a plan that wins for everyone.

Penguin Group USA's Read Humane campaign does just that.

Launched in 2012, Read Humane fights animal cruelty and ties in with May’s National Pet Month to support the Humane Society of the United States.

Special editions of animal-themed titles highlight the campaign with Read Humane seals on their covers and further information inside.

jamesmiranda_filemmurderThose novels include Till Death Do Us Bark by Judi McCoy, The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon by Leann Sweeney, File M for Murder by Miranda James, Double Booked for Death by Ali Brandon, Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis, and Hounds Abound by Linda O. Johnston.

As part of the campaign, Penguin is donating $25,000 to the Humane Society, regardless of book sales.

Funds are allocated directly to the organization's Animal Rescue Team, which works with law enforcement to investigate illegal animal cruelty as well as save animals from puppy mills, fighting rings and other life-threatening situations.

The group also does disaster relief work. For example, when Hurricane Sandy struck last fall, the Humane Society rescued animals from devastated communities and provided pet owners with assistance, including temporarily caring for the animal family members whose humans were recovering from the storm. The Humane Society volunteers have done that during most of the natural disasters during the past 20 years.

I spoke very briefly with Miranda James, also known as Dean James, about this project while we were waiting for an elevator at the Malice Domestic conference, and then followed up with an email.

sweeneyleann_catwifeweapon
"As both an animal lover and a writer whose work features a cat in a prominent role, I am thrilled to have one of my books be part of the "Read Humane" program," said James.

"I hope this will encourage readers to become more aware of the needs of abused and neglected animals in our country," added James.

Leann Sweeney also is happy to be included in this project.

"Thanks to my publisher, Penguin, I am fortunate enough to be part of the Read Humane event along with five other mass market paperback authors," Sweeney said.

The authors share an approach to using animals in their novels, she added.

"All of us write stories involving animals and we take great pride in that," Sweeney said. "We believe our books indeed live up to the Read Humane initiative. Animals are treated with dignity and respect between the covers of our titles. My book, The Cat, The Wife and The Weapon, features three rescue cats and a rat terrier. The animals do not talk or think, they just act like the amazing pets they are!"

Diane A.S. Stuckart, who also writes as Ali Brandon, hopes Read Humane spotlights the Humane Society’s rescue efforts.

brandonali_doublebookedfordeath
Instances of animal cruelty happen every single day, in every town and city in this country. Sometimes, we can see the abuse and step in to prevent it; most times, however, these things occur out of our sight. That’s why we need The Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team,” said Brandon.

She added, “They work tirelessly with law enforcement to investigate cases of animal abuse, including such cruel practices as puppy mills and dog fighting.

"As the owner of four dogs and two cats—all but one of them rescues—I’m thrilled to be part of Penguin’s Read Humane campaign designed to bring additional awareness to the Team’s fabulous advocacy on behalf of our furred and feathered friends,” Brandon added.

More than 3,000 retailers nationwide are participating in Read Humane, from independent bookstores to Barnes & Noble and CVS.

I think this project is terrific. All through my life, my dogs (sorry, allergic to cats) have always been rescues. Their love and personalities have carried me through happy and sad times.

Read Humane was inspired partly by the publisher's four-year-old Read Pink campaign, which supports breast cancer research and awareness, and also by the many writers on its list whose books feature animals.

This year's Read Humane spokesperson is Jill Shalvis, author of the Animal Magnetism series, contemporary romances centered on a kennel owner, a veterinarian and other characters who care for critters.

For details on Read Humane, visit this web site.

Penguin’s Read Humane for Cats, Dogs
Oline Cogdill
penguins-read-humane-for-cats-dogs

penguincampaing_readhumane

Buy a book—or several—and help animals while being entertained.

Sounds like a plan that wins for everyone.

Penguin Group USA's Read Humane campaign does just that.

Launched in 2012, Read Humane fights animal cruelty and ties in with May’s National Pet Month to support the Humane Society of the United States.

Special editions of animal-themed titles highlight the campaign with Read Humane seals on their covers and further information inside.

jamesmiranda_filemmurderThose novels include Till Death Do Us Bark by Judi McCoy, The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon by Leann Sweeney, File M for Murder by Miranda James, Double Booked for Death by Ali Brandon, Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis, and Hounds Abound by Linda O. Johnston.

As part of the campaign, Penguin is donating $25,000 to the Humane Society, regardless of book sales.

Funds are allocated directly to the organization's Animal Rescue Team, which works with law enforcement to investigate illegal animal cruelty as well as save animals from puppy mills, fighting rings and other life-threatening situations.

The group also does disaster relief work. For example, when Hurricane Sandy struck last fall, the Humane Society rescued animals from devastated communities and provided pet owners with assistance, including temporarily caring for the animal family members whose humans were recovering from the storm. The Humane Society volunteers have done that during most of the natural disasters during the past 20 years.

I spoke very briefly with Miranda James, also known as Dean James, about this project while we were waiting for an elevator at the Malice Domestic conference, and then followed up with an email.

sweeneyleann_catwifeweapon
"As both an animal lover and a writer whose work features a cat in a prominent role, I am thrilled to have one of my books be part of the "Read Humane" program," said James.

"I hope this will encourage readers to become more aware of the needs of abused and neglected animals in our country," added James.

Leann Sweeney also is happy to be included in this project.

"Thanks to my publisher, Penguin, I am fortunate enough to be part of the Read Humane event along with five other mass market paperback authors," Sweeney said.

The authors share an approach to using animals in their novels, she added.

"All of us write stories involving animals and we take great pride in that," Sweeney said. "We believe our books indeed live up to the Read Humane initiative. Animals are treated with dignity and respect between the covers of our titles. My book, The Cat, The Wife and The Weapon, features three rescue cats and a rat terrier. The animals do not talk or think, they just act like the amazing pets they are!"

Diane A.S. Stuckart, who also writes as Ali Brandon, hopes Read Humane spotlights the Humane Society’s rescue efforts.

brandonali_doublebookedfordeath
Instances of animal cruelty happen every single day, in every town and city in this country. Sometimes, we can see the abuse and step in to prevent it; most times, however, these things occur out of our sight. That’s why we need The Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team,” said Brandon.

She added, “They work tirelessly with law enforcement to investigate cases of animal abuse, including such cruel practices as puppy mills and dog fighting.

"As the owner of four dogs and two cats—all but one of them rescues—I’m thrilled to be part of Penguin’s Read Humane campaign designed to bring additional awareness to the Team’s fabulous advocacy on behalf of our furred and feathered friends,” Brandon added.

More than 3,000 retailers nationwide are participating in Read Humane, from independent bookstores to Barnes & Noble and CVS.

I think this project is terrific. All through my life, my dogs (sorry, allergic to cats) have always been rescues. Their love and personalities have carried me through happy and sad times.

Read Humane was inspired partly by the publisher's four-year-old Read Pink campaign, which supports breast cancer research and awareness, and also by the many writers on its list whose books feature animals.

This year's Read Humane spokesperson is Jill Shalvis, author of the Animal Magnetism series, contemporary romances centered on a kennel owner, a veterinarian and other characters who care for critters.

For details on Read Humane, visit this web site.

Sunday, 05 May 2013

The Agatha Awards for novels published during 2012 were announced May 4, 2013, during the Malice Domestic convention.

Here are the winners in bold.

Congratulations to those who took home the Agatha and to the nominees.

Best Novel:

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise PennyThe Diva Digs Up the Dirt by Krista Davis
A Fatal Winter by G.M. Malliet
The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maron
The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best First Novel:
Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer
Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown
A Scrapbook of Secrets by Mollie Cox Bryan
A Killer Read by Erika Chase
Faithful Unto Death by Stephanie Jaye Evans

Best Non-fiction:
Books to Die For: The World's Greatest Mystery Writers on the World's Greatest Mystery Novels by John Connolly/Declan Burke
Blood Relations: The Selected Letters of Ellery Queen, 1947-1950 by Joseph Goodrich, Editor
More Forensics and Fiction: Crime Writers Morbidly Curious Questions Expertly Answered by D.P. Lyle
Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies by Ben Macintyre
The Grand Tour: Around the World with the Queen of Mystery Agatha Christie by Mathew Prichard, Editor

Best Short Story:
"Mischief in Mesopotamia" (PDF) by Dana Cameron (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Nov. 2012)
"Kept in the Dark" by Sheila Connolly (Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon Anthology)
"The Lord is My Shamus" by Barb Goffman (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder)
"Thea's First Husband" by B.K. Stevens (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2012)
"When Duty Calls" by Art Taylor (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder)

Best Children's/Young Adult Novel:
The Code Busters Club, Case #2: The Haunted Lighthouse by Penny Warner
Seconds Away by Harlan Coben
The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Best Historical Novel:
Dandy Gilver and an Unsuitable Day for Murder by Catriona McPherson
The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen
Murder on Fifth Avenue by Victoria Thompson
An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd
Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

2013 Agatha Winners
Oline Cogdill
2013-agatha-winners

The Agatha Awards for novels published during 2012 were announced May 4, 2013, during the Malice Domestic convention.

Here are the winners in bold.

Congratulations to those who took home the Agatha and to the nominees.

Best Novel:

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise PennyThe Diva Digs Up the Dirt by Krista Davis
A Fatal Winter by G.M. Malliet
The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maron
The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best First Novel:
Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer
Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown
A Scrapbook of Secrets by Mollie Cox Bryan
A Killer Read by Erika Chase
Faithful Unto Death by Stephanie Jaye Evans

Best Non-fiction:
Books to Die For: The World's Greatest Mystery Writers on the World's Greatest Mystery Novels by John Connolly/Declan Burke
Blood Relations: The Selected Letters of Ellery Queen, 1947-1950 by Joseph Goodrich, Editor
More Forensics and Fiction: Crime Writers Morbidly Curious Questions Expertly Answered by D.P. Lyle
Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies by Ben Macintyre
The Grand Tour: Around the World with the Queen of Mystery Agatha Christie by Mathew Prichard, Editor

Best Short Story:
"Mischief in Mesopotamia" (PDF) by Dana Cameron (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Nov. 2012)
"Kept in the Dark" by Sheila Connolly (Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon Anthology)
"The Lord is My Shamus" by Barb Goffman (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder)
"Thea's First Husband" by B.K. Stevens (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2012)
"When Duty Calls" by Art Taylor (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder)

Best Children's/Young Adult Novel:
The Code Busters Club, Case #2: The Haunted Lighthouse by Penny Warner
Seconds Away by Harlan Coben
The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Best Historical Novel:
Dandy Gilver and an Unsuitable Day for Murder by Catriona McPherson
The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen
Murder on Fifth Avenue by Victoria Thompson
An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd
Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear