The Hungry Detective

Anthony Award nominations peeked their head out the other day. It is a good mix of old guard and fresh young faces. Especially happy to see the awards limited to five this year. I know in the past other awards have been given, but I like the look of the Big Five. Classy. Award will be given at the 2012 Bouchercon in Cleveland Ohio. Congratulations to all of the nominees. Best Novel THE END OF EVERYTHING -   Megan Abbott   -  Reagan Arthur/Little, Brown HURT MACHINE - Reed Farrel Coleman - Tyrus THE DROP - Michael Connelly - Little, Brown A TRICK OF LIGHT - Louise Penny - Minotaur ONE WAS A SOLDIER -  Julia Spencer-Fleming -  Thomas Dunne/Minotaur Best First Novel  LEARNING TO SWIM -  Sara J. Henry - Crown NAZARETH CHILD -   Darrell James - Midnight Ink ALL CRY CHAOS -  Leonard Rosen - The Permanent Press WHO DO, VOODOO?  - Rochelle Staab - Berkley Prime Crime THE INFORMATIONIST -   Taylor Stevens - Crown PURGATOR...

Let me tell you that writing these post while NOT actually being in attendance is a super bummer. I am consoled by the fact the EXPIRATION DATE and the general awesomeness of Duane Swierczynski has been rewarded. Woot! Full list of nominees are here . THD congratulates all of the winners and nominees. Best Novel BURY YOUR DEAD - Louise Penny - Minotaur Best First Novel DAMAGE DONE - Hilary Davidson - Forge Best Paperback Original EXPIRATION DATE - Duane Swierczynski - Minotaur Best Short Story  “SWING SHIFT,” by Dana Cameron (from Crimes by Moonlight , edited by Charlaine Harris; Berkley) Best Graphic Novel THE CHILL - Jason Starr - Vertigo Crime Best Critical /Non-Fiction:   AGATHA CHRISTIE'S SECRET NOTEBOOKS: 50 YEARS OF MYSTERIES IN THE MAKING -  John Curran (Harper) Best Web Site/Blog: Stop, You’re Killing Me!, edited by Stan Ulrich and Lucinda Surber

Previously.... as in 5 minutes ago... I posted the belated announcement for the 2010 Shamus and Barry Awards. Again the winner will be in red . The Hungry Detective picks will be in in blue . Now bring on the Macavity Awards. I. AM . INVINCIBLE! MACAVITY AWARDS Best Mystery Novel BURY ME DEEP - Megan Abbott - Simon & Schuster TOWER - Ken Bruen and Reed Farrel Coleman - Busted Flush Press NECESSARY AS BLOOD - Deborah Crombie - Wm. Morrow NEMESIS - Jo Nesbø , translated by Don Bartlett - HarperCollins THE BRUTAL TELLING - Louise Penny - Minotaur THE SHANGHAI MOON - S.J. Rozan - Minotaur Best First Mystery Novel THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE - Alan Bradley - Delacorte RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL - Jamie Freveletti - Wm. Morrow A BAD FOR SORRY - Sophie Littlefield - Minotaur THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST - Stuart Neville - Soho Crime A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE - Malla Nunn - Picador Best Mystery Nonfiction L.A. NOIR: THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SOUL OF AMERICA'S...

The Hungry Detective has made the decision to group all of his predictions into one uber-prediction post for the multiple award ceremonies that will be occurring during the Bouchercon weekend. I'm not getting too adventurous with my picks. After doing this for a couple years I have learned that when I get creative with my 'picks' I only look like an idiot. I'm predicting the Barry, Macavity, PWA Shamus, and Anthony Awards. First up the Shamus Awards. The full list of nominations is here . Best Hardcover P.I. Novel THE SILENT HOUR - Michael Koryta - Minotaur   Best First P.I. Novel CHINATOWN ANGEL - A.E. Roman - Minotaur Best Paperback Original P.I. Novel: VENGEANCE ROAD - Rick Mofina - Mira Best P.I. Short Story: • “BLAZIN' ON BROADWAY” - Gary Phillips from Phoenix Noir, edited by Patrick Millikin; Akashic   Next? How about the Barry Awards? Full list of nominations is here . Best Novel: THE LAST CHILD -  John Hart - Minotaur Best First ...

Anthony nominations appeared on Friday. Sorry for the delay. All sorts of non-THD things happened on Friday and Saturday to delay me getting this post up in a timely fashion. Sunday, well I was just being lazy. My only concern with the list is the number of repeat Edgar nominees. One in PBO, two for Best Novel, three for Best First Novel, Four for Short Story and Nonfiction. A good book is a good book. And,I am not saying these aren't worthy nominees, just lacking a bit in imagination. Surprisingly, I have read a good number of them. I'll probably be able to pick of a few more between now and when the awards are handed out at the San Francisco B'Con . Which, unfortunately, I'll be passing up this year. Boo. There is a word that describes having to pay $269 dollars a night for a room, but this is a family blog.... The Hungry Detective extends their congratulations to all of the nominees and wishes them the best of luck. BEST NOVEL THE LAST CHILD - John Hart   - Mino...

Yeah, I know it is Monday and these awards were given out on Saturday, but I need to complete the circle of the Bouchercon Awards presentations, so here are your 2009 Anthony Award Winners. Congratulation to all. A complete list of nominees and my 'predictions' can be read here . BEST NOVEL The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly - Little, Brown and Company BEST FIRST NOVEL The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - Knopf BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy - Berkley BEST SHORT STORY "A Sleep Not Unlike Death" by Sean Chercover from Hardcore Hardboiled - Kensington BEST CRITICAL NONFICTION WORK Anthony Boucher: A Bibliography by Jeffrey Marks - McFarland BEST CHILDREN'S/YA NOVEL The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein - Random House BEST COVER ART The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo designed by Peter Mendelsund and written by Stieg Larsson - Knopf SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD Jon and Ruth Jordan

The Hungry Detective has made the decision to group all of his predictions into one uber-prediction post for the multiple award ceremonies that will be occurring during the Bouchercon weekend. I'm predicting the Barry , Macavity , PWA Shamus , and Anthony Awards. My picks will be in Blue . Barry Awards Best Novel: Trigger City - Sean Chercover The Draining Lake - Arnaldur Indridason Envy the Night - Michael Koryta Red Knife - William Kent Krueger The Cruelest Month - Louise Penny The Dawn Patrol - Don Winslow Ms. Penny is my safe bet here. My heart wants me to go with Mr. Chercover, but I think THE CRUELEST MONTH is the winner. Best First Novel: The Kind One - Tom Epperson Stalking Susan - Julie Kramer City of the Sun - David Levien Chil d 44 - Tom Rob Smith A Carrion Death - Michael Stanley Sweeping Up Glass - Carolyn D. Wall Going with the book that made the biggest noise last year. Everyone seemed to enjoy CHILD 44. I just never found the story to be compelling. Best British N...

This is a very strong list of nominees. Lots of big names and big books. I already have some thoughts I want to share, but I am in Wisconsin this week. I'm watching the Brewers game and enjoying time with my parents. Check back in a few days for ill advised commentary. --EDIT-- It has been more than a few days for those ill advised comments, so you maybe one of the select few to actually read them. Official announcement here . BEST NOVEL Trigger City by Sean Chercover - William Morrow The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly - Little, Brown and Company Red Knife by William Kent Krueger - Atria The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - Knopf The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny - Minotaur I am real curious to see how this shakes out. Last year's winner was the deserving WHAT THE DEAD KNOW by Laura Lippman. Not to diminish that win in any way, but the awards were given out in Baltimore. Again deserving, but decidedly lacking in excitement. Kreuger and Connelly are multi...

This is the second awards ceremony that I have attended. The other one was 2007 Academy Awards. Slightly better seats for this one. I'll add some commentary on Monday. Columbus Day tomorrow means I have the day to recover. Let me refer you to our picks ... made all the way back in June. Winners are in Red and bold . THD picks in Blue . I picked against Laura Lippman because why again? Oh yes, stupidity. Best Novel Tin Roof Blowdown - James Lee Burke Bad Luck and Trouble - Lee Child The Watchman - Robert Crais Thunder Bay - William Kent Krueger What the Dead Know - Laura Lippman Best First Novel Big City, Bad Blood - Sean Chercover In the Woods - Tana French The Spellman Files - Lisa Lutz Head Games - Craig McDonald The Blade Itself - Marcus Sakey Best Paperback Original Queenpin - Megan Abbott Slide - Ken Bruen and Jason Starr Blood of Paradise - David Corbett Baby Shark's Beaumont Blues - Robert Fate A Thousand Bones - P.J. Parrish Short Story Watch Your Step - Rhys Bowen (T...