ALA's top genre books of 2010

[Dave Zeltserman]

The American Library Association announced their top genre books of 2010. Below are their choices for thriller, horror and mystery (yes, this is also a bit of sneaky BSP).

 

Adrenaline
“The Nearest Exit” by Olen Steinhauer, Minotaur Books (9780312622879)

Burned-out spy Milo Weaver confronts layers of deceit as his career collides with his desire to reclaim his family and his humanity. The labyrinthine intrigues enhance a building atmosphere of paranoia in this dark and emotionally-charged classic espionage thriller.

 

Short List:

“Caught” by Harlan Coben, E. P. Dutton (9780525951582)

“Crashers” by Dana Haynes, Minotaur (9780312599881)

“Deep Shadow” by Randy Wayne White, Putnam Pub. Group (9780399156267)

“They’re Watching” by Gregg Hurwitz, St. Martin’s (9780312534905)

 

Horror

“The Dead Path” by Stephen M. Irwin, Doubleday (9780385533430)

Guilt-ridden Nicholas Close retreats to his family home in Australia after the tragic death of his wife, only to encounter an ancient malevolence lurking in the nearby woods. Childhood nightmares and fairytale motifs combine in this emotionally powerful tale of implacable evil. Arachnophobes beware!

Short List:

“The Caretaker of Lorne Field” by David Zeltserman, Overlook (9781590203033)

“The Frenzy Way” by Gregory Lamberson, Medallion Press (9781605421070)

“Horns” by Joe Hill, William Morrow (9780061147951)

“So Cold the River” by Michael Koryta, Little Brown (9780316053648)

 

Mystery

“Bury Your Dead” by Louise Penny, Minotaur (9780312377045)

Troubled by past mistakes, Chief Inspector Gamache, in his sixth outing, retreats to snowy and insular Quebec City, where he becomes embroiled in intertwining investigations both old and new. Penny expertly delivers a layered story that is haunting, moody, and exquisitely drawn.

 

Short List:

“Faithful Place” by Tana French, Viking (9780670021871)

“The Taken” by Inger Ash Wolfe, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (9780151013531)

“Think of a Number” by John Verdon, Crown (9780307588920)

“Vermilion Drift” by William Kent Krueger, Simon & Schuster (9781439153840)

 

[Jack Getze]

Congrats, Dave. And good luck!

[Dave Zeltserman]

thanks, Jack.

[J. E. Seymour]

Congrats Dave!  I'm hearing lots about you lately.  In a good way.

[Dave Zeltserman]

JE, all that money I've been paying to keep the unseemly stuff out must be paying off!! ;)

[Terrence McCauley]

Congratulations, Dave!

[I. J. Parker]

Congrats, Dave.  I'm green with envy.  Had rather hoped, seeing that LJ picked MASUDA AFFAIR among its best mysteries for 2010.

[Dave Zeltserman]

Thanks, everyone. Caretaker's a book that's been getting a great reaction from both readers and reviewers so far--made a lot of critics and bloggers best of year lists, topping a bunch of these lists. Hopefully when it's out as a trade paperback next fall it will get picked up by more newspapers.

[Tim Scanlon]

I read The Dead Path by Stephen Irwin just recently. Not bad at all, but I'm not sure that it was particularly scary. It is good to see an Aussie author being recognised internationally.