Favorite Edgar Nominated Book??

[Gumshoe Carl]

I tried to get members of 4MA (For Mystery Addicts) to make Edgar Award Predicitions, but didn't get a lot of interest. Perhaps people are afraid to hurt authors' feelings.

So instead, I'm wondering if you have a favorite book nominated for an Edgar this year and why it is your favorite? Here are the books nominated in the three major categories:

BEST NOVEL
The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard (HarperCollins)
The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Gentleman and Players by Joanne Harris (William Morrow)
The Dead Hour by Denise Mina (Little, Brown and Company)
The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard (Ballantine Books)
The Liberation Movements by Olen Steinhauer (St. Martin's Minotaur)

BEST FIRST NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR
The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson (Random House)
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (Shaye Areheart Books)
King of Lies by John Hart (St. Martin's Minotaur)
Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith (St. Martin's Minotaur)
A Field of Darkness by Cornelia Read (Mysterious Press)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
The Goodbye Kiss by Massimo Carlotto (Europa Editions)
The Open Curtain by Brian Evenson (Coffee House Press)
Snakeskin Shamisen by Naomi Hirahara (Delta Books)
The Deep Blue Alibi by Paul Levine (Bantam Books)
City of Tiny Lights by Patrick Neate (Riverhead Books)

Got a favorite?? Gumshoe Carl

[Patricia Abbott]

I agree in principle. But here on this site, if we're going to use the metaphor of a bar, it's like inviting people to come drinking with us and then making them feel uncomfortable. I think picking books we like is great, in general, but when the field is only five instead of an infinite number, it is harder to take.
But again, I may be overly sensitive. I don't think every writer gets a thick skin though, nor should they have to. I think they are many writers who avoid the Internet like the plague now because of this. Enough said on my part. I feel like I am coming out against free speech and truly I don't mean to.

[Sandra Ruttan]

I think, though, that this can go too far... I mean, we've had threads about the 'must-reads'. What if some authors who frequent Crimespace are mentioned and others aren't? Do we need to be worried about their feelings being hurt?

For me, I know it's allowed, but if we take the analogy of a bar then having a signature tacked on your posts is the equivalent of walking around handing out business cards to everyone, isn't it?

I don't think you're coming out against free speech. I think you're highlighting one of the new realities. You're coming from a good place, caring how people feel.

[Gumshoe Carl]

I have several favorites on this list and I will admit that I have not read every book. But of the ones I have read, I really enjoyed The Pale Blue Eye, King of Lies, Holmes on the Range, A Field of Darkness. I wish everyone lots of luck and while it does sound hokey, making the list should be considered a great accomplishment considering there were hundreds, if not thousands of books to chose from.

And the winner is......

[bill bedenbender]

I'm not to worried about hurting the authors feelings Carl. My problem is I haven't read any of the books quite honestly there is only 3 books that I have even heard of. Sorry.
Bill

[Mary Reagan]

Well, the race I'm watching this year isn't in any of these categories. It's the best fact based crime novel. I'm rooting for James Swanson.

[David Terrenoire]

I'm half way through Field of Darkness by Cornelia Read (I'm a very slow reader) but it is smokingly good. As it's also the only nominee I've read (I told you I'm slow) I'm voting for this one.