The middle of October found me traveling to Indianapolis with Fresh
Fiction reviewer Suan
Wilson to attend the 40th Annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. This yearly event is
for authors, publishers, readers, booksellers, librarians and anyone interested
in all the different types of mysteries. From sweet, cozy, funny tales to dark,
dangerous, psychological thrillers and everything in between, this convention
had it all. Other representatives of Fresh Fiction in
attendance included Sara Reyes, Gwen Reyes, Mindy Ewing and her
husband, Alan. With many panels, book signings and other activities
going on all the time, it kept us hopping – it was so exciting. We made new
contacts with authors and people in the industry, as well as renewing many
previous acquaintances. It was exhausting, but well worth it. Be sure to check
out 2009 Bouchercon photos on our Flickr link.
Here’s a list of Bouchercon’s 2009 Anthony Award
Winners.
Best Novel: THE BRASS
VERDICT – Michael
Connelly (Little, Brown) Best First Novel: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON
TATTOO – Stieg
Larsson (Knopf) Best Paperback Original: STATE OF THE ONION – Julie Hyzy (Berkley) Best
Short Story: A Sleep Not Unlike Death – Sean Chercover, Hardcore
Hardboiled (Kensington) Best Critical Nonfiction Work: ANTHONY BOUCHER: A
BIOBIBLIOGRAPHY – Jeffrey Marks (McFarland)
Best Children's/Young Adult Novel: THE CROSSROADS – Chris Grabenstein
(Random) Best Cover Art: THE
GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, Peter Mendelsund (artist) – Stieg Larsson (Knopf)
Now for
a few personal reading recommendations:
I told you all about STORM CYCLE (St. Martin’s
hardcover, 7/09) by Iris
Johansen and her son, Roy Johansen, in my July
2009 column. Well, it turned out to be just as good as I hoped it would, since I
really enjoyed their previous novel. Lots of fast-paced action, nail-biting
suspense, compelling characters and a great storyline.
DUST TO DUST (Obsidian,
8/09) by Beverly Connor
is the seventh mystery to feature forensic anthropologist Diane Fallon. When a
young woman dies under suspicious circumstances, supposedly after finding
evidence of her incarcerated brother's innocence, a friend asks Diane to look
into the possibility it was murder. But to do so, Diane must delve into the
victim's family secrets. At the same time, she’s embroiled in another complex
investigation involving the attack on a consulting archaeologist for the River
Trail Museum of Natural History, which Diane oversees. Handling two diverse
cases at the same time is nothing new for Diane, and she handles it with her
usual steadfast resolve for finding the truth. It’s another excellent entry in
this thrilling series with wonderful characterization and intricate, well-
devised plotlines.
The premise of
debut author Warren
Fahy’s FRAGMENT
(Delacorte hardcover, 6/09) intrigued me so much, I had to read it. Even though
science/fiction novels are not my usual choice of genre, I was hooked from the
first page and found it almost impossible to put down. Adding to the excellent
reading experience are detailed descriptions, as well as illustrations, of the
unusual creatures encountered on tiny Henders Island in the South Pacific Ocean.
Not since JURASSIC PARK
has this type of story held me so spellbound, and with less suspension of
belief. Here’s a direct link to the book’s page, so you can read the entire
synopsis.
Now, for an explanation of the tag line that introduced this column: This is one
of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make, but the time has finally come for me
to retire my Tanzey
Talk column. Hubby Allen thinks I should spend less time in the office at
the computer and more time traveling with him in our motor home, visiting
friends and family, who are scattered far and wide, as we enjoy this beautiful
country. And I agree.
It doesn’t seem possible I’ve been doing this for over 15 years! I started
writing my column for a friend’s printed newsletter, Old Book Barn Gazette,
which lasted 10 wonderful years. After that monthly publication ceased in 2003,
Tanzey Talk appeared
on Writerspace for a year before Sara Reyes approached me about using
my column to launch her new web site, Fresh Fiction, in
September 2004. It’s been great writing about the myriad of things related to
the writing industry for all these years, but I’m ready to slow down a bit.
Please be assured that I’m not leaving entirely. I will still be one of the
reviews editors for Fresh Fiction and will continue to write
reviews of my own personal recommendations.
In closing, I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who’s taken
the time to read Tanzey
Talk through the years. And a big thanks to all the amazing people I’ve met
along the way and come to know so well during these past 15 years, either in
person or via e-mail. You’ve made it one fantastic ride!
Remember to keep on reading, which I’ll be doing much more of myself. And
continue to check out all the insightful reviews and the plethora of information
provided on Fresh Fiction - it’s become an invaluable resource
for readers in the know.
Happy Holidays!
Tanzey
1 comment posted.
What is the problem with the Fresh Fiction website today? I'm trying to read the column and the text keeps changing width. It's flickering the way the ads for the books flicker.
(Lorna Thomas 11:17am January 7, 2010)