This years awards will be given out at Bouchercon in Baltimore. It was a good year for books and we had a lot of votes.
The Unquiet – John Connolly * winner
What The Dead Know – Laura Lippman
The Watchman – Robert Crais
Priest – Ken Bruen
Thunder Bay – William Kent Krueger
Best On-Going Series
Peter Robinson’s Inspector Banks * Winner
Lee Child’s Jack Reacher
Ken Bruen’s Jack Taylor
John Connolly’s Charlie “Bird” Parker
Barry Eisler’s John Rain
Favorite Anthology of 2007
Expletive Deleted – Jen Jordan Editor * Winner
A Hell of a Woman – Megan Abbott Editor
Chicago Blues – Libby Hellman Editor
Favorite Comics Writer of 2007
Brian Azzarello * Winner
Ed Brubaker
Jason Aaron
Greg Rucka
Garth Ennis
Best first book of 2007
Sean Chercover-Big City Bad Blood * Winner
Marcus Sakey – The Blade Itself
Craig McDonald – Head Games
Stealing The Dragon – Tim Maleeny
Tom Schreck – On The Ropes
May I ask how you decide which books to review on this site? I’ve just read a great thriller called “The Hidden Man: A Novel of Suspense” by Anthony Flacco. I believe he was also a nominee for the Thriller Award at ThrillerFest this year. It’s just, I’ve read a few reviews and interviews on this book – but not enough to satisfy me.
I first got hooked on his debut historical fiction book “The Last Nightingale,” and now I’m finishing up the companion to it “The Hidden Man.” I’m a really picky reader, but this guy is just amazing. I find that a lot of books in the mystery/thriller genre nowadays lack the key elements that make up a good read. For example, what happened to all the humor, edginess, and multi-dimensional characters? Flacco is incredibly unique in that he makes good use of young characters. Not a lot of thrillers I’ve picked up have central characters that are young, or female. Also, I think it’s that familial dynamic (complex relationships within) that makes “The Hidden Man” so compelling because you can’t help but truly care for the characters and root for the unconventional family.
To expand on this, “The Hidden Man” takes readers back to 1915 San Francisco reborn after the Great Earthquake and Fire. Particularly, I love the complex, flawed characters that make the book shine like a jewel. James Duncan is a famed mesmerist at the pinnacle of his career in the upcoming World’s Fair, and he must work together with equally fascinating Detective Blackburn and Blackburn’s young protégé Shane Nightingale when a fanatic stalker sets out to destroy him. My favorite character is Vignette Nightingale though, who reminds me of a female version of Huckleberry Finn; she’s definitely a character you don’t see often in mystery books these days. I find it more interesting because they must solve a murder that hasn’t even happened yet, based purely on what only the terrified (almost obsessed) intended victim can see. If you like a compelling story and complex characters, this is a book for you. You can check out the reviews and book trailer on his website: AnthonyFlacco.com