Edgar Nominees

If you are unfamiliar with the Edgar Award, it is awarded every April by the Mystery Writers of America (MWA). Eligible novels must be published in the U.S.

Here are the nominees for 2008:

Best Novel
Christine Falls, Benjamin Black
Priest, Ken Bruen
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union, Michael Chabon
Soul Patch, Reed Farrel Coleman
Down River, John Hart (St. Martin’s Minotaur)

Best First Novel
Missing Witness, Gordon Campbell
In the Woods, Tana French
Snitch Jacket, Christopher Goffard
Head Games, Craig McDonald
Pyres, Derek Nikitas

REVIEW: Relative Danger by Charles Benoit

Just fired from his job at a brewery, Doug Pearce travels to Casablanca, Cairo, and Singapore to solve the mystery of his uncle’s murder and the whereabouts of a stolen red diamond. While the book starts like an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, placing an ordinary man into extraordinary circumstances, it didn’t really thrill me, even with the roof-top chases and exotic women. If the book was supposed to be a mystery, the resolution, while clever, doesn’t lead you to believe that Doug is smart enough to figure it out. Benoit’s writing is superb in many other areas though. His convincing portrayal of the Middle East, hilarious comic timing, and supporting cast of odd characters really give this adventure a distinctive flavor. For a debut novel, it’s not bad, but it ultimately falls short.