And the Edgar nominees are...

(looking for the Weekend Update? Not to worry, it's right here.)

The Mystery Writers of America have announced the nominees for the 60th Annual Edgar Awards, which are:

Best Novel:

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown)
Red Leaves by Thomas H. Cook (Harcourt)
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen (Ballantine Books)
Drama City by George Pelecanos (Little, Brown)
Citizen Vince by Jess Walter (Regan Books)

Best First Novel Written by an American Author:

Die A Little by Megan Abbott (Simon & Schuster)
Immoral by Brian Freeman (St. Martin's Minotaur)
Run the Risk by Scott Frost (G.P. Putnam's Sons)
Hide Your Eyes by Alison Gaylin (Signet)
Officer Down by Theresa Schwegel (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Best Paperback Original:

Homicide My Own by Anne Argula (Pleasure Boat Studio)
The James Deans by Reed Farrel Coleman (Penguin - Plume)
Girl in the Glass by Jeffrey Ford (Dark Alley)
Kiss Her Goodbye by Allan Guthrie (Hard Case Crime)
Six Bad Things by Charlie Huston (Ballantine Books)

BEST FACT CRIME

Rescue Artist: A True Story of Art, Thieves, and the Hunt for a Missing Masterpiece  by Edward Dolnick (HarperCollins)
The Elements of Murder:  The History of Poison by John Emsley (Oxford University Press)
Written in Blood by Diane Fanning (St. Martin's True Crime)
True Story:  Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa by Michael Finkel (HarperCollins)
Desire Street:  A True Story of Death and Deliverance in New Orleans by Jed Horne (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

BEST CRITICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL

Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel:  How to Knock 'em Dead with Style by Hallie Ephron (Writer's Digest Books)
Behind the Mystery:  Top Mystery Writers Interviewed by Stuart Kaminsky, photos by Laurie Roberts (Hot House Press)
The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Novels edited by Leslie S. Klinger (W.W. Norton)
Discovering the Maltese Falcon and Sam Spade:  The Evolution of Dashiell Hammett's Masterpiece, Including John Huston's Movie with Humphrey Bogart  edited by Richard Layman (Vince Emery Productions)
Girl Sleuth:  Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her by Melanie Rehak (Harcourt)

BEST SHORT STORY

"Born Bad" – Dangerous Women by Jeffery Deaver (Mysterious Press)
"The Catch' – Greatest Hits by James W. Hall (Carroll & Graf)
"Her Lord and Master" – Dangerous Women by Andrew Klavan (Mysterious Press)
"Misdirection" – Greatest Hits by Barbara Seranella (Carroll & Graf)
"Welcome to Monroe" – A Kudzu Christmas by David Wallace (River City Publishing)

BEST JUVENILE

Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers)
Wright & Wong: The Case of the Nana-Napper by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz (Penguin Young Readers – Sleuth/Razorbill)
The Missing Manatee by Cynthia DeFelice (Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers)
Flush by Carl Hiassen (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
The Boys of San Joaquin by D. James Smith (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books)

BEST YOUNG ADULT
Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams (HarperCollins – Laura Geringer Books)
Last Shot by John Feinstein (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
Quid Pro Quo by Vicki Grant (Orca Book Publishers)
Young Bond, Book One:  Silverfin by Charlie Higson (Hyperion/Miramax Books)
Spy Goddess, Book One:  Live & Let Shop by Michael Spradlin (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

BEST PLAY
River's End by Cheryl Coons (Book and Lyrics), Chuck Larkin (Music) (Marin Theatre Company)
Safe House by Paul Leeper (Tennessee Stage Company)
Matter of Intent by Gary Earl Ross (Theater Loft)
Mating Dance of the Werewolf by Mark Stein (Rubicon Theatre)

BEST TELEVISION EPISODE TELEPLAY
CSI – "A Bullet Runs Through It, Parts 1 and 2", Teleplay by Richard Catalani & Carol Mendelsohn
CSI – "Grave Danger", Teleplay by Anthony Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn, Naren Shankar.  Story by Quentin Tarantino
Law & Order:  Special Victims Unit – "911", Teleplay by Patrick Harbinson
Sea of Souls – "Amulet", Teleplay by Ed Whitmore
Wire in the Blood – "Redemption", Teleplay by Guy Burt

BEST MOTION PICTURE SCREENPLAY
Crash - Story by Paul Haggis; Screenplay by Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco (Lions Gate Films)
A History of Violence - Screenplay by Josh Olson, based on the Graphic Novel by John Wagner & Vince Locke (New Line Productions)
The Ice Harvest - Screenplay by Richard Russo & Robert Benton, based on the Novel by Scott Phillips (Focus Features)
Match Point - Screenplay by Woody Allen (BBC)
Syriana – Screenplay by Stephen Gaghan, based on the book by Robert Baer (Warner Brothers)

ROBERT L. FISH MEMORIAL AWARD
Eddie Newton, "Home" – EQMM May 2005 (Dell Magazine)

The Mary Higgins Clark Award:

Breaking Faith by Jo Bannister (Allison & Busby Ltd.)
Dark Angel by Karen Harper (MIRA Books)
Shadow Valley by Gwen Hunter (MIRA Books)

Congratulations to all the nominees. The winners will be announced at the Edgar Awards Gala Banquet at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York on April 27.

Comments

[Laura]

So many good writers on this list! But I'm going to single out Pelecanos, who wrote one of my favorite books in 2005. Nothing could make me happier than seeing him on the list.

[Dave White]

Big ups to my man, mr. guthrie!

[Fiona]

Connelly, Pelecanos, Jess Walter, all excellent news (particularly Jess Walter; it's a surprise but it's a nice and deserved one).

But Tess Gerritsen and no Laura Lippman? I'm sorry, but WTF? Am I thinking about the same writer as the judges actually read? Gerritsen's entertaining and can spin a plot, but she's hardly Best Novel standard. Lippman should be there instead, and that's just fact.

The Lincoln lawyer, though... there's your winner. Stake my reputation (ha!) on it.

[Tess Gerritsen]

Yeah, WTF? What am I doing on this list?

[JDRhoades]

"Big ups to my man, mr. guthrie!"

Seconded.

[JDRhoades]

"Yeah, WTF? What am I doing on this list?"

'Cause you rock, T.
But Laura should be there...too, not instead.

[Ray]

And thirded.

[Kevin Wignall]

Well-earned recognition for Al. Devaluing omission of Laura.

On a personal note, I'm glad to see Robert Randisi's "Greatest Hits" collection get two of the noms for short story, even if they did fail to pick the obvious candidate (ahem). Also answers those who criticize a bias toward EQMM and AHMM.

[Karen Olson]

I agree with Laura that it's great to see Pelecanos on this list. Super book. But I am disappointed Laura's name isn't there, since I absolutely loved her book and thought it was one of the best I've ever read. Fiona's right, though, Lincoln Lawyer will probably win.

Am thrilled to see my friend and fellow blogger Alison Gaylin's book HIDE YOUR EYES on the list for Best First.

[Laura]

I'm also vey fond of Melanie Rehak's book. As Sarah knows, I did an appearance with Melanie at the New York Public Library, but we had never met before. I opened her book dutifully a week before the event, but all sense of duty soon vanished. It's a delightful read, smart and well-researched. I also think it helps to correct the historical record. The credit for Nancy's creation has long been an all-or-nothing story; this makes it clear that Nancy had two mommies.

[Cornelia Read]

Hugely disappointed not to see Laura on Best and Louise Ure on Best First lists.

Going back to bed now.

[Larry Gandle]

Yeah I don't know what Tess Gerritsen is doing on that list either. She is strictly best seller material. It's a disgrace! Actually, I never read her but will now. I'm sorry but I can't stop laughing sometimes we can put our foot in our mouth and I'm sure Fiona is redfaced. It goes to show you- you never know who is reading these posts.
Now, seriously-
I think this is one of the best list of nominees in both best novel and best paperback that I could remember. Mike Connolly and Tom Cook are truly superb but I am thrilled George Pelecanos is finally nominated.

[Jeanne Ketterer]

Congratulations, Tess!

Congratulations to all nominees. Sad to read an ungracious comment first thing on Sunday morning.

Jeanne

[Steve Miller]

I'm very pleased to see Stuart Kaminsky's "Behind the Mystery" nominated, especially at the same time he's receiving The Grand Master. It's a somewhat understated piece of work, but I keep going back to it all the time. And, I can't help but be thrilled for Reed, Al and Charlie in the PBO category. For once, I like the odds that I'll be pleased with the final result.

[Otis]

Congrats to "Sunshine" Allan Guthrie. Well deserved.

[David J. Montgomery]

I admired Gerritsen's book and am surprised, but pleased to see it nominated. The Connelly and Pelecanos books are also top-shelf.

Best First Novel seems a little weak, but it wasn't a great year for debuts.

Very happy to see Reed Coleman's terrific "James Deans" nominated for Best Paperback. Very deserving.

[Jenny D]

Yes, I too am rooting for "James Deans," that PBO list is great all round but Coleman is such a wonderful writer & that's a GREAT book. I'm also rooting for "Die a Little" which was fabulously good. Although in general Pelecanos is more of an absolute-favorite-writer of mine, I like Connelly a ton as well & I thought that perhaps "Lincoln Lawyer" is a slightly stronger book than "Drama City," which was excellent but not in my opinion as good as a couple of Pelecanos' last few. (And though I can't see it happening, if "Red Leaves" won it would seem to me a great injustice.)

[CAAF]

I'm rooting for "Die A Little" too — a fabulous book. (I first heard about Abbott when she was guest-blogging here.)

[Kevin Wignall]

Jeanne, the only ungracious comment I see here is your own. Fiona, as far as I'm aware, is a reader, not a writer, and is perfectly entitled to express her opinion on any book or writer.

This blog is a place for open discussion on crime, particularly for readers of crime, and not just some incestuous crime writers' love-in.

As it happens, several other people have expressed surprise at seeing Tess on the list, despite applauding her work, so without having read "Vanish", it doesn't seem that Fiona is enormously wide of the mark.

Of course, it's nice to see that Tess responded to the original comment with good grace and humour. None of us are beyond being in someone's WTF category, after all.

[Bryon]

Frankly I'm glad to see Laura didn't make the list. She's getting way to big of a head and could use a lesson in humility.

[Lana Lang]

I totally agree with Kevin. Nice to see someone stick up for Fiona.

[Elaine Flinn]

Brian-I hope your post about Laura was made tongue in cheek (even if it is in extremely bad taste), because if it wasn't-then let me add a WTF! Big Head? Laura? A lesson in humility? Laura? Obviously you don't know her-and that is your loss.

I honestly do not know a more down-to-earth, gracious, giving or kinder person than Laura Lippman. And honey, I've been around the horn twice and have met and known more jerks (I'm watching my mouth here)-celebs & regular folks-than you can count. So-suffice it to say-you're waaay off base with that unkind remark and need a good spanking.

[Elaine Flinn]

Bryon, right? Okay, so I got your name wrong.
Excuse me.

[Sarah]

Before any sort of fight breaks out -- not that I think there will be -- the smiley face in Bryon's comment was written in invisible type.

[Elaine Flinn]

I'm relieved to know that, Sarah. Thanks. Maybe he should use the ' :)' next time?

Only my last name is Irish-my genes are Italian. Not the calmest of combinations, I know. :)

[David J. Montgomery]

Bryon's body was just spotted floating down the East River... Local police have been alerted to be on the lookout for a middle-aged Mafioso (Mafiosa?) masquerading as a writer of cozy mysteries.

[Meryl]

I, too, was surprised and disappointed to see Laura's name absent from the list. For those of you who don't read Miss Snark's blog, she recently had some very nice words for Laura. Miss Snark previously had expressed her fondness for Laura's writing. That prompted a reader to ask if Miss Snark would want to represent someone whose reading she really enjoyed.

Miss Snark answered:

"Like if Laura Lippman needed some Snark in her corner? Well, she doesn't, she's ably represented as they say "elsewhere" but if we might just use the Divine Miss L as an example, hell yes, I'd take her on. Do I look insane? Don't answer that till I wash my face and comb my rat tail hair.

Yes, it would absolutely change how I read her books. Right now I pounce on them, retire to the settee on a Friday night, turn off the phone, and just dive in. I leave all my objectivity in the refrigerator to chill out. I read LL strictly for fun and pleasure. She's like a delicious torte: rich, yummy, and satisfying."

I can only hope that someday my work will be compared to a delicious torte.

[Lana Lang]

I guess I'll have to try reading another Laura Lippman novel. I read Baltimore Blues recently and was decidedly underwhelemed.

Part of the reason was due to my expectations -- they were enormous, given the fact that LL has won every mystery award on the planet.

[David J. Montgomery]

"Baltimore Blues" was Lippman's first novel and it shows. Her work has steadily improved since then, making a giant leap even by the second novel. So that book really isn't characteristic of her writing.

I would recommend reading one of her last 3 novels ("Every Secret Thing," "By a Spider's Thread" or "To the Power of Three") to get a good understanding of her writing.

If you don't care for those, then she's not for you. But I think they will appeal to the majority of readers.

[Tess Gerritsen]

Kevin's right, we are all in someone's WTF category (heck, I'm used to being in that category) and I hope Fiona didn't mind that I was needling her a bit. (It's okay, Fiona! I myself am astonished!) I wish the list of Edgar nominations was big enough to encompass all the wonderful books I've read this year -- books that I feel deep down are better than mine.

This is my first ever Edgar nomination, and to be honest, nothing anyone says can really ruin it for me. Everyone has their own taste in books. I do feel, in my heart, that most authors struggle to write the very best book he or she can. I know I do, even if no one else agrees with the quality. We set our own standards, and the most we can hope for is that we connect with readers.

I like to believe that we are all artists, even the writers everyone thinks of as schlocky and commercial, even the writers who sell a ton of books. What is the definition of commercial, after all, but a work that readers feel a connection to -- and buy?

And speaking of commercial -- Michael Connelly sells more copies than all the rest of us combined!

[David Thayer]

Citizen Vince was kind of a sleeper, really enjoyable, well written. I'm pleased for Tess Gerritsen. My favorite Laura Lippamn is Sugar House..I think that's the title, sorry if it isn't.

[Terrill Lee Lankford]

The biggest suprise - to me at least - is not seeing Don Winslow's "THE POWER OF THE DOG" on this list. Not just because of the quality of the book, but also the overwhelming Edgar "buzz" that seemed to be associated with it. I didn't read too many reviews of this book (at least in Blogville) that didn't bring up the Edgar before the review was over. I heard the same comment any time the book was brought up in bookstore conversations.

I'm also surprised no one has mentioned the book here today. How soon they forget.

It's like seeing the Oscar noms last year if we didn't find Jamie Foxx in any category.

And then no one complained about the omission.

[Sarah]

And of course, now that Terrill's brought this up, I'm smacking my head, since I know I was one of the people saying THE POWER OF THE DOG had Edgar nom all over it. So why did I lose track? Good question. But I don't think it has the "elephant in the room" aspect that MYSTIC RIVER did, and perhaps that's why.

[Steve Clackson]

Tess always a class act! Congrats on your first Edgar nomination.

[Laura]

I don't think Larry Gandle will mind saying that I used to be squarely in his WTF category. And that didn't change because I'm so darn charming. He gave me another chance with Every Secret Thing, which he liked. Far more important to me, Larry also liked By a Spider's Thread, which he felt was a significant improvement over the early Tess novels. I like my early work better than Larry did, but I always understood that his criticism was not personal. And the fact that he kept an open mind and gave me a second chance -- well, what more can anyone ask?

My character and I grew up in public. The early Tess books should give people abundance confidence that some publishers do, in fact, provide writers the room to stretch and improve, and that some editors and agents continue to work closely with writers.

As for overlooked books -- perhaps 2005 was a very good year. I found myself thinking that yesterday, as I put my office in order. There was the Winslow book, Karen's SACRED COWS, TILT-A-WHIRL, and 20-odd other titles that I mentioned at my website at the beginning of the month. What would really be depressing is an Edgar list that provoked no discussion.

[David J. Montgomery]

Karen Olson's "Sacred Cows" would have been a worthy Best First Novel nominee. It's a fine novel and quite polished for a debut.

As Laura points out, very wisely, an Edgar list that provokes both praise and disdain is exactly what one would hope for. It proves that the award itself is relevant, and that the books are good enough to motivate their champions to their defense.

It's all good.

[Evil Kev]

It is a sad day when I see people defending a person's right to be rude.

Hey Fiona, you have an opinion and that is great. But when you put someone else down in order to raise someone else up, that just makes you a jerk. So until a FIONA nomination becomes an honor, keep your opinions to yourself.

The tragedy with free of speech is that seldom it is tempered with thoughtful analysis. People with intelligence and respect do not show such public disrespect for a fellow author, especially when they have not read the book they are trashing.

It appears this blog, which usually has interesting discussions, has been hijacked by some of Laura Lippman's rudest fans.

I am sure an endorsement from people who act like this is not the kind of attention Laura Lippman or any writer would want.

[steve mosby]

"...when you put someone else down in order to raise someone else up..."

Isn't that the nature of a shortlist for an award? The very existence of it means someone, somewhere, thought these books were better than all the others. It's not disrespectful to state an opinion.

Incidentally, am I the only person pleased to see Thomas Cook on there? :-)

[Sandra Ruttan]

""...when you put someone else down in order to raise someone else up..."

Isn't that the nature of a shortlist for an award? The very existence of it means someone, somewhere, thought these books were better than all the others. It's not disrespectful to state an opinion."

Presumably, the awards have some criteria used for determining who gets a nod and who doesn't. It is not necessarily disrespectful to state an opinion on the subject, but one could say, "I'm shocked Laura Lippman wasn't on the list" and leave it there, instead of slagging a writer publicly. The person being addressed has stated THEIR OPINION as though it is fact. Even putting the words "in my opinion" into the comments would have made them more tasteful.

There's a difference between making the remarks personal and objective. I do hope those who feel the need to criticize writers so publicly - this is not my only experience with this - write a book one day and get the chance to see how it feels. I can live with,"this book didn't work for me and here's why" or "this particular style doesn't appeal to me" in public, but "Gerritsen's entertaining and can spin a plot, but she's hardly Best Novel standard. Lippman should be there instead, and that's just fact."

I mean, obviously the Edgar judges erred - they forgot to consult the person who knows best.

And for all of you defending that, go read Tess's blog entry about this.

[Kevin Wignall]

"Evil Kev", I'll even defend your right to be rude. I think you're wrong to call Fiona "a jerk" and I think you're wrong to stamp down on free expression, but I'll defend your right to say it.

And Sandra, where do we draw the line? I've seen plenty of people, here and elsewhere, being rude and dismissive about Dan Brown and there are no complaints.

We're writers, we put ourselves in the public domain and I think readers have every right to express their opinion accordingly. True, I think we should discourage malicious or personal postings, but Fiona seemed to be expressing an honest critical viewpoint of the work. Is that so bad?

I think Tess has handled herself with grace, but that's the only way because anyone involved in the arts has to accept the rough and tumble. The alternative is a Stepford world of self-censorship in which no one admits to hating anything.

[steve mosby]

"Presumably, the awards have some criteria used for determining who gets a nod and who doesn't."

Like what? Sentence-length? Surely it does all come down to personal opinion, even when it's a bunch of personal opinions collected together and averaged out. For me, Fiona's opinion is just as valid. Even though she said "that's a fact" it was pretty clear she was just stating an opinion, because what else could she be doing? I don't believe the book that eventually wins the Edgar is objectively the best book of the year.

And I was going to mention Dan Brown - and, maybe risking my neck a bit here - James Patterson, as I've also seen plenty of uncontested abuse of them on the net. Perhaps the main problem is that Tess got to read it but, like Kevin said, she handled it with grace and professionalism, and that's that. I've had far worse comments than that thrown at me, but what can you do? You don't have a right to be liked.

At the end of the day, it's a discussion of a shortlist and saying "I'm shocked Laura Lippman isn't on it" is something of a cop-out. Unless you're going to state which book she'd replace, are you actually saying anything except "I like Laura Lippman"?

[David J. Montgomery]

"The person being addressed has stated THEIR OPINION as though it is fact. Even putting the words "in my opinion" into the comments would have made them more tasteful."

Adding "in my opinion" to what you write is one of the most pointless and downright silly contributions that the internet has made to the English vernacular. Who else's opinion would you expect a person to be offering?

Anytime you make a statement that this is good, or that is bad, or that should have happened, or that shouldn't have happened, you're stating an opinion. The Edgar nominations are the collective opinion of 5 people who voted on a list of books.

Fiona's opinion came across a little harsh (and likely harsher than she intended -- I know her and she's a sweet person), but let's keep a little perspective here.

[Sandra Ruttan]

I also know Fiona, in a manner of speaking. And consequently, evilkev is familiar with her, because he's my husband. And he said what he said to prove a point, right or wrong, whether he succeeded or not (which doesn't seem likely).

The point here is that people used to have some sense of discretion. I can even live with someone saying, "I don't like Laura Lippman" or "I don't like Tess Gerritsen." Throwing Dan Brown into it isn't really relevant - he's not the one being slagged in this discussion, but feel free to defend him elsewhere. I've done my share of forum fighting on this slagging issue, and pretty much given up on forums as a result.

But to say its wrong that one got a nomination, to say they don't belong? To say, "WTF?" in a public space? Well, if you've got a right to put out your opinion in a public space, be prepared some people will think you're a jerk, badly behaved, rude, ignorant, or whatever. It's so nice that someone comes on and defends a person that did make remarks that were rude, and who is defending Tess Gerritsen, who handled it with class? And if you read her blog post, you might actually know she was hurt by it.

Now, that bothers me. Because I don't like to see people trampled on. You want to put your opinions out there, get your own blog and then you can say whatever you want and nobody can challenge it. It's your space, nobody's forced to come read it.

But put your 2 cents out someplace public, you've opened yourself up to criticism. Just like all the published writers out there who get it dished to them daily.

It would be nice if free speech was tempered by common sense. Steve, you're an author. Can you not think for a second how it would feel to read this? No doubt you have read people criticize your work? Or is this a mechanism for dismissing the nominations because you aren't on the list?

Anyone who's gone to school knows that there is a standard for good writing in the English language. And I've blogged about how I evaluate stories on my blog today. Six areas of specific criteria.

If there was no standard at all, then would anyone care about who was nominated for the awards or who won them? Surely not. It would just be the latest round of pats on the back in someone's little club.

I'm not trying to be rude, but nothing burns me more than seeing people attack thoughtlessly, unnecessarily.

And saying someone doesn't belong is quite different than what the awards nomination list does, because they don't also publish a list of, "You thought you should be here, you hack writer? No, you're a wannabe that'll never cut it" list.

You don't need to cut someone else down to elevate someone else.

And if its something you wouldn't say to someone's face, then maybe you should think twice about posting it? Because these are just words, that can't be tempered with tone of voice, or a facial expression. You can't see the tears in my eyes as I type this, so maybe you just can't understand how DEEPLY OFFENDED I am on Tess's behalf. And I think it's neither wrong of me to feel that, or to say it.

[Kevin Wignall]

Hmm, I'm probably adding to the molehill by replying, but really, I think you're making a mountain of all this unnecessarily.

Firstly, looking back over the comments, Fiona hasn't objected to being attacked. I don't know her, but I know that she comments here on a regular basis and in a cogent and informed, if opinionated, way. And to answer another point, if I read you correctly, I not only defended Fiona's right to express an opinion, but also praised Tess for the way she handled the criticism. Incidentally, you say Dan Brown isn't relevant - well of course he is, because Fiona didn't respond to Tess, she posted before Tess did. So let's just take a step back - if Dan Brown had been shortlisted for an Edgar, I'm guessing there would have been uproar on this blog. If Dan himself had subsequently responded in exactly the same way, would you be shedding tears for him? I don't think so, and I doubt he or Tess would expect it.

I read Tess's blog, and it's touching. She wants to be accepted - well, she's been accepted by the thousands who buy her books and by the Edgar committee. So I'm sure she can handle the odd critical comment. I don't have the readership or the Edgar nom, and even some of my closest friends hate my books, but Sandra, that's the way it is - you can't please all the people... etc. etc..

Fiona, I hope you're reading. Feel free to be rude about me and my books any time you like. Thank GOD for people who feel strongly about books, who love and hate and feel passionate. And thank God they feel able to express themselves here.

[Sandra Ruttan]

Well, since it's clear it is okay to attack an author, but defending one is "over-reacting", now I've got the ground rules down.

I'd say thank God for people who feel strongly about books, but really, if someone you didn't know walked up to you in a store and said, "That shirt with those pants? WTF were you thinking?" and then followed you to work and said, "You did this this and this, WTF is wrong with you?" you might see my point.

Or maybe there's something wrong with me and I should run around criticizing everyone who falls short of my personal standards on a daily basis. Surely that'll make me the most-loved person in the world.

I've seen Laura Lippman come out swinging in defense of authors who've been publicly attacked on other forums. I really can't imagine (though admittedly I don't know her well) that she'd feel good about this conversation at all, but regardless, I don't. I'll remove myself from this, since it isn't my scene. Clearly, I don't belong here.

[David J. Montgomery]

Since when is it attacking an author to criticize their work?

That's just nonsense.

[Kevin Wignall]

Sandra, it's obvious that you're greatly vexed by this issue, even if I must confess that I didn't fully catch the drift of your last comment.

But I'm afraid one of the victims of free speech is the sensitivity of people like yourself. Maybe it's a cultural thing - I'm English and none of the things said above seem particularly rude to me, and indeed, the English are spectacularly rude to the people they like the most, as you'll know from Stuart's or John's blogs. Frankly, I really do think you need to lighten up a little.

And Fiona, if you're still reading (!), feel free to criticize my shirt/pant combinations any time (I mean that in the US sense - I'm serious about my underwear).

[Kevin Wignall]

Oops, British. Sorry, Stuart.
K

[steve mosby]

Sandra – I don’t want to continue the discussion against your wishes, but you did ask me some questions that I feel entitled to answer. I don’t want to talk about myself, but yes, I’ve received incredibly bad reviews and comments and, yes, I know how it feels. Genuinely, not that big a deal. Criticising someone’s book, however strongly, is not an attack in any way, shape or form on them as a person.

But Fiona’s comment wasn’t even especially bad. All she really said was that, in her opinion, Tess’s novel wasn’t up to the standard of being in the five best of the year. At worst, she implied that her writing style isn’t good enough for her to be considered in that kind of company. Unless you have an obscene ego, neither of those things are even insults. On this board, Tess has reacted very well. I certainly couldn’t bring myself to feel offended or saddened on her behalf. She is successful enough, I imagine, to support herself writing, has lots of fans and an Edgar nomination. One person has criticised her writing. What’s the problem here? I just can’t see where any possible trauma could come from, or why there’s a need to defend anyone from anything. Disagree with Fiona, maybe, but don’t argue about her right to say if she doesn’t like something.

“And saying someone doesn't belong is quite different than what the awards nomination list does, because they don't also publish a list of, "You thought you should be here, you hack writer? No, you're a wannabe that'll never cut it" list.”

No, but the judges clearly thought that hundreds of other books and writers weren’t as good as these five novels this year. That’s what the shortlist means, if you have any confidence in the award. Anyway, Fiona didn’t say what you’re implying and, even if she had done, so what? People would happily (I’m assuming) say that Dan Brown wasn’t a good enough writer to be on the list. People would say the same about me. So defend Tess as a writer if you want. Say “I don’t agree, she’s got every right to be on the list. Laura Lippman is only the sixth best writer in the world”.

“Or is this a mechanism for dismissing the nominations because you aren't on the list?”

Sandra, do you imagine I care? That’s a cheap shot that I don’t think (?) I did anything to deserve. In all honesty, if my name ever appeared on the list, I’d assume someone mistyped “Mosley”. :-)

[Lana Lang]

David M., thanks for your recommendations about good Laura Lippman books to read. I'll put "To the Power of Three" on my reading list. Most people seem to think that's her best book.

I feel somewhat guilty that all my favorite crime writers are men, so I'll give LL another shot.