Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind: The 2007 Barry Awards

Picks of the Week

Harry Dolan: Bad Things Happen
BAD THINGS HAPPEN is a nifty debut, cleverly told and unfurled from the very first line: "The shovel has to meet certain requirements" on through meeting "the man who calls himself David Loogan." There are reasons for concealment, just as there are reasons the editor of a mystery magazine bearing little resemblance to EQMM or AHMM might bring him into the fold, thus catalyzing a series of murderous events. The twists come quickly and the dialogue is sharp and if it falls apart slightly at the end, no matter - I want to read much more from Dolan from now on.
Ian MacKenzie: City of Strangers: A Novel
MacKenzie's debut novel reminded me a lot of Paul Auster's NEW YORK TRILOGY, whether it was intended or not, in terms of his choice of words, the thrust of the narrative and the existential nature of the main character (whose first name, incidentally, is Paul) caught up in a snowballing sequence of strange and violent events in and around New York City. MacKenzie straddles the line between thriller and internal examination of a man's failings, and his ability to do so establishes him as a young writer of serious talent and future.
Megan Abbott: Bury Me Deep
In a word: amazing. In more words: Megan Abbott, who has never delivered anything less than an excellent novel, exceeds expectations and takes a very bold and very necessary step forward both in the quality of the prose, the development of her characters and especially in portraying how obsession seeps into the very soul of people, transforming them into their worst nightmares all too easily. Just read this book. And then tell many others to do so as well.
Ninni Holmqvist: The Unit
Understandably, echoes of THE HANDMAID'S TALE are hard to ignore in this dystopic examination of a society where fertility is so high a priority that older, single, marginal women are shut away in secret locales to live out the rest of their lives in seemingly perfect harmony - at least, until the "donations" begin. But Holmqvist's marvelous book doesn't browbeat her thesis into the reader and smartly expands her ideas to look at the plight of all marginalized folk, women and men alike, and how the promise of comforts can be the most horrifying of all. Prepare to be disturbed, but prepare further to think about the ramifications.
Paula Froelich: Mercury in Retrograde
This is possibly the most perfect novel for today's economically challenged times. Why? Because it has plenty of glitz and glamor and blind items, as befitting a narrative by the deputy editor of Page Six, but Froelich isn't arch or snarky or acid-tongued in the slightest. Her trio of protagonists land in all manner of embarrassing situations but they aren't played for mean-spirited laughs. The New York here is something of a fantasy-land, but not so far off the mark that it's completely unbelievable. Most of all it's clear Froelich remains sincere and optimistic about her chosen city, and has retained her sense of fun. So no need to check your brain at the door, but sometimes it just needs to chill out and relax.

September 28, 2007

The 2007 Barry Awards

Mystery News and Deadly Pleasures are pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 Barry Awards. The Barry Awards are named for of one of the most ardent and beloved ambassadors of mystery fiction, Barry Gardner, and are voted on by the readers of Mystery News and Deadly Pleasures.

The 11th Annual Barry Awards presentation took place at the opening reception at Bouchercon in Anchorage, Alaska on September 27, 2007. This is the first year that Mystery News has joined Deadly Pleasures in co-sponsoring the Barry Awards.

Best Novel - The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos

Best First Novel - Still Life by Louise Penny

Best British Mystery Novel - Priest by Ken Bruen

Best Thriller - The Messenger by Daniel Silva

Best Paperback Original - The Cleanup by Sean Doolittle

Best Short Story - "The Right Call" by Brendan DuBois

The Don Sandstrom Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom was presented to Beth Fedyn.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Posted at 07:30 AM in World of Mystery | Permalink

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451af9169e200e54effee2a8834

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference The 2007 Barry Awards:

Comments

Some very nice choices, as the Barrys usually are. (It's so refreshing when awards are given to books I've not only heard of, but read.)

Congrats to all!

Posted by: David J. Montgomery | September 28, 2007 at 08:47 AM

Ditto what David said. And since I haven't read the Doolittle, but have enjoyed the others, "The Cleanup" has now joined my TBR list.

Posted by: Clea Simon | September 28, 2007 at 10:55 AM

I got into Anchorage late and got up to the hotel room I'm sharing with Sean Doolittle. It was pretty annoying to see that Barry Award just lying there all casual taunting me. Now I have to hang around with Mr. Big Shot the rest of the weekend.

Victor

Posted by: Victor Gischler | September 28, 2007 at 11:46 AM

Oh, shucks...Victor...let Sean wallow in it, k? I remember the feeling-and it was great.

Congrats to the winners, but then, just being nominated makes one a winner as well.

Posted by: Elaine Flinn | September 28, 2007 at 01:07 PM

Elaine,

I hope it's clear that I'm goofing. Obvioulsy I'm happy for my good pal Sean.

Sean is a great sport and a deserving winner.

Victor

Posted by: victor gischler | September 29, 2007 at 04:32 AM

Congrats to the DHS crew at B'Con who were all recognized for doing such outstanding work this past year.

Posted by: Josephine Damian | September 29, 2007 at 09:55 AM

Victor!
Of COURSE I knew you were kidding! And I know you're thrilled and happy...just kidding back.

Posted by: Elaine Flinn | September 29, 2007 at 12:10 PM

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind

Crime fiction, and more.

About

Follow Me

Picks of the Week

Archived Picks

Archives

Categories

The Harem of Cabana Boys

...And Cabana Girls, Too

Crime Fiction

They Write, They Blog

The Lit Brigade

The Idiosyncratic Part

Stats