The Mystery Writers of America today announced the nominees for the 2010 Edgar Awards, honoring the best in mystery books, films and TV shows. I’ve got a lot of reading to do.

I’ve read only one of the five nominees for Best Novel — Charlie Huston’s “Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death,” which I loved — so I’m looking forward to the other nominated novels by John Hart, Kathleen George, Jo Nesbo and Tim Gautreaux.

The Edgar nominees for “best first novel” and “best paperback original” are where you can find some of the hottest up-and-coming talent in the field. You can see all the nominees here.

(A personal note: I’ve judged Edgar categories twice in the past. They asked me to be on the Best Novel judging panel next year, but I declined. Too busy. The authors who act as judges are required to sort through hundreds of entries.)

• One of the greats of the mystery world has died at age 77. Robert B. Parker, creator of Spenser and Jesse Stone, passed away at his desk. Much more here.
• Mark Your Calendar for Thursday night when a veteran climbing guide will talk about his experiences on Mount Shasta. Chris Carr of Shasta Mountain Guides has spent 16 years exploring the big peak, and will talk about his adventures at 7 p.m. at the visitor center theatre at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Tickets are $5 for adults, $1 for kids and $3 for Turtle Bay members.
• Ugh, this weather. The wind and rain keep on coming as one storm after another moves ashore in Northern California. Forecasts still say Wednesday will be the stormiest day. For more, click our Redding Weather Now button.
• Rules for Successful Living #19: Get a bigger hammer.

Tips appreciated: Send news tidbits to steveb.anewscafe@gmail.com.

417 views