Agatha Awards!

Snow ending this afternoon (10-15cms fallen), cold and windy, highs minus 8


Well, we just received the BEST news! A FATAL GRACE (Dead Cold in Commonwealth) has been nominated for the AGATHA AWARD for Best Novel!

The nominees are:

The Penguin Who Knew Too Much, by Donna Andrews (St. Martin's Minotaur)
Her Royal Spyness, by Rhys Bowen (Penguin Group)
Hard Row, by Margaret Maron (Grand Central Publishing)
A Fatal Grace, by Louise Penny (St. Martin's Minotaur)
Murder With Reservations, by Elaine Viets (NAL)

Yippeee!

What amazing company - and I have to say I'm both stunned and thrilled. This is voted on by readers, so it's even more significant. The winners are decided at the Malice Domestic convention in Washinton in April. You get a ballot upon registration.

To be considered for an award named after Agatha Christie is deeply meaningful to me. I adore her, as you know - and am indebted to her for hours of entertainment and comfort - and ultimately for a style of writing. My books are tributes, homages, to Dame Agatha.

I honestly didn't expect this, so I was trembling with excitement.

We actaully found out Monday afternoon, but were sworn to secrecy until all the nominees were told. Almost killed me not to tell you about it yesterday. Though it helped that, to celebrate, Michael whisked me off to Hovey Manor for the night. We were already going for breakfast Tuesdfay morning, but we decided - why not? Go Monday night, have a wonderful meal, and celebrate.

I believe in celebrating - you never know when all of this will disappear, after all. And what a gift this nomination is. Especially when you see the others on the shortlist.

We're in Montreal now - scooted in before the storm yesterday. Will write this morning then try to figure out how to get to the Montreal General Hospital for Michael's hearing exam. Snow - it's beautiful, but very hard to navigate.

I really am thrilled about the nomination. And I see that Charles Finch, who wrote, 'A Beautiful Blue Death' is nominated for an Agatha for Best First Novel. I read it in manuscript and wrote an endorsement...great, fun book - with depth. Set in Victorian England. Wonderful main character too. A book well worth buying. I'm not familiar with the other nominees in his catagory, though I'm sure they're good too. But I have a fondness for Mr. Finch.

Hope you're well and thriving - will write again tomorrow.