Agatha - Yippeee!!!!!

Who cares what the weather is - I WON!!!!

Nothing subtle about me.... yay! I woke up with a sore face from smiling, and laughing and just being absolutely joyous.

the whole evening was magical. Michael and I hosted a table with eight really nice people - gave them all hardcover copies of a fatal grace, handmade chocolates from Muriel, in Sutton, and a perpetual calendar - one of the new ones Lise designed. Ordered a couple bottles of wine for the table and settled in for a nice evening.

Mary Higgins Clarke spoke.

William Link spoke.

Parnell Hall spoke.

Rhys Bowen was hilarious and moving and gracious as the master of ceremonies.

And then the awards...the Best Novel is at the very end.

One of the great tragedies in the Malice Domestic community in the past year was the death of one of it's long time directors, and a personal friend of mine - Louise Leftwich. Her brother and sister were invited to speak about her. And then her brother and sister-in-law were asked to give out the awards.

It was simple and dignified and lovely and deeply moving.

When he read our names we all were asked to stand. Donna Andrews, Lorna Barrett, Rhys Bowen, me, and Hank Phillippi Ryan.

And then she read the winner....The Brutal Telling. I was frankly shocked. I totally expected Rhys to win. Indeed, all the novels were terrific and anyone could have won...but I really thought Rhys's was outstanding. But then they called The Brutal Telling.

I remember bringing my hands to my face, covering it. Almost wanting to hide. Not out of fear - but a surfeit of delight. I didn't want that moment to end. But I eventually dropped my hands, and went to the front, veering slightly to hug Rhys, who whispered 'Congratulations'...and gave me a huge smile.

then up to the podium. And what terrible joy to give Louise Leftwich's brother and sister-in-law a hug and kiss.

And then to stand at the podium and look out at 500 people, smiling.

This is my home - my family - with people who celebrate each other...and have been so kind to me. Oh, I need to say too, that it was an astonishing evening for Canadians...how inclusive and generous the americans are!!! They'd give two awards to Canadians...and so embrace us.

The terrific Alan Bradley won for The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.

Mostly, while up there talking, I wanted to thank Michael...for always telling me I was beautiful and brilliant, and loved. No matter what. And I believed him. And I wanted to thank all the people at Malice for embracing not just me, but him too.

Off home later today. What a trip! Thanks for coming along. We didn't see much (anything) of Washington - but it's a trip I'll never forget! And - to add to the amazement and the generosity of the community - this is the first time in history an author has won three Agathas for Best Novel in a row! And i'm here to tell you - it never gets tiring!!!

Did I mention I won the Agatha!!!!!