Thursday 10 February 2011

Barry Nomination!


some sun, showers and windy, temps 27

Yay - heard yesterday that BURY YOUR DEAD has been nominated for the Barry Award for Best Crime Novel!!! Here's the list for Best Novel and Best First -

The Barry Award Nominations 2011

Best Novel

NOWHERE TO RUN, C. J. Box (Putnam)
CROOKED LETTER, CROOKED LETTER, Tom Franklin (Morrow)
THE LOCK ARTIST, Steve Hamilton (Minotaur)
MOONLIGHT MILE, Dennis Lehane (Morrow)
BURY YOUR DEAD, Louise Penny (Minotaur)
SAVAGES, Don Winslow (Simon & Schuster)

Best First Novel

GUTSHOT STRAIGHT, Lou Berney (Morrow)
ROGUE ISLAND, Bruce DeSilva (Forge)
THE POACHER'S SON, Paul Doiron (Minotaur)
SHERLOCKIAN, Graham Moore (Twelve)
THE HOLY THIEF, William Ryan (Minotaur)
ONCE A SPY, Keith Thomson (Doubleday)

The nominations and Barry Award are coordinated by George Easter and the people at a wonderful publication called Deadly Pleasures Magazine in the US.

It's a terrific list - though, dare I say it - a little short on female writers. I'm never sure what to make of that, and hate to sound petulant and ungrateful for my own nomination - and definitely am always wary of playing the sex card...but it is a curiosity and I put it out there as a question - especially since I know so many mega-talented women crime writers. There are other categories and more women appear there - if you're interested you can go to the Deadly Pleasures website.

Funny sort of time here in Saint Lucia - we've been in sweaters most of the time - but when the sun comes out and we're in it, it's lovely - though still a little cool. I say the temps 27, but that's from the official forecast...I think because we're in a lush a gorgeous forest it is a little cooler...and the rain - sometimes torrential - also cools things.

There's also extremely strong winds which kept up awake the night before - howling through the slats in the shutters. It's such fun - there are few windows and those are high up....at ground level there are those tropical shutters that open so that there's little distinction between inside and out. And with a view like that - wow...you can imagine. Our jaw hits the ground every morning.

And speaking of mornings - that photo was taken this morning...again, my dainty feet and well -turned ankles on the low wall. Michael and I were sitting on the verandah outside our bedroom, sipping coffee and delighting in the view. Beautiful morning.

The rain and wind, when they come, seem to come out of nowhere - lash the place for a few minutes, then blow away. Perhaps it's a feature of this place, or perhaps it's a strange year. Our taxi driver said that normally they get little or no rain in February - and that was our experience last year in Saint Lucia.

Well - I'm heading off for another coffee and more gawking at the view...then getting out my Ngaio Marsh and reading. Lovely to have a terrific book to read.

Hope you're managing to relax too - or at least are not too stressed.

15 comments:

danielle-momo said...

Je me demandais justement ce que vous lisiez en vacances.

Et, j'ai eu la meme réaction que vous face au peu de nominations féminines.

Mais ce qui est certain, c'est que vous méritez pleinement cette nomination: bravo!

Mary Vehr Mumaw said...

the contrast between your wintry masthead and the pic of your feet amused me no end ! oh, that glorious blue!!! good luck on your nomination ... now if we readers only had the next book .... blessings.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, bravo, and best of luck! I've just discovered your writing (I began Still Life early this morning after a restless night, tried to stop and do some work, but finally gave it up and went purring back to the world of Three Pines), and I had to thank you. I've been struggling lately - trying to cope with the gradual loss of people I love, people who have been my foundation but are now ravaged by cancer or (more painfully) dementia. So the warmth and kindness that radiate from this book, from you, are a balm. Thank you for the company of wise, real people. Thank you for writing that brings a deep grunt of pleasure. And thank you for a book that radiates (sometimes gentle, sometimes caustic) goodness. It was a blessing for me, right when I needed one.

Brenda Buchanan said...

Congratulations to you on the Barry nomination!

I hope you are enjoying your time there in the sun/wind/showers. It beats the heck out of snow!

Best,

Brenda B. in Maine

Rosemary Harris said...

Congrats! Are you at Anse Chastenet? Jealous on both counts...

lil Gluckstern said...

Just aperfect picture, titled "Relaxing." Yes, Louise's writing helps soften the hard times.

Diane said...

Congratulations! You must be on more lists than off now!

Love the description of wind and rain, reminds me of the scene with Gamache and his wife on night of the terrific thunder and lightning storm.

Wonderful ankles, I'd love to have them.

Donna K Wisconsin said...

Congratulations Louise.

Ankles? Really Louise, it's come to this? (I understand the reason behind the shot..good 'cover') ha

I don't think many of the male authors write with as much depth and variety as you do. If I theorize why more female authors aren't making the list, I'll end up sounding trite and biased I'm afraid.

Congratulations also for bringing some solace to people who find refuge in your books..I can relate.
I once took refuge in Jack Nicholson's voice (during extreme anxiety time when I couldn't even read to relax or escape..try it some time, ha)I kept watching his movies. ALso, Motown music helps..have no clue why.

Still wondering about Rosa..where is she? Is she ok? Will she return?
(tongue in cheek)

Well Congratulations to you and to us, the Super Bowl Winners.

Unknown said...

First of all; congrats!! The nomination is well deserved.

Saint Lucia looks wonderful! Just dealt with 23" of snow here in WI...but did get the Super Bowl win (yah).

I wanted to add to the comments that your books bring such solace. I keep telling my (4) sisters that I feel like I'm being lulled into a calmness that is hard to describe. They say, "But these are murder mysteries, right?!"
It is hard to describe. It is a compelling mystery, and I want to see how it ends...but at the same time, I never want it to end. I just want the tranquility to end.

Thanks,
Vanessa

G.M. Malliet said...

Congratulations on your nomination!

We were in Saint Lucia last month. Fell in love with the entire region. Lucky you, enjoy!

Dana said...

Anonymous - so glad you found the solice of Three Pines and thank you for putting into words what so many readers feel. You have a wonderful journey ahead as you read through all the books. And tell your sisters that sometimes I laugh out loud - reading a murder mystery.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the Barry nomination. I think it is so well deserved. I find your books are so much more that mysteries. There are so many layers and depth to your characters. I just finished BURY YOUR DEAD and loved the intertwining of the 3 stories.The most compelling element is the story of Gamache and his journey of healing. Along the way he confronts his infallibility, his guilt and loss. I just love this character, through all of his life experiences he has become the wise "father".
As I can't be in St.Lucia, I will have to comfort myself with our upcoming week of 50's and 60's.

Sally said...

My neighbour gave me a box of old paperbacks, including about 12 Ngaio Marsh's - love them! I appreciate how in many (all?) she'll list all the characters by name and "position" -so helpful. Think I read it's because of her theatrical background, i.e. like the programme for a play. Your pictures look great!

Miss Diane said...

Bone chance Louise et bravo à ceux et celles en nomination!

Louise Penny Author said...

Merci a tous! Thank you all. What very beautiful message. I cannot tell you how much it means to me to hear that you find comfort in the books. I can think of no greater compliment.

So glad you're enjoying St Lucia.