Rewarding Mysteries in Monterey

Nominees have been announced in four categories of awards to be presented during the 24th annual Left Coast Crime convention, “Calamari Crime,” scheduled to be held in Monterey, California, from March 20 to 23. Here are the contenders.

The Lefty (best humorous mystery novel):
• The Hen of the Baskervilles, by Donna Andrews (Minotaur)
• The Fame Thief, by Timothy Hallinan (Soho Crime)
• The Last Word, by Lisa Lutz (Simon & Schuster)
• The Good Cop, by Brad Parks (Minotaur)
• Dying for a Daiquiri, by Cindy Sample (Cindy Sample Books)

The Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award (for best historical mystery novel covering events before 1960):
• Heirs and Graces, by Rhys Bowen (Berkley Prime Crime)
• His Majesty’s Hope, by Susan Elia MacNeal (Bantam)
• Dandy Gilver and a Bothersome Number of Corpses, by Catriona McPherson (Minotaur)
• Murder as a Fine Art, by David Morrell (Mulholland)
• Covenant with Hell, by Priscilla Royal (Poisoned Pen Press)
• Leaving Everything Most Loved, by Jacqueline Winspear (HarperCollins)

The Squid (best mystery set within the United States):
• W Is for Wasted, by Sue Grafton (Putnam/Marian Wood)
• Purgatory Key, by Darrell James (Midnight Ink)
• Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger (Atria)
• The Wrong Girl, by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Forge)
• A Killing at Cotton Hill, by Terry Shames (Seventh Street)

The Calamari (best mystery set anywhere else in the world):
• Murder Below Montparnasse, by Cara Black (Soho Crime)
• Hour of the Rat, by Lisa Brackmann (Soho Crime)
• As She Left It, by Catriona McPherson (Midnight Ink)
• How the Light Gets In, by Louise Penny (Minotaur)
• Mykonos After Midnight, by Jeffrey Siger (Poisoned Pen Press)

All of the prizes will be handed out during a banquet on Saturday, March 22, at the Portola Hotel & Spa. The award nominees have been selected by LCC registrants.

According to a convention press release, “This year’s Guests of Honor are authors Cara Black and Louise Penny. Sue Grafton is a Special Guest. Sue Trowbridge is the Fan Guest of Honor. Author Brad Parks will serve as Toastmaster. Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini will receive Left Coast Crime Lifetime Achievement Awards.”