The Strand Shows Its Hand

On the heels of this morning’s Petrona Award shortlist announcement comes news about the 2014 Strand Magazine Critics Awards, “recognizing excellence in the field of mystery fiction.” There are two categories of contenders, as follow:

Best Novel:
• The Fever, by Megan Abbott (Little, Brown)
• Jack of Spies, by David Downing (Soho Crime)
• The Secret Place, by Tana French (Viking)
• Fear Nothing, by Lisa Gardner (Dutton)
• Die Again, by Tess Gerritsen (Ballantine)
• After I’m Gone, by Laura Lippman (Morrow)

Best First Novel Nominees:
• Dry Bones in the Valley, by Tom Bouman (Norton)
• Dear Daughter, by Elizabeth Little (Viking)
• The Home Place, by Carrie La Seur (Morrow)
• Ice Shear, by M.P. Cooley (Morrow)
• Confessions, by Kanae Minato, translated by Stephen Snyder (Mulholland)
• The Good Girl, by Mary Kubica (Mira)

We wish all of these contenders the best of luck.

In addition, says the magazine, “Otto Penzler will receive The Strand’s Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to the crime genre. For over four decades Penzler [has] stood as a giant in the crime publishing genre--he founded Mysterious Press in 1975 and has published authors such as Nelson DeMille, Elmore Leonard, Patricia Highsmith, Eric Ambler, and scores of other bestselling authors. He’s also edited dozens of mystery-themed anthologies, which have included original works by Michael Connelly, Jeffery Deaver, Ed McBain, and J.A. Jance. And last but not least, he’s the proprietor of the legendary Mysterious Bookshop in New York City. “I have been at every award ceremony since The Strand Magazine began to honor the stars of the mystery world and have celebrated with those who received these prestigious prizes,” says Penzler. “In all humility, I was stunned to join their ranks and my heart swells with joy and pride.”

This year’s Strand prizes will be handed out during a cocktail party to be held in New York City on July 8.