Best Books to Read According to Contest Judges (and me!)
Today I’m sharing 9 books by friends of the Mystery Ahead newsletter (and 1 by yours truly) that are on Killer Nashville’s list of Top Ranked Books of 2023, as reviewed by judges for the Silver Falchion Award.
You can see the full list here: https://www.killernashville.com/2024-silver-falchion-award-top-picks
It goes without saying that the 10 below are all highly recommended!
Top Ranked Action Adventure
DEAD CERTAIN DOUBT by Jim Nesbitt
Hard living Texas PI tangles with Mexican cartel when he hunts for missing girl.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/doubt2023
Top Ranked Comedy
A CRAFTY COLLAGE OF CRIME by Lois Winston
Crafts editor Anastasia Pollack must solve a vineyard murder on her honeymoon.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/crafty2024
Top Ranked Western
RECKONING by Baron Birtcher
Small town sheriff in 1970’s Oregon uncovers greed, corruption and dirty cops.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/reck2023
Top Ranked Cozy
PUPPY LOVE by Mike Faricy
PI Dev Haskell hunts for valuable dog and her puppies with hilarious results.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/pup2024
Top Ranked Historical
REVENGE AT THE GALLIANO CLUB by Carmen Amato
In 1926, widow of a Chicago mobster is determined to find her sister’s killer.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/revenge2023
Top Ranked Historical
POSTER GIRL by Shelley Blanton-Stroud
During WWII, columnist discovers deadly opposition to female welders.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/post2024
Top Ranked Historical
ARSENIC AT ASCOT by Kelly Oliver
Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie in this clever locked-room mystery.
Find it on Amazon: https://geni.us/arsenic2024
Top Ranked Investigator
REFLECTIONS IN A DRAGON’S EYE by Bradley Harper
Baltimore cops search for killer using dragon myth to hide crimes.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/reflect2024
Top Ranked Investigator
LETHAL BLUES by Randy Weir
A friend enlists Denver PI Jarvis Mann in the fight against the opioid crisis.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/blues2024
Top Ranked Mainstream
STOLEN DIARY by Kathryn Lane
A child prodigy uncovers explosive family secrets.
Find on Amazon: https://geni.us/diary2024
