And the Arthur Ellis Award nominees are…

The shortlists for the annual awards given by the Crime Writers of Canada were announced last night. They are:

Best Novel

Gail Bowen, The Last Good Day (McClelland & Stewart)

Barbara Fradkin, Fifth Son (RendezVous Press)

Lyn Hamilton, The Magyar Venus (Berkley Prime Crime)

Peter Robinson, Playing with Fire (McClelland & Stewart)

Mark Zuehlke, Sweep Lotus (Dundurn)

Best First Novel

Mel Bradshaw, Death in the Age of Steam (RendezVous Press)

Jon Evans, Dark Places (HarperCollins Canada)

Rick Gadziola, Raw Deal (ECW Press)

Linda L. Richards, Mad Money (MIRA Books)

Mark Sinnett, The Border Guards (HarperCollins Canada)

Best Short Story

Cecilia Kennedy, “The Robbie Burns Revival” in The Robbie Burns Revival (Broken Jaw Press)

Dennis Murphy, “Sound of Silence” in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (December 2004)

Dennis Murphy, “Death of a Dry-Stone Wall” in Storyteller (Summer 2004)

Coleen Steele, “Sunnyside” in Storyteller (Summer 2004)
Leslie Watts, “Crocodile Tears” in Revenge: A Noir Anthology (Insomniac Press)

Best Non-Fiction

Pierre de Champlain, Mobsters, Gangsters and Men of Honour (HarperCollins Canada)
Peter Edwards, Night Justice: The True Story of the Black Donnellys (Key Porter Books)
Max Haines, Instruments of Murder (Viking Canada)
Matthew Hart, The Irish Game: A True Story of Crime and Art (Viking Canada)
Chris Mathers, Crime School: Money Laundering (Key Porter Books)

Best Juvenile

Susan Cliffe, Thread of Deceit (Sumach Press)
Katherine Holubitsky, The Hippie House (Orca Book Publishers)

Shelley Hrdlitschka, Kat’s Fall (Orca Book Publishers)

Carrie Mac, The Beckoners (Orca Book Publishers)

Curtis Parkinson, Sea Chase (Tundra Books)

Best Crime Writing in French

Jean-Pierre Charland, La Souris et le rat (Vents d’Ouest)

Jacques Diamant, Le Transmetteur (Stanké)

Ann Lamontagne, Les Douze Pierres (Vents d’Ouest)

Louise Lévesque, Virgo intacta (La Veuve noire)

Pauline Vincent, La Femme de Berlin (Libre Expression)

Congratulations to all the nominees.  The winners will be announced at a ceremony held in Toronto at the Mysteriously Yours…Dinner Theatre in Toronto on June 9.

Best First Novel looks to be an extremely tough category, and I’ve

actually read the majority of the nominees as well — Linda Richards

(of January Magazine fame) has written a swell debut with MAD MONEY,

Jon Evans’s first effort was a great thriller, and Mark Sinnett really

delivered something very special with THE BORDER GUARDS. I’ve also heard excellent things about Gadziola’s book, though I’ve not had the chance to read it as yet.

Best Novel is a healthy mix of regional and more continental fare. Peter Robinson is a regular, and Barbara Fradkin’s series has really established itself as one to watch. It’s also great to see Gail Bowen back in form, and Lyn Hamilton has had a fair amount of success in the US. It should be quite interesting to see who takes this.