Joining the List bandwagon

It’s that time of the year again. The Silly Season. And with it, come all those Best Of lists.

I took a little time off reading crime fiction this year while writing SHOT GIRL. I needed to keep my head clear for that one, and I ended up reading a new Anne Boleyn biography by Joanna Denny that was mesmerizing and re-reading Alison Weir’s HENRY VIII: THE KING AND HIS COURT. I’m now deep into David Starkey’s SIX WIVES. Yes, to keep my head clear for writing about murder, I read about a king who beheaded two of his wives. Somehow, it makes sense to me.

But I did read some good crime fiction this year, although not all the books I enjoyed in 2007 were published in 2007.  So my list contains books that are a little bit older, and one that isn’t even out yet. Alison’s TRASHED and Lori’s SHALLOW GRAVE were among my top reads for the year, but in the face of fairness and possible accusations of bias, I’m not including them here.

Here’s my Top 10 list, but in no particular order:

1. RED CAT by Peter Spiegelman.  I love Peter’s John March series, but this book took it to a whole different level.

2. SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn. I hadn’t read this before it was nominated for a Best First Edgar and won a gazillion other awards, but it’s been six months since I read it, and it still haunts me.

3. WHAT THE DEAD KNOW by Laura Lippman. By far one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, and the only non-Henry VIII themed book I made an exception for last spring.

4. PISTOL POETS by Victor Gischler. I couldn’t decided if I liked this more than GUN MONKEYS (which I also read this year), and finally decided that I did, although GUN MONKEYS has the best first line EVER.

5. SOLOMON VS. LORD by Paul Levine. I read this on vacation in Quebec this summer. I hadn’t discovered this series before, but intend to read the rest of it soon. Hilarious.

6. THE CLEANUP by Sean Doolittle. No, this isn’t about anyone spilling a drink on anyone else. It’s one helluva book.

7. SAFE AND SOUND by JD Rhoades. I love Jack Keller. And I can’t wait to see what happens next. Because Dusty has teased us with the ending in this one. I hate that.

8. THE FAULT TREE by Louise Ure. Earlier this year, I had the honor of reading and blurbing this book, which will be out in January. Louise won the Shamus in 2006 for FORCING AMARYLLIS. This one is even better.

9. SHORT CHANGE by Patricia Smiley. The charming Tucker Sinclair is back in her third adventure, but will Deegan be back in the next? Love this series.

10. THE FOLLOWER by Jason Starr. I didn’t always like these characters, but the story was compelling just the same. Made me happy I wasn’t in my 20s and living in Manhattan.

What were your favorite crime fiction reads this year?

Karen

Comments

[J.D. Rhoades]

Karen, thank you so much. I'm walking on air this week...you know the next book's a standalone, though, right?

[David Terrenoire]

Just because you can't stop me, I'm not going to list my favorite books.

Instead, I'm going to list my favorite writers, but not for their books. This is for their generosity.

The fact that I've read and enjoyed their books is just a bonus.

(In no particular order)

1. Dusty Rhoades
2. Stephen Blackmoore
3. Jeff Shelby
4. Lori Armstrong
5. Karen Olson
6. Alison Gaylin
7. Cornelia Read
8. Jim Born
9. Lee Child
10. Laura Lippman
11. Ken Bruen
12. Pat Mullan
13. Ray Banks

I hesitate to send this, only because I know the second I do I'll remember someone I've missed.

To all of you who, Merry Christmas and thank you.

[Karen Olson]

Yes, Dusty, I do know that. I suppose ("sigh") I can wait. Just don't keep your readers waiting too long!

[Karen Olson]

David, this is a lovely holiday comment! I hope we'll be able to meet in person someday.

And I just want to add that my list includes only those books I've actually read this year. There is still an embarrassingly big pile in my office that I haven't gotten to.

And after I posted this, I realized that Toni McGee Causey's Bobbie Faye was among my favorites this year, so she would make No. 11!

[Louise Ure]

Thanks for the shout out, Karen. And thanks again for taking the time in a crazy year to read the galleys.

I'm no good at Best Of lists, but I'd add Richard Aleas's SONGS OF INNOCENCE to your lovely list.

[patty smiley]

Karen, I'm truly touched to see Short Change on that stellar list of books. Thank you. Dead of the Day should be there, too.

[Jeff Shelby]

Really, really hard to choose, but I'd say Peter's Red Cat was the best crime novel I read this yr. Just awesome stuff.

[AlisonGaylin]

Great list Karen. I didn't read as much crime fiction as I wanted to this year, as I was judging true crime for the Edgars. (though the scene in THE FOLLOWER where the killer is having... very disturbing thoughts ...while watching the BBC version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE gets my vote for creepiest scene I've read in a long while. I'll never think of Jane Austen the same way again.)

[Keith Raffel]

Karen, Can't argue with your #1. Red Cat is that good.

[Chris]

I'm going to have to read them since you recommend them. I made my Best of 2007 list on my blog and gave you an award ;)

[Victor Gischler]

Karen = awesome.

VG