Theakston's Shortlist

[Sandra mre]

Well, the shortlist has been announced (don't think anyone's mentioned it here, though) and for the record, I'm going to gripe one last time about The Burning Girl not being eligible. 

Now, who to vote for...

Lindsay Ashford - Strange Blood
Stephen Booth - One Last breath
Martin edwards - The Coffin Trail
Susan Hill - The Various Haunts of Man
Val Mcdermid - The Torment of Others
Ian Rankin - Flehsmarket Close

http://www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime/crime_award/Prize%20welcome.html

[Gary ashton]

My vote goes to Mr. Booth  -  the book is superb

Gary   

[NickQ]

It's kind of predictable, but Rankin sets the crime fiction benchmark for me. That said, he's won his share of awards, so I might vote for Stephen Booth.

[ChrisH]

Sandra,

So why isn't THE BURNING GIRL eligible? 

Chris

[Sandra mre]

Chris,

As I understand it, Mark removed himself for consideration because of his role with the festival this year.  I understand why, but still, it's a shame.  Fantastic book.  Amongst my all-time favourites.

Sandra

[ChrisH]

Sandra,

I bought THE BURNING GIRL last week, but haven't started it yet (partly becaus I'm still reading ONE SHOT, and patly because I haven't yet read (got) LAZYBONES). But, if it's anything like Mark's first two, and LIFELESS, it will be another CORKER!! Think I'll read Mr MacBride's COLD GRANITE first cos that looks promising too.

Just checked your website. Looks good. There ARE quite a few writers on this board, aren't there?!! TALENT GALORE!! 

Chris

[betty]

I've only read one of the short list and that Val's I have Ian Rankin's but am only half way reading his books in order and I don't think I've ever read any of the others although possibly Susan Hill - god I'll definitely have to get an overdraft before Harrogate now

[Jason71]

I wonder why Reg Hill's The Stranger House did not make it into the list.This was easily the best crime book of last year
            Wont make any comments about Susan Hill

[Sandra mre]

Chris, thanks re: the site (was the intro working for you, btw?)

The Burning Girl and Cold Granite are both amongst my favourite reads from last year, as well as A Good Day to Die.  Can't go wrong with any of them, in my opinion.  And I would expect to see Cold Granite, A Good Day to Die and Lifeless on the list for next year.

[ChrisH]

Sandra,

Yep, the into worked fine.

So, I should look forward to reading COLD GRANITE and THE BURNING GIRL by the sounds of it.

Chris

[Tragicfarinelli]

Gotta be Val's tremendous 'Torment Of Others'