For readers of the 1974 Edgar finalists, the authors took extra care to embed some of the reigning societal and political issues of the time into excellent mysteries and thrillers. While women’s rights were slowly advancing with the passage of Title IX (U.S., 1972) and the Equal Pay Act (Great Britain, 1970), P.D. James poked…
I recently read a quote by author Flannery O’Connor: “The best American fiction has always been regional.” When Tony Hillerman started the eponymous prize, he had no other stipulations for the entrants than that the books must be debut mysteries set in the American Southwest. In that vein, here are a few of my favorite…
We’ve all seen it. A scientific plotline so strong it triggers journalists to hurry off and interview scientists, asking question after breathless question: Can dinosaur DNA be extracted from blood-engorged mosquitos trapped in amber millions of years ago? (Unfortunately, no.) Could AI—artificial intelligence—escape the confines of its program and cause worldwide havoc? (Maybe. Think computer…
Hearts of the Missing is the debut novel from 2017 Tony Hillerman Prize recipient Carol Potenza and marks the first mystery in the Nicky Matthews series. When a young woman linked to a list of missing Fire-Sky tribal members commits suicide, Pueblo Police Sergeant Nicky Matthews is assigned to the case. As the evidence leads her to…
Beautifully written with a riveting plot and a richly drawn, diverse cast of characters, Hearts of the Missing is the mesmerizing debut from 2017 Tony Hillerman Prize recipient Carol Potenza. When a young woman linked to a list of missing Fire-Sky tribal members commits suicide, Pueblo Police Sergeant Nicky Matthews is assigned to the case.…
