A Case of Hometown Blues is a FINALIST

I am honored and thrilled to announce that “A Case of Hometown Blues” is a finalist in the first round of the Kiss of Death Chapter’s Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in the Mystery/Suspense — Published Division. There are several categories but I was in the Mainstream/Mystery/Suspense category. The winner will be announced at the Romance Writers of America Conference in Anaheim, California in July.

It is even more of an honor because I have read both Linda Castillo and Lois Winston and love their books although I have not read “Breaking Silence” yet. I will have to read the others! Here are the finalists in Mainstream/Mystery/Suspense.

Linda Castillo – Breaking Silence

W. S. Gager – A Case of Hometown Blues

Julie Kramer – Killing Kate

Elizabeth Voss – The Winslow Incident

Lois Winston – Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun

More information on the other categories or the contest can be found here: http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/pdf/2012PubFinalists.pdf

If you would like to check out the first couple chapters of “A Case of Hometown Blues” go here: Amazon

Or if you would like to buy it: Amazon   or Barnes and Noble   

Wondering what it is about, here is a synopsis:

When Pulitzer-winning reporter Mitch Malone's editor presses him for a favor, Malone breaks his vow to never return to his hometown. It seemed simple enough--lead a seminar for Flatville, MI's newspaper, keep a low profile and get back to the city post haste. But memories of his parents' death swarm him, and, to avoid solitude, he stops for a beer. In the crowded bar, Mitch is dismayed to see many of his former classmates--including the still-lovely Homecoming Queen, Trudy. Once the object of his teenage crush, Trudy joins Mitch. He quickly realizes she is upset and inebriated. Always the gentleman, Mitch sees her safely home, and returns to his B&B, still trying to shake memories of his parents' sad demise. The next day, he is stunned to learn Trudy was murdered and he is the prime suspect. The locals treat the murder charge as a slam dunk, and Mitch realizes he must track down the real killer to keep his butt out of jail. As he investigates, facts he thought he knew about his family unravel, and danger ratchets up. Can Mitch discover the truth that will allow his parents to rest in peace, or will he be resting with them?

Wish me luck!