The latest best sellers you need to read

I'll be on my way to the Malice Domestic conference in Bethesda, Maryland, at the end of April. The books on my recommended reading list are the nominees for this year's Agatha Awards. There are six categories: Best Contemporary Mystery Novel; Best Historical Mystery Novel; Best First Mystery Novel; Best Children's Young Adult Mystery Novel; Best Mystery Short Story; and Best Mystery Nonfiction. I've got one book by my bed; one in my purse; and one on my Kindle. There are five books in each category. I hope to read most of the novels in three categories, and the five stories.

So far, in the Best Contemporary category I've read "The Raven Thief" by Gigi Pandian, "Wined and Dined in New Orleans" by Ellen Byron, and I'm just starting "Helpless" by Annette Dashofy.

In the Historical category, I've finished "I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died" by Amanda Flower, and "The Mistress of Bhatia House" by Sujata Massey. I think my next choice will be "Death Among the Ruins" by Susanna Caulkins, but I haven't started it yet.

For Best First Mystery Novel, I finished "Dutch Threat" by Josh Pachter, and am almost through "Mother Daughter Murder Night" by Nina Simon.

Short stories are on the Malice Domestic site for attendees to read prior to the conference. I read "The Knife Sharpener" BY Shelley Costa, and "A Good JUdge of Character" by Tina de Bellegarde.

Wish me luck with my reading goal; I'll let you know how far I get. And after the awards are announced at the conference, I'll report on the winners!

Till next time - Sue