As usual, we have a great slate of nominees for best Contemporary Novel. They are….

Annette Dahofy, Bridges Burned (Henery Press

Margaret Maron, Long Upon the Land (Grand Central Publishing)

Catriona McPherson, The Child Garden (Midnight Ink)

Louise Penny, Nature of the Beast (Minotaur Books)

Hank Phillipi Ryan, What You See (Forge Books)

The list is impressive. I’m starting with the book I read first, Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny. I admit that I thought I might be unduly prejudiced in her favor. I do love her characters in their slice of Canada. Her writing is fun and carries me along. However, I wasn’t intrigued by her plot in this one. I’m not sure why. Of course that doesn’t mean that I won’t be back for more of her books. I’m just not sure that she’ll be able to compete with the other nominees this year. We’ll see.