BITTER WATER BLOG: The Best Crime Novels of Aught-Nine, According to Me

"Bagley's got the poet's eye, but that doesn't mean everything is prettier in his work. It means the ugly stuff is more vivid. More intense. Like a sudden switch from analog to HD. And that's a trait to very much admire in his work." --Anthony Neil Smith, author of Hogdoggin', Yellow Medicine, The Drummer and Psychosomatic

"When you talk about writers who are right there on the cusp of getting published and earning wider recognition, then Patrick Shawn Bagley's name is right there near the top of the list." --Brian Lindenmuth, Bookspot Central

Thursday, January 7, 2010

The Best Crime Novels of Aught-Nine, According to Me

Because what the world needs is one more "best of" list, I offer mine. These were my favorite new crime novels of 2009, listed in no particular order.

Abandon by Blake Crouch
Black Water Rising by Attica Locke
Sanctuary by Ken Bruen
A Bad Day for Sorry by Sophie Littlefield
Get Real by Donald E. Westlake
Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott
Gutted by Tony Black
Hogdoggin' by Anthony Neil Smith
Slammer by Allan Guthrie
The Coldest Mile by Tom Piccirilli

5 comments:

Paul D. Brazill said...: The ones I've read, I live and most of the others look pretty damn good.; 7/1/10
Paul D. Brazill said...: That was supposed to say 'The ones I've read, I love' all though parts of SANCTUARY were a bit near home...; 7/1/10
Sophie Littlefield said...: Patrick...it is an incredible honor to be on this list. I'll do my very best to live up to it. Thank you!!!!!; 7/1/10
Tom Piccirilli said...: Thanks, brother, much appreciated!; 10/1/10
Patrick Shawn Bagley said...: Sophie and Tom: Thanks for writing such great novels. They'll be reread many times.; 16/1/10