Charles Finch

My young career as a mystery novelist has had a few definite high points - getting an agent, selling my first book, holding a copy of it in my hands for the first time, finding out that I was on the Library Journal's Best of 2007. A week or two ago I got a phone call which instantly took its place among those great moments when I found out that A Beautiful Blue Death was nominated for an Agatha Award, in the category of Best First Novel.

The Agathas are among the most prestigious mystery novel awards, along with the Edgars and the Anthonys, and I'll be on a panel with the other nominees at Malice Domestic at the end of April. I'm really excited.

One more note: my friend Louise Penny was nominated in the category of Best Novel. Her books, about a police inspector in Quebec, probably comprise my favorite mystery series right now.