Regular or occasional readers of this blog can check here the 2011 CWA International Dagger Shortlist. You can also find below my posts on 5 of the 7 candidates. I’m planning to read soon The Saint-Florentin Murders by Jean-François Parot, my last acquisition, but River of Shadows by Valerio Varesi does not appeal to me.
- The Wings of the Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri
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Needle in a Haystack (La aguja en el pajar) by Ernesto Mallo (1)
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La aguja en el pajar / Needle in a Haystack by Ernesto Mallo (2)
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La aguja en el pajar /Needle in a Haystack by Ernesto Mallo (y/and 3)
- Three Seconds by Anders Roslund & Börge Hellström
- An Uncertain Place by Fred Vargas
- Death on a Galician Shore by Domingo Villar
I’ve very much enjoyed reading Camilleri, Vargas, Villar and Mallo, but if I have to pick up a favourite this will be Needle in a Haystack by Ernesto Mallo.
A Crime is Afoot 
We agree! Maxine and I picked the Mallo and Spanish isn’t our first language so you can discount any bias. ;o)
Question as to why you don’t want to read River of Shadows?
Kathy, thank you very much for your comment. The main reason why I choose not to read Varesi’s “Valley of Shadows” is the lack of time to finish it before the announcement of the winner is made. I have too many books on my TBR list and I would have to buy it. There is also a cheaper paperback edition to be released later on this year and the synopsis did not suit my taste.
Oh, okay. I wondered as I know you try to read much that’s nominated or being discussed on major crime fiction blogs.
Yes, that may happen to me, too, as the last time I looked for this book to order, it was nearly US $50, way too much for one book.
I’ll look for your review later on and if the price goes to a reasonable level later in the year, I’ll get it. My library system just does not get enough global mystery fiction for us avid readers.